GED classes are one part of Adult Basic Education programs. The purpose of Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs are to provide instruction in the basic skills of reading, writing, and mathematics in order to prepare adults for the job market or higher education. Most potential students don't know that the GED class is the highest level in a series of basic education courses. They assume that when they make up their minds that it's time to get a GED, it's a given that placement will be in a GED class straightaway. Sadly, many are shocked to find out they aren't even close . How do the administrators find out who's reay and who's not? Before anyone is placed in a classroom they are given a test called the TABE (Tests of Adult Basic Education). TABE test scores are the beginning and end of ABE programs. These scores not only determine student placement, but can influence teacher hiring, class closings and openings, program opening and closure, funding, you name it.  What does this thing called the TABE do? It seems to be, at the time of this writing, the best instrument educators have come up with to test the reading and math skills of diverse populations of adult learners. It is used to catagorize students based on how well they can read and use critical thinking skills at the time of the test. While you may or may not be given the TABE math test immediately after the reading test, it doesn't matter. It's the reading test scores that reigns supreme. This is the score used to place you in  you into one of 6 levels of courses, GED being the highest. The moral of this story is this: you might believe in your heart that you are ready for a GED class. Your scores might tell a different tale. In the next few entrys I'll explain those levels to you. Check out my website http://getyourged.googlepages.com/home. See you later, Lynne.