GED Prep and FAQ

What You Need to Know About Earning Your GED With Apt Academy

What is the General Educational Development?

The GED is a high school equivalency exam that measures knowledge and skills in four core subject areas: math, science, social studies, and language arts. It is comparable to a traditional high school diploma.

Not quite, but it does serve the same purpose. While a high school diploma is earned through classes and coursework over four years of public school, the GED is earned by passing a series of exams. It is designed to test the same knowledge students would acquire over a 4-year high school program. Most employers, colleges, and trade programs accept the GED as an equivalent credential when considering individuals for employment or enrollment.

While eligibility varies by state, in Oregon, students must:

  • Be at least 16 years old.
    • 16 or 17-year-olds must have parental permission to take the exam, or be enrolled in an Oregon GED Option Program, or be legally emancipated or married
  • Not be currently enrolled in a high school
  • Not already have a high school diploma
  • Have a valid government-issued photo ID (REAL ID, driver’s license, or passport)

The GED includes four separate tests in the following subject areas:

  • Mathematical Reasoning
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Reasoning Through Language Arts

You may take them one at a time or all at once.

The GED is designed to test for the knowledge and skills that a graduating high school senior should have. For most students, especially with the help and support that Apt Academy will provide, it’s both approachable and manageable. For students who might find it challenging, focusing on one subject area at a time is often a successful strategy.
There is no set timeline, so it can be tailored to an individual student. For some students, it may take a few months, for others longer, depending on their needs and abilities. However, a structured, focused program with support, such as at Apt Academy, can accelerate the process.

At Apt Academy, our goal is your success. We want our students to feel confident going into the tests, and so our preparation will include:

  • Classes focused on the test areas
  • Practice tests to help students identify which subjects need additional study
  • Test-taking skills, study guides, and structured support
  • One-on-one tutoring for extra support as needed

Our program will focus on a combination of class instruction, individual support, and independent study

No. Apt Academy will prepare students for the exam and ensure they are appropriately registered at a testing location or completely prepared to take the exam online at an approved testing center.
Currently, the GED costs $44 per subject area test and $176 if all tests are taken at the same time.

The following locations, near Canby, have GED testing centers:

  • Clackamas Community College
  • Portland Community College
  • Chemeketa Community College
Apt students will take the GED, in person, at an approved testing center.
Each subject area of the GED is scored on a scale of 100–200. To pass, students must score 145 or higher in each subject. However, students who score higher on individual tests may qualify for college-ready or credit-eligible designations.
There is no penalty for not passing a GED test. In fact, you can retake any section you don’t pass.

In most cases, test results are available within a few hours or a few days, depending on the subject. Naturally, some sections, such as essays, may take longer to score, and so results may take a bit longer.

Absolutely. For students who wish to pursue further education, most community colleges, trade schools, and many universities accept the GED. Some schools may require additional placement testing, but many students, even those from public schools, often need to take the same tests.

For many students, paying for college is a top concern. Having a GED rather than a high school diploma will not impact your eligibility for federal financial aid, including grants and loans. Like all other students, you’ll need to complete the FAFSA.

Most employers and institutions of higher education require a high school diploma or GED. For students outside the public school system, the GED opens the door to opportunities, from higher education to better jobs and career advancement.

At Apt Academy, we’re working to create successful students, community leaders, and individuals prepared for the future, whatever they might choose. The GED is one part of this, and we’re excited to offer this opportunity to our students.

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Oregon Homeschool Testing Requirements: What You Need to Know

Oregon requires all homeschool students to complete standardized testing at specific grade levels to ensure their academic progress.

All students must complete state-required testing in:

  • 3rd grade
  • 5th grade
  • 8th grade
  • 10th grade
  • GED

These tests are used to measure academic progress and ensure that students are making progress in core subject areas. While there are remediation steps in place should a student not meet the benchmarks, most students receiving individualized support and consistent, structured instruction have no issue meeting or exceeding state-level expectations.

Students may also opt to “test ahead” should be they be performing at a grade level beyond their age. Additionally, students who do not perform well but still achieve a score that is higher than what the state requires, we can re-test to measure progress.

Testing Options For Homeschool Families

While the state mandates testing four times during a student’s K-12 education, parents or guardians may request additional grade-appropriate testing at any time to help evaluate a student’s progress. These tests may be administered outside of the required testing years.

Additional testing may help families and students:

  • Measure progress during non-testing years
  • Identify opportunities for growth as well as student strengths
  • Offer testing practice and build confidence before the required testing
  • Create clear goals and benchmarks for student academic progress

Testing is designed to be a tool, one that lets families, students, and teachers assess student progress and better tailor instruction and support to meet an individual student’s needs. Testing flexibility provides that opportunity, but the only standardized tests required by Apt Academy are the ones required by the state.

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How Apt Academy Supports Students and State Testing Requirements

Testing is an opportunity and a tool. It allows us to assess not only student progress but also how we, at Apt Academy, are supporting students and their academic achievements. For that reason, we see testing as part of our larger approach to student learning.

To ensure student success in academic testing and beyond, we:

  • Prepare students with structured instruction, aligned with existing educational standards
  • Regularly monitor student progress, not just when the state mandates testing Provide instruction and support in all academic areas before, during, and after required testing
  • Provide instruction and support in all academic areas before, during, and after required testing
  • Administer state-mandated and grade-level testing when appropriate or requested
Our mission is to ensure students are not only prepared to meet Oregon homeschool testing requirements but also to build confidence and prepare them for their futures, academically and beyond.

Testing as a Tool and Opportunity

Many of us remember standardized testing in school, and for some students, those benchmark tests can feel intimidating. At Apt, we stress that there’s no reason to feel pressure or fear around state testing. Instead, it’s an opportunity for us to demonstrate a student’s ability to meet or exceed state-level requirements for their appropriate grade level.

We see, and frame, testing as:

  • An opportunity to check in on progress, not judge it
  • A way to identify areas for growth or additional instruction
  • A tool to reinforce abilities, boost confidence, and ensure readiness

We work to ensure students are prepared for tests and see them as an opportunity to demonstrate their current level of learning. In this way, they become an extension of instruction, not an intrusion or obstacle to their academic progress.

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Supporting Apt Academy Students And Marking Milestones

At Apt Academy, we pride ourselves on our flexibility and our ability to tailor instruction to individual students’ needs. We believe this model results in strong academic outcomes, but providing an education to your student also comes with responsibility.

Our mission hinges on that responsibility and our obligation to ensure we’re meeting the needs of families, students, and their educational and academic needs.

With that in mind, Apt Academy will provide:

  • Clear guidance and information regarding Oregon homeschool requirements (including testing)
  • Structured instruction and support to meet those requirements (and more)
  • Testing preparation, administration, and analysis
  • A learning environment that prioritizes support, progress, and student confidence

We’re looking forward to supporting your student through their academic career, helping them meet education goals, and helping families navigate state educational requirements for homeschool students.

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