In order to understand the difference between a certificate and a transcript, the term "GED" needs to be clarified. GED stands for "General Education Development." It is also informally known as the General Education Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma. The purpose of a GED is to provide the equivalent of a high school diploma to individuals who did not complete high school.
The GED certificate is the physical document that you obtain as proof that you completed the various tests required. It works in the same fashion as any other degree or diploma. You learn certain material, then finish the program and obtain the certificate. You can then use the GED certificate to gain entry to post-secondary institutions or obtain jobs that require a high school diploma.
Although the GED transcript is different from a certificate, the two are connected. While the certificate provides evidence that you passed the tests, the transcript contains your exact scores. This is essentially the only difference between the GED certificate and transcript. If an employer or educational institution wants to evaluate your marks, you must first request a copy of your transcript. Organizations such as the American Council on Education can assist you in this area.
Knowing about transcripts and certificates is important, but so is understanding how to prepare. The GED can make a large difference in your life, but only if you make an effort to obtain it. When you take the test, the questions involve writing, reading comprehension, mathematics, social studies and science. The subcategories in these topics include things like sentence structure, essay writing, statistics, geometry, economics, biology and chemistry, to name a few. Considering the extensive nature of the tests, you need to be fully prepared.