Back to EMSC Home SED Home Disclaimers and Notices

                                                                            GED TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS

Large-print and audiocassette editions are available in English, Spanish and French. Braille is available in English and Spanish only.

APPROVED TEST ADMINISTRATION ACCOMMODATIONS:

The test administration accommodations that may be approved for candidates with disabling conditions include the following:

-Extended time
-Special location/private room/small group
-Audiocassette
-Large print
-Calculator/talking calculator
-Scribe
-Supervised breaks
-Sign language interpreter

Extended Time – Some candidates with disabling conditions may require more time than usual to complete the tests. Such candidates may be entitled to:
-up to twice the normal time limit to complete each of the GED tests
-up to time and one half to complete each of the GED tests
-tests administered one per day over the course of five (5) days §
-frequent breaks (as appropriate)–the forms must specify time on task and off task (e.g. 50 min on/10 min off).

Special Location/Private Room - Some candidates with disabling conditions may be non-ambulatory or may require special equipment or care that would preclude their testing at the local test center. In such cases the following arrangements will be made to test candidates:
-Individual administration
-Small group administration
-Test at home or another location that is suited to the needs of the handicapped individual

Use of Audiocassette and Large-print Edition – Some candidates with disabling conditions will be unable or minimally able to see the printed test questions. These candidates are entitled to:
-Audiocassette edition with print reference copy
-Large-print edition of the GED tests
-Braille edition of the GED tests

Use of a Calculator - Commencing with testing on February 1, 2002, everyone will be able to use a calculator for Part I of the mathematics test, and only those who have a testing accommodation approval letter from the GED Testing Office in Albany will be allowed to use the calculator for Part II. The procedures for calculator use as a testing modification have not changed with the new test.

Visually impaired candidates are allowed to use talking calculators while taking the mathematics test.

Use of Scribe – Some candidates with disabling conditions are unable to record their responses to the test questions in the conventional manner. Such individuals may request:

-An examiner or proctor to serve as a scribe in recording a candidate’s responses. When dictating responses to the essay portion, the candidate must supply spelling of more difficult words, note all paragraph breaks, punctuation and specify grammar.

Use of an Interpreter – A certified sign language interpreter may be used to interpret test instructions and the essay topic only- not the multiple choice questions to candidates with hearing impairments.  The interpreter cannot be a relative or friend of the candidate. The Chief Examiner should call the NY Society for the Deaf, F.E.G.S (Federation Employment and Guidance Service) at 212-366-0075, or 212-366-0076, and ask for Beverly Benjamin for all test sites in NYC and Long Island. Please allow at least two weeks’ advance time for your request for sign language interpreters. The agency then sends a voucher to SED for payment. For sign language interpreters outside of NYC and Long Island, please contact the Language Services Associates at 607 Easton Rd. Building C, Willow Grove, PA 19090. The contact for the Language Services Associates is Laura Schriver at (215) 657-6571 Ext. 101 or 800-305-9673 Ext. 101; fax # (215) 659-7210; e-mail: Lschriver@LSAweb.com  web site: www.LSAweb.com.  Please refer to State contract number PS59322 (contract period: 5/9/2002 – 11/1/2006). (See page 34 for information on using a video with signed instructions).

RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE

If an individual needs to have alternate GED scheduling due to religious beliefs, he or she must submit to the local site a completed Application for GED Testing (Attachment A) along with a letter from an authorized representative of a religious organization describing the need for alternate scheduling. This letter must be on official letterhead with an original signature. The Examiner will then forward the materials to the Albany GED Testing Office for approval.

ACCOMMODATIONS NOT ALLOWED

Computers: Computers represent “unreasonable accommodations” for the GED Tests since they present the risk that test items may be stored on hard drives. The cost to test security, should such violations occur would be great. For this reason, computers may not be used to write essays or record test answers except as described below. Word processing and spell checking programs may not be used.

Exceptions to the prohibited use of computers may be granted by the GEDTS in extreme circumstances. Such cases are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. In the past, computer use has been permitted for quadriplegic individuals who could not move any parts of their bodies but who could communicate with the assistance of a computer controlled by eye contact. In some instances, candidates with visual impairments have written their essay using a Brailler connected
to a computer that printed the essay in regular type. Other computer-controlled reading machines have also been allowed. These accommodations require approval from the State GED Administrator and GEDTS.

Readers: Because the GED tests are available on audiocassette, the tests may not be read to candidates.

Rulers: Measuring devices such as rulers and scales may not be used, because they may serve as unauthorized aids during certain portions of the test. For candidates requiring the use of a straightedge as a reading or spatial orientation aid, see the next section.

ACCOMMODATIONS NOT REQUIRING APPROVAL BY GEDTS-TRAINED PERSONNEL

The Chief Examiner may permit the use of the following adaptations and devices without prior approval from the State GED Administrator, GED Testing Service, or GEDTS-trained and certified personnel.

Colored transparent overlays: These devices, which resemble tinted overhead transparencies, are widely used by persons with visual impairments and those with learning disabilities who have difficulty decoding written words and symbols.

Clear transparent overlays and highlighter: The combination of clear (untinted) overlays and a highlighter can be used with the candidate who needs to use a highlighter while reading. The highlighting takes place on the clear overlay and protects the test booklet from becoming marked. All used overlays must be collected at the end of each test day.

Temporary adhesive notes (e.g. Post-it® Notes) with spatial directions: Candidates can affix temporary “sticky” notes on the answer sheet to accommodate a disability affecting spatial orientation. For example, the candidate might flag the sheet for top, bottom, right, and left.

Earplugs: The candidate may use earplugs as an aid in concentration. Some large-volume or busy testing centers routinely distribute disposable earplugs to all candidates.

Large-print test: The candidate may use the large-print editions of the tests under normal time limits upon request to the examiner. It is recommended that each GED testing center order at least one large-print test battery per year for this purpose.

Magnifying glass: The candidate may use his or her preferred type of magnifying device during test taking. If the candidate uses a magnifier during a standard testing session, the Examiner should take additional care to stagger test forms and must seat the candidate in such a way that prevents other candidates from seeing his or her test materials.

Straightedge: Candidates may use a plain, unmarked straightedge made from any safe material as an aid in spatial orientation and reading. If the straightedge is an additional piece of scratch paper issued by the Examiner, it must be collected at the end of the test day and destroyed with any other scratch paper.

Other devices as deemed appropriate: GEDTS allows all other devices without permission as long as they compensate for the disability and do not provide an unfair advantage.

Because the GED testing center may not have the candidate’s preferred device on hand, the candidate may be permitted to bring his or her own magnifier, overlays, etc. to the testing administration. It is the Chief Examiner’s prerogative to examine these materials to ensure that they do not contain any unauthorized testing aids.

The GED Chief Examiner is responsible for tracking the use of these aids by candidates. All requested uses of the large-print edition, including those not requiring documentation of a disability, are counted in the state’s Annual Statistical Report.

A videotape entitled: "Open Caption and Sign Language" is available by request from the SED shipping office. This video provides the directions for all parts of the GED tests in open caption and sign language. It can be used at the time of test administration for hearing impaired candidates.