GED tests, or General Education Development tests, are an internationally-recognized set of assessments that an individual needs to pass to receive a GED certificate.
A GED certificate is considered equivalent to a grade 12 education. It proves that you have completed the GED requirements, passed all the tests, and now have high school-level knowledge despite not finishing a formal secondary school program.
If you plan to obtain a GED diploma in Canada, read on to find out what requirements to meet, what the GED test covers, how to get a GED certificate for free, and other related matters.
What is a GED Certificate?
A GED certificate is a credential regarded as an alternative to a high school diploma. Individuals unable to complete high school can obtain a GED by completing the GED requirements and passing all five tests.
Online tools such as free practice tests and other study materials are available to help those who write the test obtain a passing score.
Getting a GED certificate in Canada is crucial in enhancing your basic knowledge, furthering your education, gaining vital skills, and improving your job prospects.
GED Requirements
To be eligible for GED, you must meet the basic requirements:
- You are a resident of Canada.
- You meet the required age in the province you live in.
- You do not have a Grade 12 certificate from any institution.
- You can take the GED test in person.
The requirements vary from location to location. Contact your provincial or territorial Department of Education to see if there are other conditions you need to meet.
What is on the GED Test?
Below are the five different subject areas included in the GED test, their main topics, and how you will be evaluated:
- Mathematics
- Basic math
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Graphs and functions
- Language Arts, Reading
- Includes passages from literary works and workplace reading selections
- How you will be evaluated:
- Comprehension
- Application
- Analysis
- Synthesis
- Language Arts, Writing
- Part I – Organization, sentence structure, usage, and mechanics
- Part II – Writing an essay
- Social Studies
- History
- Geography
- Economics
- Government
- Science
- Earth and space science
- Life science
- Physical science
The GED test takes seven hours and five minutes to complete and is scheduled over two days, typically a Friday evening and the whole day of Saturday.
How to Get a GED Certificate
Getting a GED certificate requires that you must pass the five tests. Be sure to take the GED test at an official GED test center.
Depending on your location, there may be fees for the GED test, and it may be necessary to attend a preparation class.
You must get a passing grade of 450 out of 800 on each of the five tests to receive a GED certificate showing you have achieved the same level of knowledge as a high school graduate.
A valid GED diploma gives you better prospects of improving your life as it opens doors to various careers. So, be on the lookout for GED certificates that are fake. They can get you kicked out of school or lead to job loss.
GED Certificate vs High School Diploma
Find out how each differs from the other with this GED certificate vs high school diploma comparison.
A GED certificate is a high school equivalency diploma that shows you passed five tests, indicating that you have the same skills and knowledge as a traditional high school graduate.
A high school diploma shows you attended and graduated from a conventional high school setting, which requires four years to complete.
Aside from that, here are other differences between a GED certificate and a high school diploma:
Education Requirements
- Obtaining a GED certificate does not require any coursework requirements.
- Getting a high school diploma requires attending regular classes and completing coursework in four years in different academic aspects (maths, languages, history, social studies, and science).
Learning Experience
- GED focuses on testing your academic skills and passing the GED test.
- With a high school diploma, you are prepared for future academic efforts and to develop your social skills by participating in school activities.
Testing Requirements
- The GED test is the same in all Canadian provinces and territories.
- Depending on your location, you must complete the requisite number of credits, community involvement activities, and other requirements to graduate.
Certificate
- The province awards real GED certificates to those who pass the GED test.
- A high school diploma is granted to students by their school.
GED vs Diploma Pros and Cons
Find below the GED vs diploma pros and cons that will help to assess the benefits and disadvantages of each.
GED Certificate Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Attending classes is not necessary | May not be eligible for financial aid |
| Requires passing only one single test with five subject areas | No academic support |
| Designed for individuals unable to attend high school | No career guidance |
| No minimum or maximum length of time to take the GED test | Some colleges and universities (such as in Ontario and Manitoba) do not accept a GED certificate as equivalent to a high school diploma. |
| May present more opportunities for hiring and earning potential | |
| Accepted at most, if not all, colleges |
High School Diploma Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| No fee is required to attend a traditional high school | Takes four years to finish |
| It becomes more important if you have no college education | You must pass courses to earn credits |
| You will have learned a full high school curriculum | You must complete the required credits to be eligible for graduation |
| Offers higher earnings than a GED certificate | |
| Usually accepted at all colleges |
FAQs
To obtain a GED certificate, you need to pass the GED test. In Canada, GED tests come with a cost, with the fees varying by province. Check with your area to find out how much it charges for each test.
GED is not tougher than high school since it only covers essentially four subjects. To pass the GED test, you only have to answer around 60-65% of the questions correctly. Preparation is necessary to help ensure a passing score.
While Harvard has very selective criteria for admissions, it does not require any high school or GED diploma for admittance. It requires students to be academically prepared to study in the institution.
Across the five subjects, the maximum attainable score is 800. Such a score demonstrates the test taker has attained a level of knowledge and skills similar to one attending classes in first-year college.
Getting a GED does not equate to having a grade point average (GPA) since the GPA is only possible if you have completed all the needed high school credits. The GED score is converted to get an approximate GPA and see how it would compare to a high school GPA.
The lowest passing grade for GED is 450 out of 800 on each of the five tests, which you need to attain to earn a certificate. You can rewrite any test you fail.
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