Main Difference – GED vs High School Diploma
GED and High school diploma are two academic qualifications which are considered to be equivalent. High school diploma is an academic school leaving qualification that is awarded upon high school graduation. GED (General Education Development) is a test which gives those have not completed their high school education an opportunity to earn their high school equivalent credential. The main difference between GED and high school diploma is the age level of students; students usually obtain their high school diploma around the age of 18, but those who complete their GED can be a lot older than 18.
This article covers,
1. What is GED? – Meaning, Features, Qualifications
2. What is High School Diploma? – Meaning, Features, Qualifications, Advantages
3. What is the difference between GED and High School Diploma? – Comparison of Subjects Tested, Advantages, etc.
What is GED
GED is an acronym that stands for General Educational Development. In Canada and the USA, GED is a qualification that is equivalent to the high school diploma. GED is a joint venture of American Council on Education and is developed by Pearson Education. GED is done by those who have not completed high school or those who do not have met the requirements for high school diploma. The minimum age level for this test is 16 years. GED tests four subject areas: science, mathematical reasoning, social studies and reasoning through language arts (proficiency in reading and writing).
What is a High School Diploma
High school diploma is an academic school leaving qualification that is awarded upon high school graduation. The common educational path for an average American is to complete elementary school and secondary school and then obtaining a high school diploma around the age 18. Most states give students one to three years after their 18th birthday to complete their high school coursework. The students usually study for this diploma over the course of four years, from Grade 9 to Grade 12. Unlike GED, a high school diploma involves more than four subjects; in addition to science, maths, social studies and language, the students are required to take subjects such as arts and music, physical education, secondary languages, etc.
Difference Between GED and High School Diploma
Definition
GED: GED (General Educational Development) is equivalent to a high school diploma.
High School Diploma: High school diploma is an academic school leaving qualification that is awarded upon high school graduation.
Age Level
GED: The minimum age level is 16.
High School Diploma: High school diploma is usually obtained at around the age 18.
Subject
GED: GED tests mathematics, science, social studies, reading, and writing.
High School Diploma: High school course work may involve other subjects such as physical education and fine arts, in addition to mathematics, science, social studies, and language.
High School
GED: GED is done by those who have not completed high school.
High School Diploma: High school diploma can be obtained only after completing the required course work.
Advantages
Although GED is often considered to be equivalent to the high school diploma, there are many advantages to a high school diploma. Not only it is considered to be superior to GED, but the actual experience of high school also offers a variety of valuable experience and opportunities other than education, such as different extracurricular activities, clubs, sports, etc.
Image Courtesy:
“Exam” by Alberto G. (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
“Benjamin Franklin High School – 1934” By AlaskaHelp – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
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