John O'Connor / StateImpact Florida
Cynthia Williams is studying for the GED. She said she's had to learn how to use a computer to take the new online exam next year.
One of the big changes with the will be that the exam is going online. Students will no longer have a pencil and paper option and will have to take the exam on a computer.
GED Testing Services vice president Nicole Chestang said
They鈥檒l get their results the same day they take the exam. They鈥檒l also be able to get copies of their transcript or take a practice GED exam to find out if they are ready.
GED data from Florida and other states shows students taking computer-based tests are finishing their studies quicker, more likely to pass the test and more likely to take the test again if they fail a section, Chestang said.
There鈥檚 a secondary reason the tests are going online: It鈥檚 tough to find a job that doesn鈥檛 require computer skills.
鈥淎dults need basic computer skills to kind of be prepared for the most basic things in life today,鈥� Chestang said, 鈥渟uch as searching for or applying for a job and in some states it鈥檚 the only way to access social services. So we want to make sure adults who are entering today鈥檚 workforce have those basic skills.鈥�
Still, for adults taking the GED the computer is intimidating.
Hillsborough County teacher Travis McGinnis said he鈥檚 had to .
鈥淰ery nervous about it, because I鈥檓 not that used to a computer,鈥� said Cynthia Williams, who is studying for the GED. 鈥淚鈥檝e been practicing with my teenage children at home. They have been helping me. They know it all.鈥�
Copyright 2020 StateImpact Florida. To see more, visit . 9(MDAyNDY5MjM1MDEyODE2MzMyMTZmZDQwMg001))