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GED OR
HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OPTION

What We Offer

  • Free classes that cover all sections of the GED Exam:

    • Mathematical Reasoning
    • Reasoning through Language Arts
    • Science
    • Social Studies
  • Flexible class scheduling with morning, afternoon, and evening options
  • Multiple locations throughout Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, and Winston counties.

  • Online learning

    • Designed for eligible students who are not able to attend class in person or prefer to attend online classes.

How to Enroll in Classes

Eligibility

Any person who is at least 16 years of age, lives or works in Alabama, not presently enrolled in school (public or private), and has correct documents. Students less than 18 years old must have additional documents.

GED4ME!

Take your GED Practice test for FREE! For a limited time, you can schedule and take the GED Practice test for Free! If you pass all any section, Alabama Adult Education will pay for you to take corresponding official GED EXAM!

If you have any questions, please contact NWSCC Adult Education at 256-331-5440 or adulted@nwscc.edu. 

Registration

To register for the GED® exam, go to www.GED.com. Students may take any, or all parts of the exam at their convenience, limited only by the availability of testing appointments available on their chosen date and time. Although it is possible, it is not recommended to take the entire exam in one day. It is better for most individuals to take one or two parts on a given day.

GED® Test Age Restrictions: ACT-2009-564 stipulates that students between the ages of 7 and 17 are required to attend public school, church school, or be taught at home by a private tutor.  Based on this law, there are specific requirements for students, 16 and 17 years of age, who wish to take the GED® Test. For specific information on age restrictions, please visit the GED® site at https://www.ged.com/policies/alabama.html

What’s on the GED® Exam?

  • Reasoning Through Language Arts – measures your ability to read closely, write clearly, and edit and understand written text
  • Mathematical Reasoning – includes quantitative and algebraic problem solving
  • Science – includes life science, physical science, earth and space science
  • Social Studies – includes civics and government, U.S. history, economics, geography and the world

How much does it cost?

The cost of each GED® exam is $36 or $144 for the entire test (with no retakes). You may pay for and take one subject at a time or multiple subjects if you choose.

Languages and Accommodations

The GED® is given in English and Castilian Spanish (spoken in Spain and Puerto Rico). Also, Alabama residents are allowed to combine different language versions of the GED® test to earn their credential.

GED® Testing Services provides reasonable and appropriate accommodations to individuals with documented disabilities who demonstrate a need for accommodations. GED® test accommodations may include things such as a separate testing room, extra testing time, and extra breaks. For additional information on accommodations, please visit https://www.ged.com/faqs/testing-accommodations.html

Scheduling the GED® Exam

To schedule your GED® Exam, you must pre-register at the GED® website (http://www.ged.com). You will need to create an account with an e-mail address and be prepared to make your payment with a debit/credit card or earned GED® voucher when you register online. Select the date, time, and location most convenient for you. If you need special accommodations, you will need to submit additional documentation verifying the need for the accommodation at the time of registration.

Test Day

When you register, you choose your date and time. This is your exam start time. You need to arrive at the test center at least 15 minutes early to fill out your paperwork and complete the check-in process so you can begin at your start time.

Bring a government-issued identification card (ex. a driver’s license or passport). Make sure the document is valid (not expired), has your photo on it, has your signature on it, includes your date or birth, and includes an expiration date.

You do not need to bring any materials (calculator, pencil, etc.) with you on test day. You will be provided with any materials that you need.

Any personal belongings will be stored in a storage area in the check-in area. You are not allowed to wear coats, jackets, caps, hats, scarves, or other outerwear in the testing room. Food and drinks are not allowed in the testing room. No cell phones are allowed in the testing room.

When you take the exam, there is no penalty for a wrong answer. Test-takers should attempt to answer all the questions on the test.

What happens after the test?

  • Check your scores – go to www.GED.com and click on Scores to see how you did. You must score a 145 on each module and 580 on the entire test battery (all four parts combined).
  • Receive a Digital Transcript and Diploma – as soon as you pass the test series, you will receive an OFFICIAL secure, electronic PDF document delivered to     your email that contains your transcript and diploma. You have 60 days to download and save the documents. The documents may be sent directly to colleges, employers, etc. without having to contact the NWSCC GED® testing office. If you need duplicate copies, please visit the www.GED.com site, click on Request Transcript, and provide your payment information ($15), or you can call 888-906-4031 to order a copy from Parchment Exchange Customer Support.
  • You receive a free college class – once you successfully complete your exam, you are automatically eligible to receive one free college-level course (up to 4-credit-hours), at NWSCC or any other Alabama state community college.
  • You are invited to attend the GED® Graduation Ceremony (Once you successfully complete the GED®). More details will be shared as we get closer to the date.


If you have any questions, please contact NWSCC Adult Education at 256-331-5440 or adulted@nwscc.edu.

What Happens After Passing the GED?

After earning your GED, you’ll immediately receive an official digital transcript and diploma via email, which you can download and share with colleges or employers. You can also request a printed diploma, receive a free college class, attend a graduation ceremony, and explore next steps with our Workforce Engagement Coordinator.

Getting Your Digital Transcript & Diploma

As soon as you pass your GED test, you will receive a secure, electronic PDF document delivered to your email that contains your official transcript and diploma. You will have 60 days to download and save the documents. During the 60 days, you may download them seven times for free. Make sure you keep both physical and digital copies in your personal files.

Additional OFFICIAL documents can be sent to colleges, training centers, employers, etc., through GED.com. Log on to your account to order these. The GED testing office does not hold transcript and certificate records.

How to Order a Free Printed Diploma

You should order your printed diploma using your GED.com account. The free diploma link in your account can only be used one time.

  • Go to GED.com and log in
  • Navigate to My Scores
  • Select the Order Duplicates link
  • Select Diploma option
  • Select the Printed Diploma – Free option
  • Fill in who and what address you want the diploma to be mailed to
  • Carefully follow the instructions presented during the ordering process

Purchasing Additional Copies of Your Transcript & Diploma

  • Go to ged.com/life_after_ged
  • Carefully read and follow instructions.
  • There is a small fee you for the copies that you will have to pay with a credit card.

To place an order by phone, call Parchment Exchange Customer Support at 888-906-4031.

The Alabama Non-Traditional High School Diploma Option (HSDO) is an alternative to the GED high school equivalency, designed for students who have completed all of the required credits for graduation but failed the Alabama High School Graduation Exam (AHSGE), or students who have dropped out of the traditional high school setting.

Option 1

For an adult who attended an Alabama high school and earned enough credits to graduate, but did not pass the high school graduation exam. To be eligible for this option:
  • Participant must have all 24 credits required to graduate from a traditional high school, or the number of credits established by the local school system that the participant last attended
  • Must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Did not pass the Alabama High School Graduation Exam


Option 2

For an adult who earned 10 or more credits from an Alabama high school and requires additional credits for high school completion. To be eligible for this option:
  • Participants must have at least 10 credits of the 24 credits required to graduate from a traditional high school in Alabama
  • Must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Participants must assess on the TABE (Test for Adult Basic Education)


Required Form

Your high school must complete a transcript audit form. Please download the HSDO Transcript Audit Form Request and complete it, sign it, and take/send it to your high school.  Your high school will complete the Transcript Audit and send it directly to us. Download the form here!


Free College Class

One completed, you can request a printed diploma from your respective high school, receive a free college class (at Northwest Shoals Community College), attend a graduation ceremony, and explore next steps with our Workforce Engagement Coordinator.

If you have any questions, please contact NWSCC Adult Education at 256-331-5440 or adulted@nwscc.edu.