A GED credential can lead you on the way to better academic opportunities and a more promising career path. The GED is equivalent in merit to a high school diploma in the state of Wisconsin.

The GED test is composed of five areas; Science, Social Studies and Mathematics, and two sections on Language Arts, in Reading and Writing. The sections of the exam are mostly given in multiple choice format, except for the second part of Language Arts in Writing, where you will be required to answer a question by composing an essay. In order to pass the GED test, you have to meet a minimum score of 410 on all five sections, as well as make a minimum average score of 450 for the entire test.

There are general requirements for eligibility to take the WI GED. You need to be a registered voter from the state, or should have at least lived there for ten days. Migrant workers, and those whose parents are such, are also eligible. All applicants must be 18 1/2 years old; otherwise they should ensure that their freshman class has just graduated from secondary school. You must not be matriculated in any high school, whether public or private.

There are exceptions to the general requirements. You can take the GED if you are seventeen years old if you have been detained in a correctional institution or if you are matriculated in a federal occupation corps program, provided that you have a written endorsement from the educator of both institutions. If you have a continuing enrolment at a WTCS or CBO program, and you can provide a notice of exemption from regular attendance in your high school, you may also take the GED.

Once you meet these basic requirements, you have to schedule an orientation at your local testing center and set up a meeting with its counselor, in order to consider the options that may be available to you. You may also need to take an assessment test in reading. To determine if you are indeed eligible to take the exam and if you meet all the necessary requirements, get in touch with your local testing center for complete details.

A list of all available testing centers in Wisconsin is provided at dpi.wi.gov/ged_hsed/pdf/ged-testing.pdf. The costs for taking the GED exam may vary, depending on your situation; for instance, if you are an adult and a first-time GED test applicant, the fee costs for 15 dollars. Know more about additional fees which you may need to suffice by getting in touch with a testing center near you.

You can prepare yourself for the GED exam by taking prep classes, usually offered at local adult learning centers or community colleges. You’ll be guided by a teacher during the entire process. Otherwise you may also choose to study on your own, if your personal schedule cannot accommodate preparation classes. There is a wealth of resources at your public library, free of charge. Additional materials are also available at your local bookstore, or at online sites dedicated for the purpose of preparing you for the GED test.