Both the TASC (Test Assessing Secondary Completion) and GED (General Education Development) Test are designed to measure whether you have achieved a level of academic accomplishment equivalent to having graduated from high school.

If you pass one of them successfully, you will be awarded a state-issued certificate which might give you a ticket of a well-paying job, job advancement, and also a college education for you. However, there are some noticeable differences between the GED and TASC exams in their format and testing fee. Let’s take a closer look at TASC vs GED right now!

 

1.What is the difference between GED vs TASC?

 

tasc vs ged
There are a number of differences between TASC and GED

As far as the GED goes, it comprises 4 separate modules or subtests that must be taken entirely in a computer-based format. More specifically, GED testing covers the academic high school subject areas of Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science.

 

As far as the TASC exam is concerned, it is offered both in a computer-based format and in a paper-based form (apart from West Virginia and New Jersey where only computer-based testing was offered) and consists of 5 distinctive tests including English Reading, English Writing, Science, Social Studies, and Mathematics. 

 

We will systematize the differences between TASC vs GED in terms of testing structure, scoring and fee to help you grasp both of them before deciding which one is suitable for you: 

 

 

TASC

(5 Subtests/Battery)

Both computer-delivered and paper-based testing (except for

 West Virginia and New Jersey)

GED

(4 Modules/Battery)

Computer-delivered testing only (except for accommodations)

Language Arts – Writing (105 mins)

  • Section 1: 50 multiple Choice Questions (55 mins) 

Require: 

  • Constructing sentences
  • Using grammar correctly
  • Using words correctly
  • Organizing ideas into paragraphs
  • Connecting ideas
  • Section 2: Reading passage and Writing a relevant essay (50 mins) 

Require: 

  • Arguing for one side of a debate and against the other side. 
  • Explaining  something from the passage(s)

Reasoning Language Arts (150 mins)

  • 51 Questions
  • Section 1 — (27 mins)
  • Section 2 — Extended Response (45 mins)
  • Student Break (10 mins)
  • Section 3 — (60 mins)

Require:

  • Answering questions based on passage(s)
  • Reviewing written text and select words and phrases to write the final product correctly
  • Composing an extended response to a writing prompt 

Note: The time allotted for Sections 1 & 3 may vary gently, but the total test time will always be 150 mins.

  • Possible Item Types:
  • Multiple choice
  • Drop-down
  • Drag-and-drop
  • Fill in the blank
  • Extended-response

Language Arts- Reading (75 mins)

  • 50 Questions
  • Possible Item Types:
  • Multiple-choice 
  • Multiple-answer formats

Require: 

  • Identifying an author’s main point
  • Describing the passage’s structure
  • Analyzing an author’s argument
  • Restating or applying ideas from the passage
  • Understanding words in the context 

Mathematics (105 mins) – 52 Questions

  • Section 1: With the aid of calculator (50 mins)
  • Student Break (10 mins)
  • Section 2: No the aid of calculator (55 mins)

Require: 

  • Quantitative Reasoning
  • Algebraic Reasoning

Calculator: TI-30XS scientific calculator

Mathematical Reasoning (115 mins)

  • 46 Questions
  • Part 1: first 5 questions – calculator not accepted. 
  • Part 2: remaining 41 questions – calculator allowed
  • Possible Item Types:
  • Multiple choice
  • Drag-and-drop
  • Hot spot
  • Fill in the blank

Require:

  • Quantitative Reasoning
  • Algebraic Reasoning

Calculator: TI-30XS scientific calculator

Science (85 mins)

  • 47 multiple-choice questions
  • Possible Item Types:
  • Multiple-respond
  • Drag-and-drop
  • Constructed-respond

Require:

  • Comprehending scientific presentations
  • Using the scientific method 
  • Reasoning with scientific information
  • Applying concepts and formulas 
  • Using statistics and probability

Calculator: TI-30XS scientific calculator

Science (90 mins)

  • 34 Questions
  • Possible Item Types:
  • Multiple choice
  • Short answer
  • Drag-and-drop
  • Hot spot
  • Fill in the blank

Require:

  • Interpreting passages and graphics by understanding Scientific Presentations
  • Designing investigations, reasoning from data, and working with findings by using Scientific Method
  • Evaluating conclusions with evidence via reasoning with Scientific Information. 
  • Express scientific information and apply scientific theories by using Concepts and Formulas. 
  • Applying Probabilities and Statistics to a specific science context.

Calculator: TI-30XS scientific calculator

Social Studies (75 mins)

  • 47 Multiple Choice Questions
  • Possible Item Types:
  • Multiple -choice
  • Drag-and-drop
  • Multiple-answer
  • Constructed-response

Require:

  • Determining central ideas and making inferences
  • Analyzing Words, Events, and Ideas in social studies contexts
  • Analyzing authors’ purposes and points of view
  • Evaluating authors’ reasoning and evidence
  • Analyzing relationships between social studies materials
  • Interpreting data and statistics in both  charts and graphs.

Social Studies (70 mins)

  • 35 questions
  • Possible Item Types:
  • Multiple choice
  • Drag-and-drop
  • Hot spot
  • Fill in the blank

Require

  • Determining Central Ideas, Inferences, Hypotheses, and Conclusions.
  • Analyzing Words, Events, and Ideas in Social Studies Contexts.
  • Analyzing Author’s Purpose and Point of View.
  • Evaluating Author’s Reasoning and Evidence.
  • Analyzing and Integrate Relationships Within and Between Social Studies Materials.
  • Interpreting Data and Statistics in Graphs and Charts.
  • Finding the Center in a Statistical Data Set, Including Average, Median, and Mode.

Calculator: TI-30XS scientific calculator

TASC Score:

  • Scaled-score range per subtest: 300 – 800
  • To pass: no subtest score lower than 500 and a battery total of 2500 or above.

Note: The Writing Essay, which was scored on a scale from 1 to 8, had to yield at least a 2-score.

GED Score:

  • Scaled-score range per module: 100–200
  • To pass: a score of 145 or above per each module. 
  • To GED College Ready: score between 165-175 each section.
  • To Ged College Ready + Credit: score above 175 per subtest. 

Fee Structure:

  • $94/ battery ($18.80/ test section) 
  • New York, West Virginia: Free of charge
  • 2 free retakes/ subtest

Fee Structure:

  • $125/battery ($31.25/module)
  • $31.25/retest (after one year from initial)

>>> See Also: HiSet vs. GED – Which is the better option ?

 

2. Which test should you take, GED Or TASC?

 

ged vs tasc
Study hard and try your best to conquer the GED and TASC exams.

There is no way to answer whether you should take the GED or TASC because it depends on the individual’s ability. In other words, all persons are different, and what one individual may consider difficult may be less challenging to another and vice versa. Furthermore, it could be based on your state requirements. Actually, some states may require you to take the GED, some ask you to get TASC and others may allow you to choose one of them. For example,  as of December 2014, New York, Indiana, and West Virginia have chosen to use the TASC instead of the GED exam. 

>>> See More: GED Reasoning Language Arts Study Guide

 

Thus, as long as you get enough preparation, you can absolutely ace the GED or TASC  successfully. Take the GED Practice Test to arm yourself with proper knowledge and improve your final testing score. In conclusion, in this article, we provide you with a comprehensive comparison between the TASC vs GED.  After reading the blog thoroughly, we hope you guys will make a rational decision on which is a superior exam for you, TASC or GED.