1. S/he has been withdrawn from secondary education programs for more than one full year and/or his/her class has graduated.  A letter or other document from the high school last attended verifying date of graduation or withdrawal is required.
2. S/he is on active duty in the armed forces.  A letter from the armed forces is required.
3. S/he is a parent.  A birth certificate with the applicant named as parent is required.
4. S/he is a ward of the State of Illinois.  A letter from the Department of Correction is required.

1) Language Arts, Writing Skills: contains 50 multiple-choice items and an essay. The multiple-choice section includes organization (15%); spelling, punctuation, and capitalization (25%); usage (30%); and sentence structure (30%). The 45-minute essay portion requires students to write a short (200 to 250-word) theme on a selected subject. Essays are graded on the student's ability to express thoughts in writing in a clear and organized manner. Since the score is a composite of the multiple-choice section and the essay, the student must pass both parts in order to pass the Language Arts, Writing test.

2)Social Studies: includes US history (25%), world history (15%), economics (20%), geography (15%), civics and government (25%); 50 items.

3) Science: includes life science (45%), earth and space science (35%), and physical science (20%); 50 items.

4) Language Arts, Reading: includes literary text (75%) and nonfiction prose (25%); 40 items.

5) Mathematics: includes numbers, number sense, and operations (20-25%); measurement and geometry (20-25%); data, statistics, and probability (20-25%); algebra, functions, and patterns (20-25%); 50 items. The first 25 items will allow to use of a calculator.

Most test items, including the entire math section, rely heavily on critical and analytical reading skills. Students are also required to take the Illinois High School Constitution Examination to qualify for the GED certificate.

Scoring Guidelines and Test Results
Each of the five subject tests is worth 800 points. A total score of 2250 points on all five tests is required to pass. However, a score of less than 410 on any subject area test will result in a failure grade on the entire GED test.

Students receive test results and scores in the mail four to six weeks after they have completed the examination. Although the GED examination is given at Daley, the Daley College Adult Education Office is not involved in the testing process and does not have tests scores. Students must direct all questions regarding their test results to the Cook County GED Testing Program 847.328.9795.

Retaking the GED Examination
Students who do not reach the required overall score of 2250 points and/or who fail to receive a minimum score on any of the subject area tests may request a retest. This retest can include the entire examination or the subject area test or tests that must be passed. Fees for retesting are $10 for the Writing Skills test and $5 for each of the other subject area tests. Retesting may be done any number of times, but no more twice in a single year.

Constitution Test and Verification Letter
Although Daley Adult Education Program is not formally involved in the official administration of the GED examination, the program is permitted to administer the Illinois High School Equivalency Constitution test to its students. Upper level GED Review students usually take this test in class. Students who have passed the GED examination but not the Constitution test may make an appointment with the ABE/GED Coordinator to take the test, which is given twice each month, once in the morning and once in the evening.

All graded Constitution tests are filed in the Adult Education Program office at the college. On receipt of the test, the Adult Education Program office issues official verification letters certifying successful completion of the test for students who receive satisfactory scores. In order to fulfill the Constitution test requirement, an official verification letter must be presented at the time of the GED examination or mailed to the Cook County GED Testing Program. Students may also take the Constitution test through the Cook County GED Testing Program.