Do You Have to Take Classes or Can You Just Take the GED Exam?

You can receive a General Educational Development diploma after successfully taking and passing each of the five tests that make up the GED exam. If you’re thinking about taking this exam, you’re not only faced with the challenge of passing each content area, you need to make a decision on how you’re going to prepare. Along with various study and test preparation materials you can use, you must also choose whether to enroll in a GED preparation class before taking the exam.

GED preparation classes aren't required before taking the exam. If you take a practice test to evaluate your current level of understanding in each content area and receive a passing score in each, you might be ready to register to take the official exam. If your scores in each area aren't at the passing level, you might want to take a prep class.

GED classes are designed to focus on the vital information and skills needed to pass each content area of the test. It can help refresh your knowledge and memory of topics you might have forgotten. The class instructor will present practice test questions and helpful test-taking tips. He might even be able to give you individual assistance in areas with which you are struggling. Although this class will probably cost you some money upfront, it could save you in the long run. If an individual just goes straight for the exam without a prep class, he might need to retake one or more sections of the exam if he doesn’t receive a high enough score in each area. Some testing centers charge for retaking sections of the test.

If you believe you’re ready, you can always take the exam without a prep class. It can save some time by just going straight for your goal of obtaining a GED diploma. If you pass without needing to retake any part of the exam, you can save the money you would have spent on the class or a retest.

You don’t have to take a preparation class to get yourself ready for the exam. You can find GED preparation books at the library or bookstore. Online GED exam questions and practice tests can also be useful. You can't take the official GED exam online; it must be taken at a proctored testing center.

You often will find a preparation class offered at a local community college or adult education center. The GED Testing Service website at gedtestingservice.com has a testing center and class locator you can use to find a facility in your area. The phonebook is helpful for this purpose, too; just look under “GED Preparation Classes." Depending on where you take a GED prep class, the classes might be offered during the morning, daytime, evening or weekend. This flexible scheduling helps accommodate the various responsibilities of working adults. The cost for these classes varies depending on the location.