Statement of Purpose
The Tests of General Educational Development (GED Tests) are developed by the American Council on Education to enable persons who have not graduated from high school to demonstrate the attainment of developed abilities normally acquired through completion of a high school program of study.

History of the GED and the GED Testing Program
The first Tests of General Educational Development (GED Tests) were developed in 1942 to measure the major outcomes and concepts generally associated with four years of high school education.  Initiated by the United States Armed Forces Institute (USAFI), the original tests were administered only to military personnel so that returning World War II veterans could more easily pursue their educational, vocational, and personal goals.

Wide Acceptance of GED TESTS
Fundamental to the program's success has been the acceptance of the GED Tests as a valid means of awarding a high school diploma.  All 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, U.S. insular areas and freely associated states, and 11 Canadian provinces and territories use scores earned on the GED Tests as a basis for awarding high school credentials.  The state of Florida awards a high school diploma to those who successfully complete the GED Tests.  National surveys confirm that most employers and training programs consider applicants who hold a GED credential in the same manner as those who hold traditional high school diplomas.  In addition, most colleges and universities admissions guidelines call for acceptance of GED score reports instead of complete high school transcripts.

Each participating state, province, and territory administers the GED Tests and issues credentials based on its own minimum score requirement.

For more information check the Florida official GED WEB site: http://www.aceofflorida.org/ged/