Seeking Alternatives To The GED Exam

By Dr. Marciene Mattleman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - After World War II, the General Development Test, the GED, was created to help returning war veterans earn a high school equivalency credential.

Next year, a new version will be offered. Because the new test will be online only and the cost will double to $120, forty states and DC are looking for alternatives and New Jersey and Tennessee are exploring offering more than one test.

Some students are concerned about the new higher costs and are hurrying to take the paper test now and others worry about having adequate skills for a computerized version.

But, students are passing at higher rates than on the paper version in pilot sites and the computerized version provides details to those who fail a section on the skills they need before retaking the exam.

Read more in Education Week and Google GED Testing Service for more information.