Frequently asked Questions (FAQ's):

What does the acronym GED mean?
a.    General Educational Diploma or Graduate Equivalency Degree 

What do I need to know before enrolling?
a.    Must be 17 years of age or above, a resident of South Carolina with valid SC identification to be considered for enrollment.
b.   17-year-old high school students must have an application document signed by their parents, the high school principal, and the Rock Hill Director of Student Services before enrollment.
c.    Call 803-981-1375 to arrange registration and schedule pre-testing sessions. 
d.    Cost:  $40 nonrefundable fee which includes:  registration, TABE testing, software, classes, instructional material, etc. 

When are GED diploma classes scheduled?
a.    The adult education program follows the Rock Hill Schools yearly calendar.
b.    9:00 – 12:00 Monday through Thursday
c.    4:30 – 7:30 Monday and Tuesday only

When are English as a Second Language (ESL) classes scheduled?
a.    9:00 – 12:00:  Monday through Thursday

 Are on-line/virtual classes available?
a.    Yes, for qualifying participants and based on individual circumstances. Call the school to discuss this option.  

What if I can’t attend classes due to lack of child care, transportation needs, or a disability that keeps me from attending?
a.    Always communicate with your teacher or the director.  We have partnering agencies ready to help.  

May I take the four (4) GED exams without enrolling in the Rock Hill adult education program? 
Yes, but we are here to help prepare you for these exams.  Attending classes will significantly increase your chances of passing the four exams and earning the GED diploma.
a.    To sign up for the computerized GED using the internet go to www.ged.com and create a personal account.  (Be certain to remember your login and password, as it will be needed for each additional login.
b.    If you have never taken any portion of the GED test on computer, fill in the form under "Sign up for MyGED today."
c.    If you have taken a portion of the GED test on a computer, fill in your credentials under "Already registered? Sign in"
d.    Follow the online instructions and register for sections of GED tests you need.
e.    Should you have questions about how to sign up, call 1-877-EXAM-GED (1 877 392 6433)
f.    The staff does not have access to the available slots for dates & times. You can only find out what is available by logging into www.ged.com

What are the advantages of enrolling in the Rock Hill Adult Ed program versus pursuing the GED diploma independently?
a.    Full access to professional guidance and instruction services
b.    Experience in navigating the sometimes-difficult GED online process
c.    May receive scholarships to pay the cost of GED assessments (~$150 savings)
d.    Post-graduation college and career services available at no cost
e.    Employment assistance, including resume building, interview preparation, and soft skills training are available at no cost.

How long does it take to earn the GED diploma?
a.    It depends upon the individual’s academic readiness level, and more importantly, their commitment.

Where do I take my tests?
a.    All exams are scheduled and administered on-site at the Adult Education location:  501 Belleview Road, Rock Hill, SC. 29730.

What if I had an IEP in high school?  Am I still eligible for accommodations?
a.    If you are under the age of 21 before September 1st of the year, you enroll, you are still eligible for services.
b.    A request for special accommodations on the final GED exams, for individuals with an IEP, must be submitted to Pearson Vue (GED) for final approval in advance.

How difficult is it to earn the GED diploma?
a.    The exams are designed to be rigorous to meet the mandate for being equivalent to achieving the high school diploma.
b.    Success on the exams is dependent on the student’s focused and intentional commitment, planning, and preparation.
c.    There are four (4) final exams: Mathematics, English Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies.  The high school equivalency diploma is awarded upon successfully passing all four, with a score of 145 or greater on each exam. 
Practice exams are available at the GED website

Am I eligible to attend college with the GED diploma?
a.    Yes, 95% of all colleges except the GED diploma.
b.    200 is a perfect score on GED exams.  A score of 165 or higher on either exam is considered a college-ready score, which could assist in the college admission process.

Are the Rock Hill Adult Education teachers certified?
a.    Yes, all instructors are required to have a valid South Carolina teaching certificate.

Is staff available to assist students and graduates with employment and/or post-secondary training?
a.     Yes, a trained College and Career Counselor is available on site to provide in-class instruction, as well as individual counseling to assist participants in achieving their academic and career goals.

I earned a Work Ready Certification by passing the WIN exam. What does that mean?
a. The WIN Work Ready Certification is an indicator of the holder’s level of academic readiness to enter and be successful in the workforce with minimal training necessary. Achieving WIN Achievement Level 3 is an indicator of readiness for up to 60% of all jobs advertised in the O-Net online listings.  Achievement Level 4 is an indicator of readiness for 89% of all jobs.  Achievement Level 5 is an indicator of readiness in 100% of all job listings. Many employers will require candidates for employment to take the WIN assessment and score at a certificate level commensurate with the advertised job. To learn more about the benefits of earning a WIN Career Readiness Credential, review the websites. 
Work Ready Credential | Proctored Assessments (winlearning.com)
WRCredential_Brochure_2022 (winlearning.com)

 How do I know if I am making progress in class?
a.    Participants are tested when they enroll and post-tested after forty hours of instruction in Math and Reading.  Scores on the forty-hour post-test are compared to those on the entrance pre-test to measure the level of progress.

What if I need to be absent from class?
a.    Call the office or contact your teacher in the case of an absence.  

 If I attended classes previously, am I required to re-enroll?
a.    A new program year begins July1st of every year.   All students are required to re-enroll at the start of a new program year. 

If I am a former graduate, how do I get a duplicate copy of my diploma or an official copy of my transcript?
a.    To request a duplicate copy of your diploma or transcript click the link:   https://doesc.scriborder.com/  
b.    All diplomas and transcripts are issued by the SC Department of Education.

What other services are available to me?
York County Personal and Family Resources Quick Guide