CSI Academic Development Center

Welcome to the GED/HSE program

Requirements

1. Must be at least 18 years of age or be:
   • One year or more behind in high school credits earned.
   • Expelled from school.
   • Pregnant
   • A parent.
   • Entering college, the military, an employment training program such as the WIA or other state or federally-approved program, or enrolled in an Adult Education Program
   • Enrolled in the JOB Corps.
   • Incarcerated
2. All 16-17 year old students must: 1) Obtain a waiver release from the High School or you can come to the CSI Academic Development Center and pick up a release form; 2) Have the waiver signed by the counselor of the school you would otherwise be attending, and by your parent or guardian, and yourself; 3) Make an appointment to meet with the Intake Personnel prior to any testing and bring the above mentioned information with you to the meeting. The above criteria pertains to all students not currently enrolled in a public school .
3. Assessment: The Tests of Adult Basic Education (TABE) is a free assessment that is designed to measure skill levels in reading, language, and math. The test will enable instructors to diagnose, evaluate, and successfully place examinees in appropriate Adult Basic Education classes. The test is designed to measure skills at the time of assessment. Assessment testing is available at the CSI Academic Development Center on Tues. and Thurs. mornings at 8:00 a.m. or Tues. and Thurs. evenings at 4:30 p.m. Pre-registration Required .
4. Difference between our program and the public school :
   • Although an instructor supervises classes in our program, you are more on your own to study and move forward (at your own pace).
   • Ours is a self-motivated and self-directed program.
   • Your attendance will need to be satisfactory or you may be exited from the program
5. Completing this program requires time and commitment :
   We are always asked, "How long will this take?" The answer depends upon three things:
   • The level at which you test when you enter the program.
   • How often you attend classes.
   • How hard you work when you are here.
   • You determine your success!
6. Schedule of Classes : Think about your current time commitment.
   • The program at CSI is available 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Mon.-Thur., and Tues. & Thur. 6:30-9:30 p.m.
   • We also have programs available at off-campus sites: JEROME - BURLEY - GOODING - HAILEY
7. All students must :
   • Take a Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE). This will assess skill levels in reading, math, and language. If your level is above 12.9 you will be ready for the GED pre-tests, if not, you will be scheduled into classes.
   • Enroll in the ABE/GED program to upgrade skills in order to successfully complete the GED or
   • Begin taking the GED battery of tests.
8. Typical questions about GED & HSE :
   • What is a GED? The GED is a nationally recognized series of tests for high school equivalency. The GED timed battery of tests consists of five separate subject exams.
   • State of Idaho High school equivalency certificate : In addition to the GED tests, the state of Idaho requires an American Government credit to receive a HSE . This credit may be obtained in any of these ways:
     • American Government Class (12th grade or college level) taken in Idaho with a passing grade. A copy of the transcript with this government grade must be given to the GED Examiner.
     • Government Challenge Test consists of 95 multiple choice questions plus a five-point essay. 70% or above is passing. An appointment must be scheduled during GED testing time for this test.
   • What tests are included in the GED? How long are they?
     What information do they cover?
     

     Test #1	1 hr. 15 min. 45 min.	Language Arts, Writing Multiple Choice (Part I) Essay (Part II)	Sentence Structure (30%), Usage (30%), Mechanics (25%), Organization (15%). Measures Writing Ability
     Test #2	1 hr. 10 min.	Social Studies	History (40%), Civics &Government (25%), Economics (20%), and Geography (15%).
     Test #3	1 hr. 20 min.	Science	Life Science (45%), Earth & Space Science (20%), Physical Science (35%).
     Test #4	1 hr. 5 min	Language Arts, Reading	Literary Texts (75%), Nonfiction Texts (25%).
     Test #5	1 hr. 30 min.	Mathematics	Number Operations & Sense (25%), Data Analysis, Statistics, & Probability (25%), Algebra (25%), Measurement & Geometry (25%).

• All five tests can be taken in one day, but it is usually recommended that testing be divided into a minimum of two days. Many people take only one test at a time. An appointment will need to be made prior to testing day.
• What scores are necessary to pass the GED?
  A minimum score of 410 (standard score) is needed to pass each test and an average score of 450 on all five tests to pass the GED.
• How much does it cost to get the GED?
  There is a $15.00 charge for each exam, or $75.00 for the five GED exams. The Government Challenge Test is also $15.00, as are any retakes of the tests. The cost for the High School Equivalency is a total of $90.00. ($75.00 for the GED Test Battery + $15.00 for the government test).
  
  
9. Students taking a GED test must present a picture I.D. (driver's license, passport, military, or government ID card)
   
   
10. Each GED test must be paid for before it can be taken. All tests are to be paid for in the Testing Center reception area of the library or in the Matrix in the Taylor Building, CSI Twin Fall Campus, or a Business Office in another Outreach Center. Please bring receipt for payment at the time of testing.
11. Pre-registration for all GED tests is required by calling prior to the desired testing day.
12. GED testing schedule : (Final Tests)

    CSI - Meyerhoeffer Building (Library) on the SW side of CSI's Twin Falls campus
    	Monday	Wednesday
    	8:00-4:30 p.m.	8:00-4:30 p.m.
    		4:00-9:30 p.m.
    Outreach Centers
    	1st Friday	Mini-Cassia CSI Center -Burley	8:30 a.m.- 1:50 p.m.
    	2nd & 4th Monday	Mini-Cassia CSI Center - Burley	5:30 - 9:50 p.m.
    	3rd Thursday	Wood River H.S. - Hailey	1:00 - 9:00 p.m.

13. A College of Southern Idaho GED/HSE graduation is held in early May of each year. All tests must be completed prior to graduation in order to participate.

For any additional information call 732-6534 or Toll Free 1-800-680-0274 - EXT: 6534
Address:

Academic Development Center
College of Southern Idaho
315 Falls Avenue
P.O. Box 1238
Twin Falls, Idaho 83303-1238