A change to GED scoring qualifications means more than 600 Mississippians may retroactively pass the test.
GED Testing Services announced last week that it lowered the score to pass the high school equivalency test to 145. Test-takers previously had to score 150.
The change comes as the result of an analysis of GED graduates’ educational outcomes, compared to high school graduates over the past year and a half, the company said.
The changes retroactively apply to everyone who’s taken the test since Jan. 1, 2014. More than 25,000 people across the U.S. are expected be immediately eligible for the high school equivalency diploma. In Mississippi, 637 people will now qualify for the diploma.
Maggie Austin, program manager for the Family-Centered ABE/GED program in Starkville, said she hopes the changes will encourage more people to take the test.
She said the announcement should be particularly welcome for the students who have now passed the test. She added a few students in Starkville will receive their diplomas as a result of the score adjustment.
“It’s great news,” she said. “I’m sure it’s going to be great news for the students. They should know if they’ve passed now. Even if some partially passed the test, it should give them encouragement to see they passed some parts and can move on to other parts.”
The changes also introduce College Ready and College Ready Plus Credit, two new score categories above high school equivalency.
Austin said the new levels replace what was formerly GED with Honors. College Ready is for students who score 165-174, and College Ready Plus Credit is for those who score 175-200. Students who care in the latter category can earn up to 10 hours of college credit.
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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