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Adult Literacy

Facts

GED Test-Taker Facts

In 2009:

• 69.4% of those who have taken all five GED tests (or 448,519 individuals) passed it.

• Of those who passed it, 448,131 earned a combined minimum score of 2250 and a minimum of 410 on each content area test.

• The average U.S. test-taker was almost 26 years old.

• 72.9% of U.S. test-takers were over the age of 18; just 27.1% of test-takers were 16 to 18 years old

• 57% of GED candidates were male, and 43% were female.

Fact Sheets

Percentage of U.S. Adults in Key Demographic Groups Without a High School Credential
From the 2009 GED Testing Program Statistical Report, this figure compares the percentage of U.S. adults in various demographic groups without a high school diploma. This information may be useful when advocating for specific race or ethnicity groups.

Adult Literacy Fact Sheet 2009

Ages of Adult Education Participants
NRS Fast Facts presents a national and state picture of who participates in federally-funded adult education. The age groups are 16 18, 19-24, 25-44, 45-59, and 60 and older.

Basic Facts About Adult Literacy
ProLiteracy offers quick facts on adult literacy from a national and international perspective.

Characteristics of English Literacy Participants in Adult Education: 2000-2005
NRS Fast Facts presents a national and state picture of English literacy participants from 2001–2005.

Characteristics of the Least-Literate Participants in Adult Basic Education Beginning Literacy Programs: 2001-2005
NRS Fast Facts presents a national and state picture of the least-literate participants in beginning literacy programs from 2001–2005. These participants have the lowest literacy skills. Thus, they often have the most trouble meeting goals, like finding and keeping a job or earning a diploma or GED credential.

Interactive Tool: Indirect County and State Estimates of the Percentage of Adults at the Lowest Literacy Level in 1992 and 2003