The cost of the General Educational Development (GED) test rose considerably after Jan. 2 of this year — $40 to $120 — when all aspects of the test became privatized. With vouchers and scholarships available through Collins Career Center the cost could be reduced to the original $40 and in some cases no cost at all.

Associate Director of Collins Career Center Sandra Andrews said the purpose of the $80 voucher is to encourage students who complete the GED to continue getting an education.

“When people apply to take the GED and apply for a voucher they also sign up to receive all Collins Career Center documents,” Andrews said. “We also have scholarships available to cover the other $40 so the test could potentially be free.”

A practice test is available through the ABLE program, Andrews said.

The nearly nine-hour test is all on computer, is given in two sections on Friday only and has four parts: literacy, social studies, science and math.

“We have a success rate of over 90 percent,” Andrews said. “We have been giving the test for more than a decade and have been graded exemplary.”

For more information, call Andrews at 740-532-3140 ext. 1261.