Testing Services

General Educational Development

What is the GED?

GED (General Educational Development) Tests measure the outcome of a high school education. The GED Tests consist of five tests, one in each of these subjects: Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Writing, and Reading.

Who can take the GED test?

Eligibility for GED testing is established by the Texas Education Code, Section 7.111, which states that a resident of the state who has not graduated from high school is eligible to take the high school equivalency test in accordance with rules promulgated by the state Board of Education.

In order to take the GED tests, an applicant must:

·         be 18 years of age;

·         be a resident of the state; and

·         not be enrolled in school; and

·         not be a high school graduate.

An applicant 17 years of age may test if:

·      the applicant is a resident of the state;

• the applicant is not enrolled in school (exception is made if the applicant is enrolled in an approved in-school GED preparation program);
• is not a high school graduate; and
• the applicant has parental/guardian permission.

An applicant 16 years of age may test if:

• the applicant is a resident of the state;
• the applicant is not enrolled in school;

·     is not a high school graduate; and

• a public agency providing supervision of the person or having custody of the person under a   court order recommends that the person take the examination; or
• is in a Job Corps training program.

How can someone who has lost his/her GED certificate or test scores find the record?

Records of all certificates issued in Texas are on file at the GED Unit, Texas Education Agency. A candidate's complete name, date of birth, and Social Security Number are needed to locate a file. Requests from third parties, such as schools or employers, must bear a release signed by the record-holder.

If you wish to request a new or duplicate GED certificate, click on the link below:
GED Certificate Request

THEA (Texas Higher Education Assessment)

Texas Legislature replaced the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) with the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) and replaced the TASP exam with the THEA (Texas Higher Education Assessment), ASSET, COMPASS, and ACCUPLACER exams.  Under the new legislation, TSI requires all students be assessed prior to enrolling in college level coursework in the areas of Reading, Writing, and Math.

Individuals wishing to enroll, but have not taken the THEA Test, must take the Accuplacer Test, which is administered by qualified college personnel.  Prospective students who do not pass a portion(s) of the THEA or Accuplacer Test must participate in remediation in at least one deficient area in order to be enrolled in college-level coursework.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON TESTING HOURS AND A LISTING OF ALL TESTS ADMINISTERED AT TSTC, CLICK HERE.

:: Who Must Take the THEA (TASP) Test?

The requirements for taking the THEA (TASP) test apply to students who are entering or enrolled in a Texas public institution of higher education (i.e. a college, university or technical institute), and teacher education students at both public and private institutions in Texas.

• Students enrolling in associate degree programs or any certificate program
• Students transferring from out-of-state institutions or from private Texas colleges or universities
• Students who meet the legal definition of deaf but have not taken and passed three or more semester credit hours or the equivalent prior to September 1995 must take the Stanford Achievement Test for hearing impaired students in lieu of the THEA (TASP)

:: Who is exempt?

• Students who meet qualifying standards on the SAT, ACT, TAAS, or, after Fall 2004, the exit-level TAKS.  Those scores are good for five and three years, respectively
• Students who have graduated with an associate or baccalaureate degree
• Students who transfer to a Texas IHE from a private or independent IHE or an accredited out-of-state and who have satisfactorily completed college-level coursework as determined by the receiving institution
• Students who have attended any institution and have been determined to have met readiness standards by that institution
• Students serving in the military

:: What exemptions have disappeared?

• Grandfathering
• Deaf students
• Dyslexia and related disorders
• High school graduates
• International students
• Students 55 or older
• THEA (TASP) waived
• Certificate programs

To register for the THEA or to find out test dates log on to: http://www.thea.nesinc.com

FOR ADDITIONAL TSI INFORMATION (PLACEMENT REQUIRMENTS, TEST STANDARDS, ETC.), CLICK HERE.  Type "TSI" in the search box.

For more testing information, contact:

Departmental Secretary                956.364.4310

TSTC-Harlingen Testing Center      956.364.4308

GED Testing Information                956.364.4316