Evolution of the GED

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Evolution of the GED Online High School Diploma

Evolution of the GED Tests

Since 1942, the GED test has been around and there have been four different generations of the tests. The different tests include a 1942 series, 1978, 1988, and a series in 2002. These tests evolved in different ways.
The GED test have always included English language arts with a reading and writing section. They have also included social studies, science, and mathematics. Over the years, the tests have evolved and changed as secondary education has evolved and become more advanced. The tests are designed to assess the knowledge and proficiency in the areas required by a four-year high school educational program.
The 1942 GED tests reflected the industrial era during a time period when a high school education was the most common and sufficient for most jobs. The reason this test changed was because almost 50% of the test takers were taking the test for employment purposes. This proved most employers were okay with a high school education. However, by 1977 almost 40% of the test takers were taking the GED so they could continue their education. The 1942 series assessed knowledge traditionally by English focusing on effective expression and the other subjects focused on comprehension.
The 1978 series of GED exams changed because the public attitudes changed toward education. This series became characterized by shifting the emphasis of science and social studies to a completely separate reading test. The previous test asked testers to recall certain facts. This was changed to apply conceptual knowledge and evaluate information presented to a tester and answer questions about that information. Real-life contexts in a work or home setting was integrated into the tests and reading materials like newspapers, schedules, and other relevant adult content became a part of the tests.
The 1988 series of GED tests recognized the shift in society from industrial to an information society with the uses of technology. Global awareness and participatory democracy became important also. These changes affected adults and the GED Testing Service found reason to initiate a five-year review of the testing. Five changes were made to the test based on their review. These changes included adding an essay, increasing the emphasis on critical thinking and problem solving skills, increasing the reflection of adult roles in society, understanding the sources of changes in society, and contextual settings relevant to adults.
The GED test series in 2002 changed again. This is because the primary reason test takers were taking the tests were for employment reasons. However, in order for people to apply for postsecondary education and occupational training people also need to pass the GED exams. The changes in this series were a direct reflection of the national and jurisdictional levels of change in the workforce and with continuing education.
The GED tests have changed four different times since 1942. As the views of education change through society then it also changes educational requirements by employers and postsecondary educational facilities. Some occupational training facilities require a high school equivalent education in order to gain employment for certain jobs.

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