SALISBURY — Recently, GED Testing Service announced revisions to the “cut” or passing scores, as well as performance levels for its high school equivalency test, and is making those revisions retroactive to Jan. 1, 2014, when the 2014 GED Test series was first released.

North Carolina will join 32 states in recognizing these changes immediately, possibly resulting in as many as 700 new high school equivalency diploma holders in the state. Other states may require additional approval or rule changes to implement the new recommended revisions.

“We are so pleased that these performance revisions to the GED test and program will open new doors for folks in our local communities,” said Dr. Carol S. Spalding, president of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. “We hope everyone affected by these changes will be inspired to continue their educational goals at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.”

GED Testing Service is contacting those affected by the changes via email; however, test takers with questions can log into their MyGED.com account or go to www.gedtestingservice.com/testers/tester-score-change-faqs for information.

The “cut” or passing score is being revised from 150 per test module to 145. Additionally, GED is recalibrating its performance levels to the following scale.

Performance Level 1: Below Passing (100-144)

Performance Level 2: Pass/High School Equivalency (145-164)

Performance Level 3: GED College Ready (165-174)

Performance Level 4: GED College Ready + Credit (175-200)

Those who test at Performance Level 4 may be eligible for up to 10 semester hours of college credit as recommended by the American Council on Education College Credit Recommendation Service. The eligibility of the college credit is at the discretion of the local institution. For more information, visit www.acenet.edu.

“We are working with our GED state representative to ensure students and programs get the necessary information to implement this new change,” said Dr. Lisa Chapman, senior vice president for programs in the N.C. Community College System.

North Carolina’s 58 community colleges have the option of offering three high school equivalency tests: GED, HiSET, and TASC.

“The GED test opens the door to college and better jobs. It gives the graduate the respect they deserve, and the satisfaction of earning a high school credential with the hope that they will continue with their education,” said Gary Connor, director of the college’s Pre-College Studies Department. “I encourage anyone thinking about the GED or other high school equivalency options to learn more and take those next steps for a better future.”

For more information on high school equivalency testing opportunities, visit www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/college-and-career-readiness/high-school-equivalency or www.rccc.edu/testing/high-school-equivalency/.

Additional information on the GED Testing Service changes is available at www.gedtestingservice.com/educators/score-changes.

For more information about Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, visit www.rccc.edu or call 704-216-7222.