Free GED prep and practice available at Modesto Junior College

Modesto Junior College Community Education is offering free GED prep and practice, with practice test dates open Feb. 29 to March 5.

There are no fees for practice tests or study classes, and all books and study materials are provided at no cost to students. The program is flexible to fit around busy schedules, with students studying just the subjects they need to learn.

Students register to take official GED practice tests offered in four subject areas. Each test determines if the student is likely to pass, or needs to study in that particular area. Program availability is first-come, first-served. However, if a class is full, students are encouraged to sign up on the waiting list.

Study classes are 90 minutes long and meet twice a week for five weeks. Up to four classes (one in each subject) may be taken in each five-week session and students can retake subject classes when needed.

“You can spend as little as 3 hours a week on one subject at a time, or take up to four subjects, for a total of 12 class hours a week,” said Elizabeth Orozco-Wittke, MJC manager of community education and contract programs. “Our instructors help students understand the content, teach important test-taking strategies, and provide tools to succeed. Students may also progress faster by adding additional study time at home.”

Following a class, students again take a practice test to see if they are likely to pass that subject area of an official examination at a GED Testing Service Center. Taking the GED for credit (not practice) costs $35 per subject in California, or $140 in total, with a retake fee for those who do not pass the first time.

Students who do not attend testing or class will be dropped and will need to register in a future class to continue. Students are required to arrive on time for tests and late arrivals will need to reschedule.

Practice tests are taken on a computer using the same program as the actual GED test. Testing sessions begin with a step-by-step orientation. No computer experience is necessary. Each student selects a practice test from the following subjects with test times given: reasoning through language arts (75 minutes); mathematical reasoning (58 minutes); science (45 minutes); and social studies (45 minutes).

This story was originally published January 28, 2016 at 8:16 PM with the headline "Free GED prep and practice available at Modesto Junior College."