The GED provides adults who do not have a high school diploma an alternative means of obtaining an equivalent degree. The test consists of five parts, or subtests. The first part is mathematics, divided into two sections; one section allows the use of a calculator and the other does not. The second part, language arts writing, consists of multiple choice questions and an essay. Part three, social studies, is multiple choice about history, geography, civics and government and economics. The science subtest covers physical, life and earth and space science. The final part consists of a language arts reading subtest. It is recommended that students take a GED preparation course prior to taking the GED.
South Branch Career and Technical Center (southbranchtech.com) is located in the county seat of Petersburg. It offers GED preparation courses as part of its adult basic education program. The center also serves as a test site for Grant, Hardy and Pendleton counties in West Virginia. In addition to its GED program, the center offers programs in accounting, general construction, automotive technology, masonry, computer repair and welding. It also provides a program to become a certified nursing assistant.
Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College serves six eastern West Virginia counties, including Grant. The school holds classes in Moorefield (in Hardy county) and in Petersburg; GED preparation courses are offered at the Petersburg campus. The school offers courses in accounting, business, computers, health care and legal areas, focused on both workforce training and education for credit to transfer to a four-year college.
The GED Preparation Course takes six weeks and covers all five sections of the test; a final exam is required to complete the course. Another six-week course focuses solely on the mathematics part of the GED, and provides a more detailed study of the concepts tested than the general preparation course. Another optioal course covers just the subtest for language arts writing, including preparation in writing the essay, which is a great concern to students.