For almost all practical purposes, a General Education Development (GED) certification is equivalent to a high school diploma. The only possible drawback would be to put this undertaking off and to spend longer than necessary without it.

Difficulty

There are several versions of high school equivalency tests: the GED (which is a brand), the Hi-SET, and the TASC. They all cover the same areas: language arts, math, science, and social studies. Which one you take will largely depend upon the state you live in which you reside. You can take these tests online at a testing center. 

The Hi-SET offers the alternative of a paper and pencil exam, which some people find appealing. As with any test, preparation is the key to passing or failing. Most community colleges have preparation programs through their adult education departments. Generally, a potential student is pre-tested to determine their strengths and weaknesses in each testing area. From there, they will provide you with the scores you need so you can best prepare. 

University Choices

It’s estimated that 97% of colleges accept the GED. As already mentioned, it is generally considered equivalent to a high school diploma. However, very few colleges will enroll students for a degree program without one or the other. The key to college acceptance is to have your GED or high school diploma in hand along with a good SAT or ACT score. Not having a high school diploma or GED can become an obstacle to any post-secondary educational goal. Today, most jobs in a globally competitive workforce require some form of post-secondary education.

After Passing the Equivalency Exam

Once you have passed all sections of the GED, many states will require you to apply for a high school diploma. Most GED prep programs can help students with the process. Many community colleges even offer graduation ceremonies for students who have earned their GED. If you are hesitant to pursue a GED because of the myth that it is not the same as a diploma, it might benefit you to visit a local GED prep center. The only genuine downside to the GED is the wealth of opportunities you could lose out on by not earning one.

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