1. Strategies for Helping Your Learners
Complete the 2002 GED®:
Approaches for Teachers and Administrators
May 24, 2013

2. GED Closeout Strategies
What do we already know about
the 2002 GED Close-out?
What do we already know about
the 2002 GED Close-out?
• Ends in January 2014
• Test will morph from paper-based 2002 version to computer-
based 2014 version.
• Loss of scores for all who don’t finish
• Start on paper, end on paper – start on computer, end on
computer
• Only a handful of places to take the test
• Many testers are unaware of changes or its implications
• Ends in January 2014
• Test will morph from paper-based 2002 version to computer-
based 2014 version.
• Loss of scores for all who don’t finish
• Start on paper, end on paper – start on computer, end on
computer
• Only a handful of places to take the test
• Many testers are unaware of changes or its implications

3. GED Closeout Strategies
The Problem:The Problem:
• January 2014: We’re running out of time!
• Massive score loss by January 2014 !
• 30,000 Statewide
• 7,000 in Philadelphia
• THOUSANDS more
• anticipated to attempt testing for the first time in Summer/ Fall
2013, joining the 7,000 “high-risk” testers in Philadelphia
• January 2014: We’re running out of time!
• Massive score loss by January 2014 !
• 30,000 Statewide
• 7,000 in Philadelphia
• THOUSANDS more
• anticipated to attempt testing for the first time in Summer/ Fall
2013, joining the 7,000 “high-risk” testers in Philadelphia

4. GED Closeout Strategies
The Goal:The Goal:
Conversion from GED PREP Centers
To
GED COMPLETION Centers
Conversion from GED PREP Centers
To
GED COMPLETION Centers

5. GED Closeout Strategies
What’s The Difference? PROGRAM DESIGNWhat’s The Difference? PROGRAM DESIGN
PREP Center Design
1. Open Enrollment
2. Finds advanced students by happenstance
3. Uses TABE Test for leveling and placement
4. Instruction focuses on general skill gain
5. Teaches same general material to all
students in a particular class level
6. Waits for post-testing to determine GED
Readiness
PREP Center Design
1. Open Enrollment
2. Finds advanced students by happenstance
3. Uses TABE Test for leveling and placement
4. Instruction focuses on general skill gain
5. Teaches same general material to all
students in a particular class level
6. Waits for post-testing to determine GED
Readiness
COMPLETION Center Design
1. Managed Enrollment
2. Recruits and targets test-ready students
3. Uses Official GED Practice Test for
leveling and placement
4. Instruction focuses on targeted skill
deficiencies needed for passing test
(*FMQ data)
5. Uses targeted individualized instruction
based on Practice Testing performance
data
6. Actively, and frequently does follow-up
practice testing + accepts teacher
recommendations for performance
COMPLETION Center Design
1. Managed Enrollment
2. Recruits and targets test-ready students
3. Uses Official GED Practice Test for
leveling and placement
4. Instruction focuses on targeted skill
deficiencies needed for passing test
(*FMQ data)
5. Uses targeted individualized instruction
based on Practice Testing performance
data
6. Actively, and frequently does follow-up
practice testing + accepts teacher
recommendations for performance

6. GED Closeout Strategies
What’s The Difference? STAFF EXPERTISEWhat’s The Difference? STAFF EXPERTISE
PREP Center Staff
1.Instructors have never taken, or are unfamiliar
with the official GED Practice test
2.Instructors rely on the TABE to assess student
aptitude + gains to predict GED readiness
3.Has imperfect knowledge of GED scoring
process and how to explain it.
4.Has imperfect knowledge of GED Registration
Process and Requirements (The W’s)
5.Is unfamiliar / has never completed a
GED123.com registration with a learner
6.Does not track or coach learners after they are
deemed “test-ready” or begin testing
PREP Center Staff
1.Instructors have never taken, or are unfamiliar
with the official GED Practice test
2.Instructors rely on the TABE to assess student
aptitude + gains to predict GED readiness
3.Has imperfect knowledge of GED scoring
process and how to explain it.
4.Has imperfect knowledge of GED Registration
Process and Requirements (The W’s)
5.Is unfamiliar / has never completed a
GED123.com registration with a learner
6.Does not track or coach learners after they are
deemed “test-ready” or begin testing
COMPLETION Center Staff
1.Taken, and analyzed one or more GED
Practice Tests (*site GED Tagging Data)
2.GED Practice tests early, frequently, and
aggressively to determine GED readiness.
3.Thoroughly understands and can articulate
scoring process to students
4.Can quote registration requirements,
regulations, fees, locations, etc…
5.Efficient at registering learners on GED123,
utilized for score tracking, has time for it!
6.Coaches learners THROUGH test completion,
not just up to point of testing
COMPLETION Center Staff
1.Taken, and analyzed one or more GED
Practice Tests (*site GED Tagging Data)
2.GED Practice tests early, frequently, and
aggressively to determine GED readiness.
3.Thoroughly understands and can articulate
scoring process to students
4.Can quote registration requirements,
regulations, fees, locations, etc…
5.Efficient at registering learners on GED123,
utilized for score tracking, has time for it!
6.Coaches learners THROUGH test completion,
not just up to point of testing

7. GED Closeout Strategies
The Strategy:The Strategy:
What is a Fast Tracker?
• Needs little-to-no formal instruction in order to pass the GED
• Has passed TWO or more Official tests with a reasonably high
average
• Official Score average allows for minimum scoring in final
subjects (ie: 410 in Math to pass overall GED)
• Exceptionally high Reading Scores on Practice or Official Test
• Held to high expectations!
What is a Fast Tracker?
• Needs little-to-no formal instruction in order to pass the GED
• Has passed TWO or more Official tests with a reasonably high
average
• Official Score average allows for minimum scoring in final
subjects (ie: 410 in Math to pass overall GED)
• Exceptionally high Reading Scores on Practice or Official Test
• Held to high expectations!

8. GED Closeout Strategies
The Strategy:The Strategy:
How do I
recruit / identify / generate Fast Trackers?
• GED Practice Test at orientation, not TABE
• Outreach to “High-Risk” Testers in your network
• Free GED Practice Testing Events
• On-Deck Testing Events (*see On Deck slide)
• Yes, teach to the test !
• Take risks with borderline students, be ready to coach if they
do not pass
How do I
recruit / identify / generate Fast Trackers?
• GED Practice Test at orientation, not TABE
• Outreach to “High-Risk” Testers in your network
• Free GED Practice Testing Events
• On-Deck Testing Events (*see On Deck slide)
• Yes, teach to the test !
• Take risks with borderline students, be ready to coach if they
do not pass

9. Advantages to On-Deck Strategy:
•Immediate identification of Fast Trackers for expedited GED registration and testing
•Sifts through waiting list to identify Fast Trackers who are hidden amongst intermediate
and low-level students
•Minimized waitlist time for all
•Immediate engagement w/ center staff and programming while waiting for orientation
GED Practice Testing
Low /
Intermediate
Levels
Low /
Intermediate
Levels
FAST
TRACK
Level
GED
Registration and
Testing
Orientation
OR
Continued Waitlist
Orientation
OR
Continued Waitlist
“ON DECK”Waitlist
OR
Walk-In
Waitlist
OR
Walk-In
GED Closeout Strategies
Congreso’s On-Deck Strategy

10. GED Closeout Strategies
The Strategy:The Strategy:
So what does a Fast Track student
actually do? (1 of 2)
• Minimum of 2 Practice Tests in each subject
• 1 at Orientation, 1 afterwards, average the scores
• (PROPERLY!!) Creates a GED123.com account with staff
• Obtains Identification + money needed for testing
• Undergoes targeted tutoring / instruction and test prep skills
• FMQ’s, identify bad habits
• Test taking strategies
• “Game plan” to graduation
So what does a Fast Track student
actually do? (1 of 2)
• Minimum of 2 Practice Tests in each subject
• 1 at Orientation, 1 afterwards, average the scores
• (PROPERLY!!) Creates a GED123.com account with staff
• Obtains Identification + money needed for testing
• Undergoes targeted tutoring / instruction and test prep skills
• FMQ’s, identify bad habits
• Test taking strategies
• “Game plan” to graduation

11. GED Closeout Strategies
The Strategy:The Strategy:
So what does a Fast Track student
actually do? (2 of 2)
• Attends minimum of 1 day a week throughout testing
• Tutoring, coaching, score review, next-test-strategy
• May be Fast Track for Reading-based subjects, but takes class for Math
• Writes essays and practices “Framing” various topics
• Practices completing tests for Time
• “What to know about the day of testing”
So what does a Fast Track student
actually do? (2 of 2)
• Attends minimum of 1 day a week throughout testing
• Tutoring, coaching, score review, next-test-strategy
• May be Fast Track for Reading-based subjects, but takes class for Math
• Writes essays and practices “Framing” various topics
• Practices completing tests for Time
• “What to know about the day of testing”

12. GED Closeout Strategies
Writing Test Strategy:Writing Test Strategy:
#
Correct
Rating
2
Rating
2.5
Rating
3
Rating
3.5
Rating
4
14 (56%) 410 460 490 530 580
13 400 450 490 520 580
12 400 450 480 520 570
11 390 440 480 510 570
10 390 440 470 510 560
9 380 430 460 500 550
8 (32%) 380 410 460 490 540
7 370 400 450 480 540
6 370 400 440 480 530
5 360 390 430 470 520
4 340 380 410 450 500
3 300 340 370 410 460
2 (8%) 250 290 320 360 410
1 220 260 290 330 380
Average
Increase
Per Essay Rating:
40.4 Points!

13. GED Closeout Strategies
FMQ Strategy:FMQ Strategy:
PC
MATH
Question
#
LO JT GS LP JF NZ MR OO JD GZ KJ AG EN JM JEM WM RR JM AZ LAST
NAME
LAST
NAME
LAST
NAME
LAST
NAME
LAST
NAME
AMT
WRONG %
1 I C I C C I C I C I C C C C C C C I I 7 37%
2 C I I C C C C C C I C C C C C C C C C 3 16%
3 I C C I C C I I I C I I I C C I C C I 10 53%
4 I C C C C C C C C C I C C C C C C C C 2 11%
5 C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C I C C C 1 5%
6 I C C C I C C C C C C I C I I C C C C 5 26%
7 C C C C C C C I I C I I C C I C C C I 6 32%
8 C I C C C c C I C C c I C C C C C C C 3 16%
9 c c c C c C C I C C C C C C C C C I C 2 11%
10 I I C I I I C I I C I I I I I I I I I 16 84%
11 I I I I I C I I I C I I C I C C C C C 11 58%
12 C I C I I I C C I C C I I I I C C I C 10 53%
13 I C I C C C I I C C I C C C C C C C I 6 32%
14 I C C C C C C C C C C I C C C C C I C 3 16%
15 I C C C C C I C C C C I C C C C C C C 3 16%
16 C C C C I C C I C I I I C C C C C C C 5 26%
17 C C C C C C C C I C I I C C C I C C I 5 26%
18 I I C I I C I I I I I I I I I I C I I 16 84%
19 C I I C I I C I I C I I I C C I I C I 12 63%
20 C C C C C I I C C I I I C C I I I C C 8 42%
21 I C C C C I I C I I I C C C C C C I C 7 37%
22 I C C C I C C C C C I I C C C C C C C 4 21%
23 I C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C 1 5%
24 C C I I C C C C I C I I I C C C C C I 7 37%
25 C C I I I C I C I I I I I I C I I C C 12 63%
TOTAL
MISSED
QUESTIONS
13 7 7 7 9 6 8 11 11 7 15 17 7 6 6 8 4 7 9 0 0 0 0 0
START TEACHING THIS
START TEACHING THIS
STOP TEACHING THIS
STOP TEACHING THIS

14. GED Closeout Strategies
“GED Tags”“GED Tags”
#10) Body Mass Index (BMI) can be defined
as:
BMI = (705)(w)
h²
Where w is a person’s weight in pounds and h
is the person’s height in inches. If Elaine is 60
inches tall and weighs 108 pounds, what is her
Body Mass Index?
Mark your answers in the grid on your answer
sheet.
TAGS:
Order of operations, multi-step
Substitution for variable(s) *see reverse order!
Squaring a number
Filling out answers on the score grid
Etc…

15. “GED Tags” - Example“GED Tags” - Example
QUESTION
#
Addition Subtraction Multiplication Division Decimals
Comparing and
Ordering
Numbers
Square Root Exchange Rates
1 x x x x
2 x x x x
3 x x
4 x x x
5
6
7 x
8
9 x x x x
10 x x
11 x x
12 x x
13 x x x x
14 x x
15 x x x x
16 x
17 x
18 x
19
20 x x
21
22
23
24
25 x x
TOTAL PC: 4 6 10 8 6 4 1 2

16. GED Closeout Strategies
GED “Tagging” Graphs – MathGED “Tagging” Graphs – Math
410 out of 800 = 51%
Algebra + Multi-Step
Problems = 68% of the test!

17. GED Closeout Strategies
GED “Tagging” Graphs – WritingGED “Tagging” Graphs – Writing

18. GED Closeout Strategies
Testing Center Observations:Testing Center Observations:
•Practice Tests are only HALF the length. Students get worn out !
• TIP: Before official testing, have students take 2 Practice Tests
back to back in order to get a feel for a real test. Average the two
scores together.
•Back-to-Back Testing = Fatigue
• 2 per day recommended, 3 max
• 3 consecutive sessions = 4 hours +
•Stop leaving blanks!
• Teach students “timing strategy”
• 10 minute warning only, erasable pens take more time
•Writing  5 paragraph essay !!
•Math  Hand-written Answer Boxes
•GED 123 problems, ID on day of test
•Practice Tests are only HALF the length. Students get worn out !
• TIP: Before official testing, have students take 2 Practice Tests
back to back in order to get a feel for a real test. Average the two
scores together.
•Back-to-Back Testing = Fatigue
• 2 per day recommended, 3 max
• 3 consecutive sessions = 4 hours +
•Stop leaving blanks!
• Teach students “timing strategy”
• 10 minute warning only, erasable pens take more time
•Writing  5 paragraph essay !!
•Math  Hand-written Answer Boxes
•GED 123 problems, ID on day of test

19. GED Closeout Strategies
The GED Testing Center Reality:The GED Testing Center Reality:
Too many testers, not enough slotsToo many testers, not enough slots
temple 1199 ccp congreso 5th?
Per week 225 225 200 50 0
Per Month 900 900 800 200 0
Per Next 6 months 5400 5400 4800 1200 0
GRAND TOTAL OF
SLOTS POSSIBLE
16,800
Slots NEEDED for
7,000 People to
Finish
7K x Need 1 7K x Need 2 7K x Need 3 7K x Need 4 7K x Need 5 7K x Need 6 7K x Need 7
7000 14000 21000 28000 35000 42000 49000
Slots NEEDED for
10,000 People to
Finish
10K x Need 1 10K x Need 2 10K x Need 3 10K x Need 4 10K x Need 5 10K x Need 6 10K x Need 7
10000 20000 30000 40000 50000 60000 70000

20. GED Closeout Strategies
• Test Re-ordering Situation
• Can purchase Full Batteries only
• Bottleneck in Fall / Winter 2013
• Again, Too many testers, not enough slots
• Test Centers will run out of Booklets before January
• More testers will attempt, as January approaches
• Students should plan to PASS all 5 subjects by
November to be safe.
• Don’t leave Math for last !!
• Test Re-ordering Situation
• Can purchase Full Batteries only
• Bottleneck in Fall / Winter 2013
• Again, Too many testers, not enough slots
• Test Centers will run out of Booklets before January
• More testers will attempt, as January approaches
• Students should plan to PASS all 5 subjects by
November to be safe.
• Don’t leave Math for last !!
The GED Testing Center Reality:The GED Testing Center Reality:

21. GED Closeout Strategies
21
Summary
Testing Centers
•Work with Literacy Providers
•Preserve Available Math and Writing Tests
•Special Testing Dates
Testing Centers
•Work with Literacy Providers
•Preserve Available Math and Writing Tests
•Special Testing Dates
Instructors
•Teach to the test!
•Data-driven instruction
•Become GED-process Experts
Instructors
•Teach to the test!
•Data-driven instruction
•Become GED-process Experts
Administrators
•Creative Program Design
•Temp Shift Toward 2013 Closeout
•Empower Instructors to help w/ closeout!
Administrators
•Creative Program Design
•Temp Shift Toward 2013 Closeout
•Empower Instructors to help w/ closeout!
Students
Instructors
Testing
Centers
Students
•Practice Test often, multiple versions
•Realistic Expectations: Am I 2002 or 2014?
•Don’t wait to get started!!
Students
•Practice Test often, multiple versions
•Realistic Expectations: Am I 2002 or 2014?
•Don’t wait to get started!!

22. GED Closeout Strategies
• Where is your center in regards to:
• The spectrum of GED Prep vs. GED
Completion?
• Staff expertise around GED Completion?
• Program Design to create Completion
Capacity?
• Where is your center in regards to:
• The spectrum of GED Prep vs. GED
Completion?
• Staff expertise around GED Completion?
• Program Design to create Completion
Capacity?
Questions for Reflection:Questions for Reflection:

23. GED Closeout Strategies
• What can your center start implementing
• This week?
• In a month?
• In 2 months?
• What resources do you need?
• What staff will be responsible?
• What does success look like?
• What can your center start implementing
• This week?
• In a month?
• In 2 months?
• What resources do you need?
• What staff will be responsible?
• What does success look like?
Action Plan:Action Plan:

24. GED Closeout Strategies
Feedback and QuestionsFeedback and Questions