IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2/29/2008 CONTACT: PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
SILVER CITY- Thanks to a generous donation by PNM, Western New Mexico University has been able to offer free GED testing to students. In 2007, PNM paid for the GED testing from April through December, which paid for 109 candidates.
“I saw a record number of candidates tested in 2007, due to the generosity of PNM,” said BJ Smith, WNMU Student Advisor/Test Coordinator.
For the year of 2007 the number of GED tests distributed almost doubled. “Economically speaking, it has been a phenomenal opportunity for candidates who would have otherwise not been able to take the test,” said Smith.
Since last May, Smith reports she recruited 34 GED graduates from the Silver City and T or C test sites to become WNMU students. “It has been a wonderful opportunity to meet these candidates and help them achieve their goal of passing the GED and becoming university students,” she said.
“As an employee of WNMU I cannot thank PNM enough for their support throughout the years. They have truly been a friend of Western’s and provided GED candidates with an opportunity to achieve their goals,” added Smith.
The GED test has five sections: writing, math, science, social studies, and reading. The cost of the GED test is $50, which is due before taking the test. The test is offered to candidates 16 years of age or older that have been disenrolled from high school. Any candidate under the age of 18 has to complete an underage consent form signed by their parent or legal guardian. They also need a form signed by the Superintendent of their high school, which states that they are no longer enrolled in school.
There are four WNMU GED testing sites at the Mimbres Valley Learning Center in Deming, Gardner Learning Center in T or C, Lordsburg Learning Center in Lordsburg, and the Academic Support Center at the WNMU Silver City campus. The test days for Deming, Lordsburg, and T or C are Tuesdays and Wednesday. There are no tests distributed in the months of August and December.
There is a maximum capacity of 15 candidates at the Silver City and Deming locations and a maximum capacity of 10 candidates at the Lordsburg and T or C locations.
Candidates are welcome to receive free tutoring at Watts Hall at the Adult Basic Education Center. The tutoring consists of studying, practice tests, and pre-tests. After the candidate passes the GED test, an official transcript is signed by BJ Smith and a diploma is issued by the State GED Chief Administrator.
For more information on the GED testing, contact the Academic Support Center at 538-6400.
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