While the test is created by the GED Testing Service, a nonprofit program of the American Council on Education, it is administered in partnership with individual states and jurisdictions. The GED test consists of five areas of study, language arts reading and writing (including essay); mathematics; science; and social studies. The GED test is not available online, but is administered in person at one of 3,400 official sites by a trained examiner.
GED examiners are trained professionals who must meet specific educational requirements. As outlined in the Policies and Procedures Manual released by the GED Testing Service, examiners are required to have a bachelor’s degree from a nationally accredited college or university and experience in teaching, training, counseling or testing.
In some cases, examiners may possess only an associate degree but have at least three years’ experience in teaching, training, counseling or testing. At the discretion of the jurisdictional GED administrator, an examiner may be hired who does not possess either a bachelor’s degree or associate degree but does have college-level course work and experience as a proctor.
Regardless of education, each examiner is required to complete training prior to administering the GED test.
Training GED examiners is the responsibility of the individual states or jurisdictions and takes place after an individual has been hired. Before full duties can be assumed, an examiner must serve at two full testing sessions under an experienced chief examiner or administrator. This allows the examiner to become comfortable with strict guidelines imposed by the GED Testing Service.
The GED Testing Service provides very precise instructions for administering the GED exam. Of primary importance for GED examiners is to safeguard the test materials to prevent cheating and maintain consistency of results across the many states and jurisdictions. During training, the chief examiner explains these practices and helps new examiners completely understand the process. Examiners also are trained on how to spot signs of cheating and how they should arrange the testing room to discourage attempts at cheating.
Once an examiner has completed her initial training, she is required to complete at least one annual training session for the duration of her employment. There is generally no fee for this continuing education and it is organized by the individual state or jurisdiction. At these sessions, examiners typically discuss testing procedures and any changes to policy.
Individuals interested in becoming a GED examiner should visit their state department of education website for further information. GED testing, hiring and training is often administered at the state level through the community college system.
Each time the GED Test is administered, an approved and trained examiner must be present. This individual is responsible for ensuring that all policies and procedures set about by the GED Testing Service are followed during the testing process. Typically, for every 20 individuals taking the exam, at least one examiner and one proctor should be present.
As outlined in the GED Testing Service Policies and Procedures Manual, the examiner must register test takers, explain test procedures and maintain the security of test materials. It is also recommended that the examiner establish a rapport with the candidates and help to put them at ease prior to testing. Examiners also must be able to follow precise instructions and communicate all directions concisely and clearly. This involves reading instructions aloud and alerting test takers to the time remaining to complete each section of the exam. During the exam, examiners are also expected to watch for signs of cheating.