New Jersey GED Requirements and Education Programs
New Jersey students who are looking to earn an equivalent high school diploma have options that include taking the General Education Development (GED) exam as well as the HiSET and the Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) exams.
Anyone who is at least 16 years old and a New Jersey resident is eligible to take a high school equivalency exam. Also, you cannot have previously earned a diploma or equivalency certificate, and you cannot currently be enrolled in high school. If you are between the ages of 16 and 17, your parent or legal guardian must have a Certificate of Consent to Participate signed by a notary or brought to the testing center. You can find details about the tests by locating an approved testing center near you on the New Jersey Department of Education website.
If you choose to take the GED exam, you must pass all of the test's sections in order to obtain your high school equivalency. There are four sections in the GED exam including: Reasoning through Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Math. To pass the GED exam in New Jersey, you must score a minimum of 145 points in each section.
Study help is available in various forms for individuals who want to prepare for these tests and earn their diploma. The two schools below are examples of institutions that offer flexible GED preparation programs. Read on to learn more about the programs and the schools themselves.
Mercer County Community College's GED Program
Mercer Community College is a 2-year institution that offers a variety of credit and non-credit courses to help students advance to 4-year institutions or enter the workforce. Based out of the James Kerney Campus, the school provides adult basic education (ABE) and high school equivalency (HSE) options.
GED Preparation
Students can take advantage of a self-paced GED preparation program. This preparation program is offered at locations throughout the Trenton, NJ, area via neighborhood extension sites. Mercer County Community College offers GED classes in both Spanish and English to improve basic skills and prepare for the test. Courses are open to those over the age of 16, but minors will require additional consent paperwork. Coursework covers foundational subjects such as reading, science and mathematics. Potential students should contact the school's adult education department for details.
Contact Info
- Address: N. Broad St. & Academy St., Trenton, NJ 08608
- Phone Number: (609) 570-3185
Bergen Community College
As part of the school's continuing education program, Bergen Community College offers students in the Hackensack area the opportunity to study for the GED or other high school equivalency exam with minimal cost. Bergen's Philip Ciarco Jr., Learning Center offers these non-credit programs in a way that accommodates different needs and work schedules; the learning center is also an official GED testing site.
GED Preparation
Flexible GED preparation course options are available at Bergen. Students should register for classes in person in order to be given a free practice test to determine their needs. A class might be designed to refresh academic skills and teach test-taking strategies or to help with specific subjects.
Contact Info
- Address: 355 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ, 07601
- Phone Number: (201) 489-1551
Why Get Your High School Equivalency Diploma in New Jersey?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, individuals with a high school diploma experience less unemployment and higher earnings than those who do not have a diploma. With several different paths to obtaining you high school diploma equivalency in New Jersey, the state makes it easy to pursue the next step in your career.
Need help preparing for the GED? Check out Study.com's GED Test Prep study guides, complete with bite-size video lessons, practice tests, informational resources, and more to make sure you ace the exam!
