Adults who want to get their high school equivalency may want to consider taking a prep course to prepare them for the new Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC).
“The new test is much more sophisticated and the vocabulary is more difficult,” said Questar III TASC Test Coordinator Chris Foster. “It means people will need assistance to help prepare for the exam.”
As of January 2014, students seeking high school equivalency no longer take the General Education Development (GED®) Test. The New York State Education Department contracted with CTB McGraw Hill to write a new test to be aligned with the Common Core Learning Standards
The new TASC test includes more math, science and technology-related questions. The content is more reflective of today’s world.
According to Foster, who was an adjunct professor at Schenectady County Community College for twenty years, many of these changes were made to ensure students would be ready for college or a career.
“Colleges were putting a lot of pressure on the state to increase the rigor of the test,” said Foster. “Even in my own class I noticed that people were lacking basic skills; they just weren’t prepared.”
The new test contains the same five subject areas: social studies, science reading, writing and math. It will be offered both online and in paper-based format depending on where the student takes the test. One of the reasons the test is beginning to be offered in an online format to ensure students have the necessary 21st century skills. This includes being able to use a computer and other technology.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, full-time workers with a high school diploma or equivalent make an average of $10,000 more a year than someone who has neither.
Questar III offers a number of TASC preparatory courses at various times in Rensselaer, Columbia and Greene counties.
For information on courses in Rensselaer County, call 518-273-2264 x7057.
For information on courses in Columbia County, call 518-828-4157 x7252.
For information on courses in Greene County, call 479-6838.
