West Virginia's Policy Changes
As of 2015, West Virginia no longer offers the GED as a path to earning an equivalent high school diploma. Rather, the Test Assessing Secondary Completion, or TASC, is now used in West Virginia. In addition to this change, which went fully into effect January 1 of 2015, individuals who passed parts of the GED previous to 2015 will find that those scores are no longer valid toward an equivalency certificate.
TASC Overview
Five subjects - Reading/Language Arts, Writing, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies - are covered on the TASC. The highest possible score on each of the sections is 800, but a score of 500 or above is considered a passing score. (The Promise Scholarship requires a score of 550 or higher on each subtest.) Those who pass all five sections earn a State of West Virginia General Educational Development (TASC) Diploma.
The test can be taken for free and is available in English, Spanish or in Braille. Up to three attempts are possible in a calendar year, and test-takers who pass some sections but not others will only need to retake the subject tests where they fell short rather than retaking the whole test.
Test Format
The TASC is taken on a computer, but paper versions and other accommodations are available for those with certain learning or other disabilities. The five subject areas on the test are broken down as follows:
Math
The TASC calls for 105 minutes on the math section (50 with a calculator, 55 without); specific areas covered include number and quantity, algebra, functions, geometry, statistics and probability.
Writing
The writing section is allotted 105 minutes, and calls for an evidence-based composition in response to a prompt.
Reading
The TASC's reading portion is divided into a larger section that deals !with informational text and vocabulary; a shorter section addresses language and literature.
Social Studies
Both U.S. and world history are covered in the social studies section along with civics, economics and geography.
Science
Physical, life, earth and space science topics are included in this portion of the test, as well as scientific practices and applied science topics such as technology and engineering.
Eligibility
Applicants to take the test must be at least 16 years old and not enrolled in a high school. An additional requirement of having a parent or guardian's signature is also imposed on 16-18 year olds in most circumstances (home-schooled, emancipated or court-ordered teens may have different requirements). In order to register for the official TASC, individuals must take and pass a practice test, called the Test Readiness Assessment (TRA). Once that's accomplished, they can register either online or with assistance at the Adult Education Center or an Option Pathway school. A valid photo ID is needed.
