GED & High School Diploma Resources

The Gateway to College program is an accelerated (all year) program that works with students to get back on track and complete the goal of graduating high school. They work with 16-21-year-old students who have an “overage” of credits and/or are “under-credited.” Students take courses at CCP to satisfy their remaining credits while earning college credits that can be used to catch up with their peers for either an associate degree from CCP or be transferred to many colleges. Their staff consists of former educators, social workers, counselors, support staff, and directors of previous programs that have an unwavering commitment to getting these students to their goal of graduation.

The Community College of Philadelphia offers high school equivalency preparation classes to help you prepare for the HiSET and/or GED exams. The course costs $80 (including books) with classes offered both on-campus and online. Students must be 18 or older to enroll. Head here to learn more.

Beyond Literacy provides no-cost classes (including GED prep) and life-changing career readiness training to empower and elevate adults in Philadelphia to accomplish their educational, work, and family goals.

YouthBuild Philly Charter School provides a one-year program for Philadelphia residents ages 18-20 who do not yet have a high school diploma or GED. In addition to earning your high school diploma, you will receive support in advancing your career pathway by applying to college, applying for jobs, or both and earn a professional trade certification in either Construction, Health and Human Services, or Business.

Critical Path Learning Center offers a full suite of classes, workshops, and public programs for adults, including GED/HiSET (HSE) preparation. Their small, participant-focused classes are designed to meet adult learners where they are at, and to provide them with tech skills that support their goals.

Temple University’s WELL program assists adult learners in their transition to college by providing pre-GED and GED training, as well as workshops and coaching arounds topics like completing college admissions applications and financial aid forms.

Camden County’s Workforce Learning Link program is designed to provide workplace literacy skills to individuals needing to update, refresh, or learn skills that will help find, secure, and advance a person in their job. Programs include GED test preparation.

Additional GED and HiSET prep locations and testing sites in the Philadelphia area.

Use Study.com’s How To Get a GED in Pennsylvania as an introduction to the GED process.

The GED exam is made up of 4 subjects, broken into separate exams: Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science. You don’t have to take all 4 exams at once — you can space them out and go at your own pace. Learn more about the exam content and format here.

Get a sense of what to expect by trying a free sample test in each of the GED subjects, but remember that it’s okay if this content feels unfamiliar or even overwhelming at first. Take advantage of the free and local GED prep programs listed above to help you get test-ready!

Learn here about the similarities and differences between the HiSET and the GED. Many of the prep programs listed above offer training in both the HiSET and GED.