Georgia’s adult learners who want to earn their General Educational Development diploma will soon have to pay more for the test following changes to the fee structure by the national administrator of the GED Testing Service.

Georgia’s GED test-takers currently pay $95 to take the full battery of five tests that measure reading, writing, social studies, science, and mathematics skills. Starting on July 1, 2011, the new fee structure will be $50 for each test, meaning the entire battery will cost $250 if the five tests are taken on separate days. The expense will be lower if two or more tests are taken together, and someone taking all five tests in a day can save $75.

The GED administrator, American Council on Education (ACE), and Pearson VUE, a specialist in computer-based academic testing, are collaborating in a partnership to expand student access to GED testing nationwide. They announced the new testing fee structure in March. The TCSG Office of Adult Education is the statewide provider for the GED test. Last year, almost 20,000 Georgians passed the test and obtained their GED diploma.

Persons who are ready to take GED tests now or who will soon complete their test preparation will be strongly encouraged to save money and take the test before July 1. The TCSG Office of Adult Education will be working closely with the staff at each of Georgia’s 45 official GED Testing Centers to ensure that adult learners, their families, and local communities are fully aware of the new fees before they take effect this summer.

There are almost 1.1 million Georgians over the age of 25 who are still without their high school or GED diploma. For more information regarding the fee increases, contact the local GED testing center, or call Kim Lee, the state director of GED testing, at 404-679-4959 or email klee@tcsg.edu.

A list of all GED Testing Centers in Georgia and additional information is available at www.tcsg.edu/foradultlearners.php