The New York employment market is very competitive, and gaining an edge on the thousands of applicants for the job your vying for can mean the difference between a fulfilling career and a mediocre one. If you have yet to finish high school and would still want to earn the credential, you can qualify for a GED certificate and jumpstart your job prospects, and open up new possibilities for you.

The GED exam offered by the state of New York covers five sections, including Language Arts in both Reading and Writing, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science. Two of these sections are comprised of two parts; the second part of the Language Arts in Writing section requires an answer in essay format which should be composed within forty-five minutes, and the second part of Mathematics does not allow you to use a calculator. You should have a workable skill in information processing, problem solving, and effective reading in order to pass the test which is also offered in Spanish and French, aside from English.

Every section of the New York GED is ranked based on a standard scale of 200-800. You need to get a minimum score of 410 for each section of the entire test, and obtain an overall average of 450 for the entire test itself. If you do not make the minimum requirement, the state will allow you to retake any or all the sections of the exam for up to three times in the entire year. Your highest score will be considered as the official result.

The qualification requirements for the state of New York are detailed, but there are a few basics which must be met. You first have to be at a minimum age of seventeen, and are currently not enrolled in any school, of any type. If you are below sixteen or above nineteen years old, you have to fulfill a special application. This also applies if more than a year has passed since your supposed graduation if ever you went through with it. Individuals with special cases, such as prisoners or military servicemen, are also eligible to take the test.

You can register for the GED exam by filling out an application form and proving your identity with a valid ID, such as a driver’s license. The New York State Education Department’s online site, emsc.nysed.gov, can provide you with downloadable applications and further identification requirements. It is necessary to choose for two exam dates, for at least eight weeks prior to the test. You can either send your application by mail or by walk-in hand delivery to your local testing center.

Fortunately there are a lot of available resources which you can access to prepare for the exam, and the internet hosts plenty of sites which offer them. The American Council of Education’s site, acenet.org , contains a run-through of sample questions, and sites like passged.com and adulted.about.com provide thorough study tips and strategy guides. Prep classes may also be available in your immediate area, and workbooks are purchasable at your local bookstore.