Boost your career opportunities with a Pennsylvania GED credential. Not only will you be able to get that promotion, you can even get back on track with your education, and earn a college degree. Here’s how it works.

The GED exams offered by the state of Pennsylvania will test your aptitude in the following subjects: Language Arts in Reading and Writing, Social Studies, Math, and Science. Each of these separate sections has its own time allotment, with a total of about seven hours for the entire test. A subsection within Language Arts in Writing requires you to answer in essay form; most of the other items are in multiple-choice format. Visit acenet.edu for further details on the individual tests.

You should acquire a score of 410 on each of the separate sections in order to be eligible for the GED credential; you also need to rack up a score of 2250 for the entire exam. This is equivalent to an average of 450 for each of the five sections: the average you are required to fulfill in order to pass the test. If, however, you are not able to meet the required scores, you may still take the test for up to three times for the entire year. Your eligibility to take the exam after the third unsuccessful attempt will then depend on the decision of the Chief Examiner.

You are qualified to take the Pennsylvania GED if you possess these basic requirements: you must be at least 18 years of age; you reside within the state of Pennsylvania; and finally, you should not be currently matriculated in any secondary school, whether public or private. Some of these requirements may be waived to accommodate special circumstances. To determine if you are eligible for an exception (for instance, if you are above 16 but below 18 years old), make contact with a testing center within your area. You may also visit able.state.pa.us, the Pennsylvania Dept. of Education’s online site.

Pennsylvania accommodates more than 150 accredited testing centers. Look for a testing center near your area for detailed information. For an online extensive list of all the available testing centers in the state, visit this link: able.state.pa.us/able/cwp/view.asp?a=5andQ=39805andableNav=|2620|2786|. Because the required registration fees between these centers usually differ, the one within your area will be able to provide you with exact information on fees and other costs for taking the GED. The rates range between 40 to 60 dollars on average; you may also want to ask them about the fees for retaking the exam.

Taking preparation classes under the guidance of an instructor gets you really involved with the GED tests. You may contact these numbers for further information: (888) 889-6020, or (717) 787-5532. If you feel that you would do better with independent study, there are numerous available resources to aid you in your effort, such as your local library and bookstore, and the internet. Choose the preparation method which works best for you. Further information about the Pennsylvania GED can be obtained at their Department of Education website, at able.state.pa.us, or at acenet.edu, the American Council of Education’s online site.