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1.  Do I have to enroll in GED class in order to test for the Official GED test? 

2.  How do I enroll in GED class?

3.  Can I reserve a spot in orientation?

4.  What do I need to bring to orientation? 

5.  How early should I come to make sure I am admitted to the orientation?

6.  What happens during orientation?

7.  What is the TABE test?  Will it tell me if I can pass the GED? 

8.  If I have already taken and passed parts of the GED test, and only want to focus on one or two subjects, can I, (part 1)?

9.  If I have already taken and passed parts of the GED test, and only want to focus on one or two subjects, can I, (part 2)?

10.  What is the schedule for GED classes?

11.  If I am offered a class during orientation and I find that it does not work for me, may I transfer to another class? 

12.  If I am having a hard time in high school, should I leave and take the GED test or GED classes?

13.  How do you obtain the court order for 16 year olds? 

14.  What are GED classes like?
 
15.  How long will I be in class?

16.  If English is not my first language, but my goal is to pass the GED, should I go to ESL or GED classes first? 

17.  What if I have special needs in the classroom? 

18.  What if I have special needs, but do not have official documentation?  

19.  Who is eligible to enter GED/ABE classes?

1.  Do I have to enroll in GED class in order to test for the Official GED test?  No, you can test without attending a GED class.  If you believe you can pass the test without classes, you should contact ACC’s Business Assessment Office.  Their phone number is 223-7714, and their web site is:  http://www.austincc.edu/bact/ged/   Even if you don’t need to take classes, you may want to consider taking them.  Our program offers many benefits for students who are planning to continue:  scholarships, college advisors just for our program, and other dedicated services.

2.  How do I enroll in GED class?  The first step is to attend an orientation.  Click here for the orientation schedule and details:  http://www.austincc.edu/abe/gedora1.php

3.  Can I reserve a spot in orientation?  No.  Our orientations are first come, first serve.  We always recommend students arrive early.  Students who arrive after the start time will not be admitted. 

4.  What do I need to bring to orientation?  You must bring these documents to orientation (no admittance without required documents):   Current government issued identification (state, national, or foreign) picture ID (NO SCHOOL IDS) that includes your date of birth, pen, and pencil.  17 year-old students may attend with a copy of a withdrawal letter from the last school they attended. Students who have been home schooled or who have just moved to this area must obtain a withdrawal form from the school in their area where they would have been required to attend. 16 year-old students may attend with a copy of an official court order and a withdrawal letter from the last school they attended.  F1 and B1 visas are NOT eligible for this program.  No one under the age of 16 may attend these classes.

5.  How early should I come to make sure I am admitted to the orientation?  It is difficult to predict.  Some students have arrived 4 hours early, and some students have arrived 5 minutes before the orientation started and were admitted.  Night orientations are especially busy and in the past many students have been turned away.  Students who arrive after the start time will not be admitted.

6.  What happens during orientation?  Orientations are done in either one or two days.  If it is a two orientation, attendance at both days is required.  You cannot come only on the second day.  During the orientation, students are tested on the TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education) to determine their levels in language, math, and reading.   Students learn about the GED/ABE classes.  At the end of orientation, students are matched with a class that corresponds with their reading level as defined by the TABE test.

7.  What is the TABE test?  Will it tell me if I can pass the GED?  The TABE test is the Test of Adult Basic Education and it provides a general overview of your ability in the areas of language skills, reading, and math.  It provides a grade level equivalency.  It is one indicator of how well you can do on the GED (one of many your instructor will use), but it is not a guarantee either that you would do badly or that you would do well on the official GED test.  You will not be offered an evaluation of your performance on the TABE tests during the orientation.  This is something you and your instructor will discuss once you are placed into a class.  Please remember with all tests, one test score is a general indicator and not the final answer/authority on your ability or predictor of future performance.  It is only one piece of information about your math, language, and reading skills.

8.  If I have already taken and passed parts of the GED test, and only want to focus on one or two subjects, can I, (part 1)?  Right now most of our classes are general GED classes where students study all five subjects.  Some instructors try to allow students to focus on the subjects they need help/assistance with, but this is not always possible.  You should expect that some of the lectures/lessons will be focused on subjects other than the ones you need to study.  There is a chance that we will offer classes that focus on only one subject starting this fall, but the availability will be limited.        

9.  If I have already taken and passed parts of the GED test, and only want to focus on one or two subjects, can I, (part 2)?  There are other considerations when you have passed some portions of the GED test.   When you have previously passed parts of the GED test, did you take the test before January, 2002?  If so, your scores are no longer valid, so you will need to retake the whole test (the GED test was revised in 2002).  One other consideration is the scores of your other passing areas.  Even though you have passed portions of the GED, your scores may not be high enough to obtain the total passing score.  In this case, a class that focuses on all subjects would help you to raise your scores in all areas of the test.

10.  What is the schedule for GED classes?  We do not publish a schedule for GED classes.  There are a couple of reasons for this.  The first reason is that our schedule changes dependent upon need for the classes.  The second reason is that not all classes are available for all students.  Students are only offered classes that correspond with their reading level, and persons will not learn their reading level until they are assessed in the orientation.  We do, however, try to offer students two to three choices during the orientation that include a north, south, and central option.  The other important thing to remember, is that our classes and orientations are offered on a first come, first serve basis.  The earlier you arrive to the orientation, the better your class choices will be.  Also, it is important to note that we do not offer all classes on all campuses.  For information about class schedules, click here:  http://www.austincc.edu/abe/classschedule.php

11.  If I am offered a class during orientation and I find that it does not work for me, may I transfer to another class?  Yes, you may but you must remain in the original class for one month and meet the attendance requirements for that class.  You can then contact your case manager and arrange for a transfer.

12.  If I am having a hard time in high school, should I leave and take the GED test or GED classes?  This should be answered on a case by case basis, but please remember the GED test is not an easy test.  For many who have not passed the TAKS test, the GED test may also be difficult to pass.  Please remember also the requirements for entering our program: 16 year olds must be court-ordered, have an official withdrawal letter, and a state-issued ID, 17 year olds must have an official withdrawal letter, and a state-issued ID.

13.  How do you obtain the court order for 16 year olds?  This is an order given by a county judge to a 16 year old to attend GED class or if they are ready to test, to take the GED test.  It is usually only ordered when the judge believes regular ISD attendance for the 16 year old is no longer a viable option.  This could be due to attendance issues, a crime was committed, or for other reasons.  

14.  What are GED classes like?  Our classes are leveled to match reading levels, but provide opportunities to study all five subjects.  Teachers use different methods for instruction.  There are lectures, small group discussions, and self-directed study. 

15.  How long will I be in class?  Our classes are open-ended.  In other words, you can stay in the classes for as long as you need them to prepare for and pass the GED.  The length of time students stay in our classes before taking the GED ranges between 3 months and 6 years, with the average being around 1 to 2 years. 

16.  If English is not my first language, but my goal is to pass the GED, should I go to ESL or GED classes first?  This again is best answered on a case by case basis, but if you are a lower level English speaker it is usually best to start in ESL classes first.  GED classes do not focus on many of the skills ESL students need to learn, so often students who take ESL first move more quickly through the levels than students who opted to go to GED class first.  Also our department offers a transition class for higher ESL students who want to get their GED, and right now this class is only available to ESL students. 

17.  What if I have special needs in the classroom?  You should contact Kathy Dowdy, Counselor for the Adult Education Department at 223-5124 or by email: kdowdy@austincc.edu.  To obtain special services through ACC’s Office for Students with Disabilities, you will need to provide official documentation about your disability.  Please remember special accommodations at the college level are not the same as at the ISD level.  In order to arrange special accommodations for the GED orientation, these must be arranged at least two weeks in advance of the orientation.

Accommodations are also available for the official GED test but this is arranged through the ACC Business Assessment Center (the testing center that gives the GED test) and is ultimately approved by the GED testing center at the national office in Washington DC.  To start this process, you should call the Business Assessment Center at 223-7769.  For more information, please visit this web site:  http://www.austincc.edu/bact/ged/special.php.  Again you will need official documentation.

18.  What if I have special needs, but do not have official documentation?  Again contact Kathy Dowdy, Counselor for the Adult Education Department at 223-5124 or by email:  kdowdy@austincc.edu.  Although you may not (but still may) qualify for official accommodations, you may discuss with Kathy your preferred learning style or strategies you may use in the classroom to make it a more successful experience.

19.  Who is eligible to enter GED classes?  persons who are not required to be in secondary school and need the GED equivalent to a high school diploma. 

Other:  Information for students with special needs.
Contact us at 512/223-5123 or adulted@austincc.edu 
Recorded information line:  223-5300