ABE/GED Pre & Official Testing Program
Sitting Bull College

Fort Yates Hours of Operation
Monday –Friday
8am – 4pm

 

FAQ’s PRE-TESTING

Q. Who do I contact to begin the GED Process?
A. Sitting Bull College requires that students prepare for the GED Exam first by PRETESTING.
Pretesting can be done at the 7th Generation Academic Excellence Center located in the Old Sitting Bull College Fort Yates campus or at the Sitting Bull College Mclaughlin site. A student must obtain a minimum score on the pre-tests in order to be recommended for official testing.

Q. What is the difference between Pre-testing and Official Testing?
A. Pre-testing is available for anyone that needs or wants preparation for the Official GED Tests. The pre-tests gauge the level a student is at academically in relation to the level needed to pass an official GED exam.

Official GED tests are the actual exams sanctioned by the state given by certified official testers and are separate from pre-testing. However official testers at SBC will only test those students that receive recommendation from the pre-testing Center.

Q. Does a student have to go through the Pre-testing process in order to take the Official tests?
A. Yes, but only at the Sitting Bull College Site. In order to be able to take the official exams with NO COST at SBC, a student must be referred from the SBC pre-testing center. A student is welcome to take the official exam anywhere else and not have to go through the pre-testing process; however there is usually a test cost at other North Dakota testing centers.

A student must complete a pre-testing program before they can be recommended to take the Official GED tests at the Sitting Bull College Official Testing Site.

Q. How old do I need to be in order to begin the GED tests?
A. Minimum Age for Testing in North Dakota: 18. However, applicants who are 16, 17, or
18 whose class has not graduated may request permission to test from the N.D. G.E.D.
Administrator. (All paperwork must be in the file – please visit with the Sitting Bull College Adult Basic Education (ABE) Instructor to complete paperwork.)

Q. How many tests are there in the GED?
A. All candidates who wish to earn a North Dakota G.E.D. High School Diploma must take the
tests of General Educational Development (G.E.D. tests) of the American Council on Education. The required G.E.D. tests are:
Language Arts - Writing
Social Studies
Science
Language Arts - Reading
Mathematics

FAQ’s OFFICIAL TESTING

Q. How often are official tests given?
A. Sitting Bull College Official Examiners, Renee Froelich & Melody Azure, typically test once a
week during the regular academic year, and once a month during the summers. However, testing is NOT scheduled during college registration, finals, or spring break.
Please be aware that the examiners MUST start exams on time. Students who arrive late for a testing session will not be admitted to the testing room.

Q. What do I need to bring with me to the testing room?
A. A valid photo ID is all that is required for EACH testing session. Students who forget their
photo ID will not be admitted into the GED Testing Session. This is a requirement of the federal and state government.

Q. How many times can I take the official exam?
A. Students testing at the Sitting Bull College site are allowed to test EACH SECTION up to
THREE TIMES a year. However, re-testing of sections is discouraged. Sitting Bull College wants each student to be fully prepared for the official exam the FIRST time. Students who are do not take the pretesting packet nor pre-register for an exam will not be allowed to test at Sitting Bull College GED Testing site.

Q. How long does it take to get my scores after I take a section?
A. It takes approximately two weeks for your test section to be scored and sent back to Sitting Bull
College (SBC). SBC can only issue unofficial printouts of your scores; all official transcripts
must be released from the North Dakota State Adult Education Office in Bismarck.

Q. How long does it take to get my diploma after I take my complete battery (all 5 sections)?
A. It takes approximately ten to fourteen days to score and issue a diploma and a transcript of your
scores. This is issued by the State of North Dakota.

Q. Is there a cost for getting my GED diploma?
A. The original diploma and a transcript will be issued at no cost to you. However, if you wish to
request a duplicate diploma with a transcript the cost is $10. If you wish to request just a transcript, the cost is $2.00. To order a duplicate diploma or a transcript you must do the following:
1) request a duplicate copy of your record in writing or stop in the State Adult
Education Office at the State Capitol Building in Bismarck and sign a release form.
2) present an official picture ID if you show up in person.
3) send or bring appropriate fee (transcript $2.00 or diploma/transcript $10.00). We do
not accept credit cards, the payment should be made by money order or cashiers check.
The form is available to you at the ABE office or online at www.dpi.state.nd.us/adulted/

Q. Who do I contact if I have more questions?
A. For Fort Yates inquiries please contact the GED/ABE Program Director (located in the Excellence Center) at (701) 854-8043.

For Mclaughlin inquiries please contact Carol Brownotter at (605) 823-4318.

GED Students, please remember:

The GED Official Exam is a high school equivalency program that takes time and
hard work to complete.

We are mandated by the federal government to follow strict guidelines when testing.

Please understand that these strict guidelines help Sitting Bull College ensure that completion of a valid GED is something important in your life!

SBC – Sitting Bull College
ABE – Adult Basic Education
GED – General Educational Development