Upon applying for a GED, a student must be at least 16 years old and not enrolled in high school. The school must provide a letter stating the date when the student dropped out. If the drop-out date is on or after Aug. 28, 2009 the student must also provide a high school transcript with at least sixteen completed credit hours.
The GED scores are made up of two things: the standard test score and the percentile rank. Each test subject is scored on a scale of 200 to 800 points, and the percentile ranking ranges from 1 to 99. The percentile ranking is simply your GED scores compared to the average high school senior's SAT scores. To receive your GED certificate in Missouri, you must score higher than the top 60 percent of graduating seniors.
Submit an application to the GED office in Jefferson City with a $20 fee, as of 2010. Forms are available on the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) website and all GED locations around the state. Upon approval, a testing authorization will be mailed to you. Required items at testing are a candidate responsibility form, a testing authorization, a completed U.S. demographic form and a valid Missouri driver's license or ID card. Call 417-447-8860 to find a location near you.
Preparing for the GED test can be a daunting task. However, many community colleges in Missouri offer on-site preparation courses. The Missouri State Library provides GED study guides and videos to local libraries throughout the state. Some libraries offer study groups, and many free online courses are available.
Testing centers are located all across Missouri. Log on to the DESE website to find the testing center nearest you. A list of physical locations will be mailed to you when you apply for your testing authorization. Although you can study for the GED test online, you must take the actual test in person at one of the certified GED testing centers.
Although most online classes are free, a few do charge an enrollment fee. Besides the initial application fee of $20, there is also a $20 testing fee, as of 2010. Most testing centers require this fee to be paid at the time you schedule your appointment. An official transcript of your GED scores can be requested for a $2 charge. The Privacy Act of 1974 states that this request must be in writing to protect your privacy.