Important
The GED® will no longer be available in Canada as of May 3, 2024.
Albertans in the process of writing their GED® should plan to complete all their testing by May 3, 2024. Canadian Test Series prep courses and GED® writing centres should inform test takers of this date.
Alberta is leading the development of the Canadian Adult Education Credential as a replacement for the GED®. This new test will be available to Albertans and Canadians in 2024. Check this page for information and updates.
The following fact sheet has additional details. Please continue to check this page for information and updates.
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 is 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
- have an Alberta Student Number (contact 780-422-9337 regarding Alberta Student Numbers)
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 | Calgary Learning Institute Ltd. | 403-285-3555 |
| Calgary | Equilibrium Testing Centre | 403-453-4224 Contact: Cara Jeronimo |
| Cold Lake | Portage College | 780-639-0030 |
| Drayton Valley | Drayton Valley & District Community Learning Association | 780-542-3373 ext. 1 |
| Drumheller | Drumheller Community Learning Society | 403-823-8300 |
| Edmonton | A&D Tutoring | 780-444-9349 |
| Edmonton | Careers in Transition | 780-496-9228 |
| Edmonton | Norquest College | 780-644-6000 |
| Edson | Edson and District Community Learning Society (EDCLS) | 780-723-6247 Contact: Ewen Murray |
| Fort McMurray | Keyano College | 780-791-4800 |
| Grande Prairie | Grande Prairie Regional College | 780-539-2212 |
| Grande Prairie | Grande Prairie Public Library | 780-357-7467 |
| Hinton | Hinton Adult Learning | 780-865-1686 |
| Lac La Biche | Portage College | 780-623-5518 |
| Lacombe | Burman University | 403-782-3381 ext. 4141 |
| Lethbridge | Lethbridge College | 403-320-3368 |
| Lloydminster | Lakeland College | 780-871-5746 |
| Maskwacis | Maskwacis Cultural College | 780-585-3925 |
| Medicine Hat | Medicine Hat College | 403-529-3896 |
| Red Deer | Red Deer Polytechnic | 403-356-4900 |
| Rocky Mountain House | Rocky Community Learning Centre | 403-845-3276 |
| Ryley | Beaver County Community Adult Learning | 780-663-3731 |
| Slave Lake | Northern Lakes College | 780-849-8600 |
| Stettler | Stettler Adult Learning Centre | 403-742-2280 |
| St. Paul | Portage College | 780-645-5223 |
| Taber | Taber and District Community Adult Learning Association | 403-223-1169 |
| Wetaskiwin | Wetaskiwin Community Learning Program | 780-352-7257 |
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
Connect with the Business Coordinator, Exam Administration, Special Cases Unit:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-415-9242
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]
Address:
Main Floor, 13140 St. Albert Trail
Edmonton, Alberta T5L 4Y6