Get a diploma through GED
Option 1: Apply to Principal of a High School
A person may apply to the principal of a senior high school in the community to obtain a High School Equivalency Diploma if they are:
- 18 years or older as of September 1 of the current school year
- have been out of school for at least 10 consecutive months
- deficit in the credits needed for an Alberta High School Diploma
Additional information about this alternative can be found in the Guide to Education.
Option 2: Pass 5 GED Tests
The second method of obtaining a High School Equivalency Diploma requires that an individual write and pass the 5 General Educational Development (GED) tests.
The 5 GED Tests
Test 1: Language Arts – Writing Test (Part I and Part II)
Test 2: Social Studies
Test 3: Science
Test 4: Language Arts – Reading Test:
Test 5: Mathematics (Part I and Part II)
Eligibility
To receive a High School Equivalency Diploma by writing GED tests, a person must meet of the following eligibility requirements:
- 18 years of age or older
- have been out of school for at least 10 consecutive months
- pass all five tests in the General Educational Development (GED) test battery, with a standard score of 450 or better for each tests
- meet the eligibility requirements
GED writing centres
For information regarding registration deadlines, fees, and test dates, contact the writing centre of your choice.
| Community | Writing centre | Phone number |
|---|---|---|
|
Calgary |
Bow Valley College |
|
|
Cold Lake |
Portage College |
|
|
Drayton Valley |
Norquest College |
|
|
Edmonton |
Norquest College |
|
|
Edson |
Grande Prairie Regional College, Edson Learning Centre |
|
|
Fairview |
Grande Prairie Regional College |
|
|
Fort McMurray |
Keyano College |
|
|
Grande Prairie |
Grande Prairie Regional College |
|
|
Hinton |
Grande Prairie Regional College, Hinton Learning Centre |
|
|
Lac La Biche |
Portage College |
|
|
Lacombe |
Burman University |
403-782-3381, ext. 4141 |
|
Lethbridge |
Lethbridge College |
|
|
Lloydminster |
Lakeland College |
|
|
Manning |
Manning Community Adult Learning Centre |
|
|
Medicine Hat |
Medicine Hat College |
|
|
Red Deer |
Red Deer College |
|
|
Rocky Mountain House |
Rocky Community Learning Centre |
|
|
Slave Lake |
Northern Lakes College |
|
|
Stettler |
Stettler Adult Learning Centre |
|
|
St. Paul |
Portage College |
|
|
Taber |
Taber and District Community Adult Learning Association |
|
|
Whitecourt |
NorQuest College, Whitecourt Campus |
Some of the above writing centres also offer GED preparation classes. GED tests are available in French upon request.
Get your marks
If an individual has passed all 5 GED tests with a minimum standard score of 450 in each test, Alberta Education will mail out a High School Equivalency Diploma to the student.
The timeline for the High School Equivalency Diploma to be mailed to the student is 4 to 6 weeks from the writing of the GED tests.
GED Marks Online
View or request GED Marks through myPass, a secure self-service website for students to access their education information.
Contact
To connect with the Business Coordination, Exam Administration, Special Cases Unit:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-492-1400
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: special.cases@gov.ab.ca
Address:
2nd Floor, Dentistry/Pharmacy Building
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2N8