Aspire Classes

Why would I take an Aspire class?

• Do you need to study for the GED® test? Take Aspire classes! Need to study for a college entrance exam? Take Aspire classes! Need to improve your skills for a job promotion? Take Aspire classes!

I need help preparing for my GED® test. How do I get started?

• We’re so glad you are ready to prepare for your test, and we want to help you. First, you will need to register for an orientation. Call (330) 847-0503, ext. 1611 to get started.

Where will I take my Aspire classes?

• There are Aspire class locations throughout the county. Currently, our locations are The Trumbull Career & Technical Center, OhioMeansJobs, Niles City Schools, Refuge Ministries, and Flying High.

What time will I attend my Aspire class?

• Morning, afternoon, and evening classes are available. You should be able to find a time and location that meets your needs.

How much does it cost to attend my GED® class?

• Great news – classes are FREE!

How long will it take me to complete these Aspire classes?

• Our classes are available to you for as long as you need. Different people take different amounts of time to progress through the program, and that’s OK. The goal of your Aspire teacher is to send you to a test in a subject area when they know you have reached the skill level needed to successfully pass that test. Some people take a little time, some take a little more time. And you will take the amount of time that you need to be successful. Just remember: Regular attendance is extremely important to your learning process and will get you to your goal more quickly than spotty attendance.

Orientation

Why do I need an orientation?

• Orientation is the first step in your educational journey, and it’s an important one. You will learn about the Aspire Program and how our classes work. You will complete some basic forms. You will take an assessment that lets you and your teachers know what your skill level is right now, so they can help you set goals and start your individual learning plan. You also get to choose what Aspire location works best for you. Orientation will help you make the determination if Aspire classes are a good fit for you.

How do I schedule an in-person orientation?

• Just call the office to hear which dates are available and schedule one that works for you.

What do I bring to my orientation?

• We ask that you bring some scrap paper and a pencil.

Can I bring my child with me to orientation?

• You really need to focus during the orientation and so will the other students attending with you that day. You will need to find childcare for the day that you attend orientation and not bring your child with you.

What if I’m running late for orientation?

• We start orientation promptly at the scheduled time as there is a lot to do, so you should really, really try to make it on time. But because things happen sometimes, we understand you may be a little late. If you will be more than 5-10 minutes late, you will need to contact the office and reschedule. Because orientation lasts for approximately 5 hours, we ask that you block off that amount of time. If you cannot stay for five hours, you will need to reschedule.

I have already taken an orientation with you before. Do I have to do it again?

• If you have not been in class within the last 3 months, then yes, you need to schedule and attend an orientation again. If you aren’t sure how long it has been since you’ve attended class, call the office, and we will guide you to your next step.

Online Learning

I am interested in taking Aspire classes online from my home. How do I start?

• You should click on the “Online Learning” button on the Aspire home page to get step-by-step instructions.

I started taking online classes and think I may do better at reaching my goal if I attend in-person classes instead. Am I able to switch to in-person classes?

• You absolutely can switch from online classes to in-person classes! Just call the office to find out your next steps.

GED® Test

What subjects are on the GED® test?

• There are 4 subjects: Math, Science, Social Studies, and Reasoning Through Language Arts.

Do I have to take all of the subjects at once, or can I take one subject at a time?

• You have control of how you test. You may take the test in its entirety in one day, or you can take one or two subjects at a time. We encourage you to take it one subject at a time.

How do I schedule and pay for my GED® test? Do I just show up with my money and take the test?

• You must visit www.GED.com and create an account. Read carefully as you complete the registration. When you feel that you are ready to schedule a test, you will schedule from your www.GED.com account. You will also pay for your test online through your www.GED.com account. You should not bring payment with you to the testing center nor call the center to schedule.

How old do I have to be to take the GED® test?

• You must be at least 16 years old to take the test. Testers who are 16-18 years old MUST be officially withdrawn from high school and provide the proper paperwork to the state HSE Office (prior to scheduling for a test).

What is the paperwork necessary for 16-18-year-olds to take the test?

• If you are 16 or 17, you must provide a copy of the official withdrawal form from the last school you attended, and it must be signed by a school official. The school you last attended will need to provide this form. You must also provide a consent form completed by a parent or legal guardian, and it needs to be notarized. Parental Consent Form

• If you are 18 years old, you will just need to provide the official withdrawal form from the last school you attended, and it must be signed by a school official. The school you last attended will need to provide this form.

Can I take a practice test before I take the official GED® test?

• You sure can! GEDReady®, the official GED® practice test, is available at www.GED.com. The cost is $6 per subject.

I have a diagnosed disability and would like to apply for accommodations for testing.

• Test accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis and include things such as extra testing time or extra breaks. You can find the information you need to apply at www.GED.com.

Can I take the GED® test in a language other than English?

• The GED® test is currently available in both English and Spanish.

How much does the GED® test cost?

• The test is $120.00. There is a voucher worth up to $80 for Ohio residents who are first-time testers. If you qualify for the voucher, your test cost would be $40.

Voucher for the GED® Test

How do I know if I qualify for a voucher number?

• You must be a first-time tester. While you are registering online at www.GED.com, be sure to read every page carefully and follow the directions given. If you qualify for the voucher, you will receive a “Message from Ohio” in your notifications on your www.GED.com account with complete instructions on your next steps.

What is a first-time tester?

If you have not taken any sections of the official GED® test in 2014 up to the present day, then you are a first-time tester. If you have taken any portions of the official GED® test in 2014 up to the present day, then you are not a first-time tester.

Do I use my voucher number for a re-take test?

• No. You are already given a discounted price for a re-take test. The voucher should be used only for the initial test.

Do I have to attend classes to get a voucher number?

• You do not. Although we highly recommend taking classes to prepare yourself for the test, the voucher is available to all first-time testers, not just first-time testers that attend classes.

Does the voucher number reimburse me if I have already paid for the test?

• No. It is important that you wait until you receive your voucher number to schedule and pay for your test.

How long does it take to get a voucher number?

• Once you have followed the instructions given on your www.GED.com account, the processing time of a voucher number at TCTC is about 1-3 days.

Other Questions

I haven’t been in school for a long time and am afraid to start. Should I even try this?

• First of all, we’re so proud of you for thinking about furthering your education, and we’re glad you are considering a TCTC Aspire class to help you to reach your goal. We completely understand how you feel about doing something you haven’t done for a while – you feel a bit “rusty”, and it can be intimidating. You’ve already taken the first big step by researching, gathering information, and asking questions! Keep in mind that you are not alone in how you are feeling. Other students in our classes felt the exact same way you do! Give it a chance – you may just surprise yourself!

I took my GED® test and passed. Now I need a copy of my transcript. Where can I get that?

• You may order your GED® transcript at www.DiplomaSender.com

Do I have to take classes, or can I just take the GED® test?

• Although we feel strongly that attending classes to prepare for the GED® test could only benefit you, it is not mandatory that you attend class. Just visit www.GED.com to register for the test.

I don’t see my question on this page, now what do I do?

• Call the office (330) 847-0503, ext. 1611. We are happy to answer your question! And if we are unable to answer the phone, you really should leave a message so we can call you back as soon as possible.