GED Vs Online High School Diploma: What are the differences? Whether you’ve been out of high school for years or are just starting to consider your post-secondary options, earning your diploma is an important decision. There are a number of factors to weigh when deciding on whether a GED or an online high school diploma is the best fit for you.
Defining GED vs Online High School Diploma
The General Education Development (GED) test is designed for adults who have not received their high school diploma. It measures proficiency in math, social studies, reading, science and writing. Before taking the exam, it’s recommended that prospective test-takers study with a prep class or book. Since the 2014 revisions to the exams there are four subjects instead of five. These include reasoning through language arts, mathematical reasoning, science and social studies – all of which can be taken individually in different sessions at any time over the course of two years once you begin testing.
A passing score on an exam is 165 out of 200 points but only if a student gets at least 145 points on each section (except in writing where you need 149; however any score 160 or above allows you to pass). A total score of 2200 is considered average among college freshman admissions standards according to U.S. News & World Report but again this depends greatly on what schools and programs students wish to apply for in terms of acceptance requirements.
Note: Some students may decide against taking their state’s official GED test if they already have knowledge about some of the topics that will be covered – such as reading comprehension – but still want to graduate from high school even though they didn’t complete it initially because they were unable to do so for whatever reason (e.g., moving away from home or becoming pregnant). In these instances students may opt instead toward pursuing what’s known as an “honors” degree program online which would give them more control over how
GED
GED stands for General Education Development. It’s a high school equivalency test that can be taken in place of a high school diploma. The GED is sponsored by the American Council on Education and the U.S. Department of Defense, but it’s administered at the state level through partnerships with state departments of education or agencies established for this purpose (for example, the Florida Department of Education).
The GED test is comprised of five subject areas: reading, mathematics, science reasoning through language arts, social studies/history and economics/government; an optional essay; and an optional performance test (in computer-based format only).
Online High School Diploma
An online high school diploma is a more flexible way to get a high school diploma. You can work on your studies at your own pace and in the comfort of your own home. If you have already earned your GED, but haven’t satisfied all of the requirements for graduation, an online high school diploma is an option worth considering. Online schools are also more affordable than brick-and-mortar schools because they don’t require any physical buildings or instructors’ salaries.
What Is the GED?
The GED is a high school equivalency certificate that was developed in 1942. It’s accepted by all 50 states and many colleges, universities and employers.
- The GED stands for General Education Development, which means the program aims to give participants a general education that will allow them to pursue any career path or further educational pursuits they want to take.
What Is an Online High School Diploma?
An online high school diploma is a credential issued by an accredited online high school that verifies a student completed an approved course of study and passed the required exams. After successfully completing an online high school diploma program, students are eligible to apply for college or enter the workforce.
Some students choose to complete their GED requirements entirely at home while others opt for hybrid programs that combine face-to-face instruction with online lessons. In some cases, students might need to travel to a testing center in order to take their exams (typically those who live far away from where they attended class).
The Differences Between a GED and an Online High School Diploma
A GED is not a diploma, but it does show that you have the skills necessary to complete high school. A GED test measures basic skills in math, reading and writing, science and social studies, as well as computer skills. You will take the test on paper or electronically depending on where you live.
If you already have a high school diploma or are currently enrolled in an online high school program (or other form of accredited schooling), then the tests required for your state may be different than those listed above. Your state department of education can give you more information about this specific requirement
Reasons to Get a GED
There are many reasons to get your GED, including:
- It’s easy to do. The GED consists of five subject tests (reading, writing, math and science) that you can take in any order on computers at any location. The test is scored by computer immediately after completion, so you won’t have to wait for results like you would with SATs or ACTs.
- You can get one at any age. High school diploma requirements vary from state to state, but most require that students complete the tenth grade before graduating high school. If you completed ninth grade but never finished high school due to circumstances outside of your control that prevented further education opportunities (e.g., moving away), then getting a GED might be right for you!
- It’s fast! Unlike traditional high school diplomas awarded through regular classes at public schools or home-schooling programs, online high schools offer accelerated learning formats that allow students with busy schedules to complete their coursework in less time than it would take them otherwise—without sacrificing quality instruction or content knowledge acquisition processes associated with traditional classroom settings.”
Reasons to Enroll in an Online High School Program
- Convenient: The online high school programs are convenient for students to complete the coursework.
- Flexible: With the flexibility of an online high school program, students can work at their own pace and complete the coursework in a timely manner.
- Affordable: Online high school programs allow you to save money on tuition costs by transferring your credits from another institution if applicable and also save money on transportation costs as well.
- Variety of Courses: There is a wide range of courses available through online high schools including but not limited to various career-related courses such as health science technology, business administration technology and information systems technology along with traditional general education courses such as English composition or college algebra which will help prepare you for college level courses later down the road if desired.
- Self Paced: With an online format there is no need for classes on campus so it offers great flexibility for working parents who want their children home early after school every day instead after being stuck at some place all day long where they have little contact with family members so this way both parents can work full time jobs while still being able to spend more time with their families at home during evenings/weekends when kids get out earlier than normal due what ever reason whether that be because they took an advanced placement class or something else related towards advancing themselves academically within these different areas so overall we would definitely recommend considering this option when choosing how best meet everyone’s needs without compromising anyone’s happiness levels overall.”
Summary
GED and online high school diploma are both valid options for earning a high school diploma. You should consider your options carefully before making a decision about which one you want to pursue.
If you’re looking for flexibility, the GED is probably a good choice for you. It tends to take less time than an online high school diploma, and it’s cheaper as well—although not by much! If saving money isn’t that important to you and you want more structure in your studies, then the online option might be better suited to your needs.
Decide whether a GED or an online high school diploma is right for you
Both the GED and an online high school diploma can be beneficial for students, but each has its own pros and cons. If you’re interested in getting your diploma quickly, a GED might be right for you. If you want to take your time learning at your own pace, an online high school diploma might be better.
Conclusion
So, should you go for a GED or get your high school diploma online? Both options have benefits and drawbacks. If you’re looking for a quick, affordable way to obtain the equivalent of a high school degree, then the GED is probably the best choice. But if you are looking for an accredited education that will prepare you for college or for your future career path, online high school classes may be the better option. Keep in mind that no matter what you choose to do, it’s important to consider all of your options so that you can make an informed decision about your educational future.
