Is It Better To Finish High School Or Take The GED Exam?

Taking the GED test and obtaining a GED credential is a prudent option for adults who dropped out of high school. The GED tests, when taken altogether can be accomplished in 7.5 hours. If you achieve good scores, you can avail of various opportunities when it comes to your academic and career undertakings, such as being hired at a better-paying job, getting a promotion or going to college. It may sound appealing, but there are advantages and disadvantages to consider when opting to obtain a GED diploma vs. a high school diploma.

A GED diploma is deemed to be an equivalent of a secondary school diploma. Passing the GED test and acquiring a GED credential means that you have the same skills set of a high school student. However, there are different requirements and different results pertaining to getting a GED diploma and a high school diploma.

Know The Pros and Cons

It is apparently faster to get a GED diploma. You do so after passing a test that covers the 4 subject areas of Science, Math, Social Studies and Reasoning Through Language Arts. On the other hand, working for your secondary education diploma lets you go through valuable life experiences. The GED test may be taken by adults aged 17 years old and above who have dropped out of college, and it is ideal for those who are past the age of highschool learning. Going to highschool prepares students for college education and a highschool diploma is accepted in both the US as well as abroad.

The disadvantages of taking the GED are that it tends to be a difficult exam and its corresponding credential may not be accepted by schools and companies abroad. That of a studying in secondary school is that it takes a long time to complete- 4 years to be exact.

Who Is A Better Candidate For The GED Test?

The average age of GED test takers is 26- mostly individuals who have been out of school for 10 years or so. They may be embarrassed to go to school to finish their secondary education or might have work and family obligations already. For highschool students who are at least 16 years old, taking the GED test may be an alternative route to pulling it through until their graduation.

The better recourse, nonetheless, is to finish high school. Unless situations that are extreme are forcing a student to leave high school, it makes more sense to achieve a high school diploma. If caught in a quandary of either finishing high school or taking the GED, it is a smart decision to talk with a school counsellor first.

Think Wisely Before Making A Decision

Thus, if one has the capability and the means to finish highschool, it is wise to do so. Attending and finishing highschool provides a student with helpful life and hands-on experiences that aid in their healthier social development, too. In the same manner, although a GED credential is considered as an equivalent of a high school diploma, employers would still prefer hiring an applicant that holds the latter.

These are the benefits and the downsides of the GED certificate vs a high school diploma. Think wisely and seek sensible advice before deciding which option to take.