Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon Portland Community College

GED® test preparation

Adult Education | Cascade, OMIC, Rock Creek, Southeast, & Sylvania

Homepage

Prepare for the GED® test with Adult Education classes.

Program description and eligibility

  • Adult Education is a non-credit program.
  • Fees for classes range from $37 to $158 per term.
  • Classes focus on improving basic skills:
    • reading
    • writing
    • math
  • These classes help you prepare for the GED® test.
  • You may need to buy books.
  • Classes are open to anyone 16 or older.
  • If you are 16 or 17, you have to get an official release from your high school. Submit it to the college’s admission office before registering for classes.
  • If you are between the ages of 16 and 20, you may qualify for the Yes to College program.

Steps to enroll

1. Apply to PCC

Complete the admissions form:

Apply now angle right

  • You’ll have to set up an admissions account with your personal email and a password.
  • Choose the term you want to start at PCC under When do you want to start classes?
  • Choose “Adult Ed (Adult Education)/GED®” under What subject are you primarily interested in studying?
2. Complete CASAS testing

As part of preparing for your classes, please complete CASAS testing. This is a program requirement for GED-seeking students. It helps us assess your reading and math abilities for program placement and evaluate your progress through the program. Testing can be done in person on campus or remotely. Please be aware that remote testing can be booked out 2–4 weeks.

Please take both Reading and Math assessments. Each test takes about 60-90 minutes.

To sign up for the test, you’ll need the following information:

  • Student name: Your name
  • Student ID: Your PCC ID number (starts with a G)
  • Email: Either your personal or your PCC email. You will receive test confirmation and instructions at the email you provide.
  • College name: Portland Community College
Virtual testing

You can use your laptop, desktop, iPad, tablet, or Samsung phone. Chromebooks and iPhones will not work to take the assessments. Sign up to take both the Math and the Reading test, and plan for 1.5 hours for each test.

Sign up here: CASAS testing appointments »
Choose CASAS Goals Reading and CASAS Goals Math

If there is an issue with scheduling your CASAS test, please reach out to your navigator for the campus closest to you (see below).

Please sign-up and attend your orientation session, even if you have not tested. We understand appointments can be booked out a few weeks in advance.

In-person testing

You can also book an appointment and get a calendar invite, or drop-in at the times below:

3. Attend a GED® Student Orientation and Registration session

Plan to stay for 2 hours if attending orientation remotely (virtually) over zoom. Plan to stay for 3 hours if attending in-person. At the session, you will:

  • You can choose to attend orientation in-person or remotely over zoom.
  • Meet the Adult Ed Navigator who will help you get started and register for your first classes.
  • Learn more about GED® tests.
  • Get tips on how to manage yourself and your technology while learning remotely.
  • Have a chance to ask questions about classes and GED® testing.
  • Plan on attending the full 2-hour remote Orientation session.
  • Plan on attending for the full 3-hour In-person Orientation session.
In-person orientation

Orientations for summer term have concluded. Please reach out to the navigator at the campus closest to you or email ged-group@pcc.edu.

Fall term orientation sign-ups will be available in early July.

Remote orientation

Orientations for summer term have concluded. Please reach out to the navigator at the campus closest to you or email ged-group@pcc.edu.

Fall term orientation sign-ups will be available in early July.

4. Consider your options for study
  • Classes will be held in person. There will be limited remote sections available. Your Adult Ed Navigator can help you decide what is right for you.
  • Want to study online? Learn more about online GED® classes. (You can talk about the difference between online and remote classes with your Adult Ed Navigator.)
  • Want to take the GED® test in Spanish? We offer Spanish GED® classes through Southeast Campus and Willow Creek Center. The steps to enroll are different than the steps listed here, so make sure to review the Spanish GED® page.
5. Paying for your classes

Be ready to pay for your classes at the time of registration. Class fees range from $37 to $158 per term depending on your class schedule.

If you receive Food Stamps, the Oregon Health Plan, or have lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may qualify for a Class Fee Waiver. We’ll discuss Class Fee Waivers at the Orientation session.

Get virtual assistance

You can connect with virtual assistance by email, phone, or Zoom.

You can also contact the Adult Ed Navigator at the campus of your choice:

Learn more about the GED® Certificate

A GED® Certificate may be earned by those who have not completed high school and who are at least 16 years old. The GED® Certificate is accepted as a substitute for a high school diploma by many employers, apprenticeship programs, community colleges, and universities. It is used all over the United States and Canada, although passing scores may vary from state to state.

Related pages

 

GED® is a registered trademark of the American Council on Education and may not be used without permission. The GED® and GED Testing Service® brands are administered by GED Testing Service LLC under license.

PCC provides an Annual Security Report meeting Clery Act requirements. The report shares safety programs, policies, and crime data for the past three years. It also includes steps you can take to maintain a safe campus for everyone.