GED Classes Richmond, California

Last Updated on April 10, 2024.

This page includes a full listing of GED prep facilities and testing centers in the Richmond area. California offers people looking to earn the high school equivalency degree two options, the GED and HiSET tests.

Both options can be taken online or at an official testing site. To learn more about online GED and HiSET testing, check below.

The GED® exam is fully computerized. There are four GED subtests measuring a candidate’s proficiency in

• Math
• Language
• Social Studies
• Science

The HiSET® exam can be taken both on paper and on a computer and comes with individual reading and writing subtests, so five overall.

The exams offer people who never graduated high school another option to secure an equivalent degree.

Testing happens at a level that is similar to what HS seniors must know upon graduation.

The four GED subtests and five HiSET subtests can be taken one (or more) at a time and in any order.

Visit “GED Testing In California” to learn all about the HiSET and GED testing fees and qualification requirements in California.

Richmond GED Prep Class Locations

Richmond Library (Literacy for Every Adult Program – LEAP)
325 Civic Center Place, Richmond, California 94804, Phone: (510) 307-8084

West Contra Costa Adult Education (Alvarado Adult School)
5625 Sutter Street, Richmond, California 94804, Phone: (510) 231-1453

The Multicultural Institute
3600 MacDonald Avenue, Richmond, California 94805, Phone: (510) 848-4075 (ext. 1)

Chavez Elementary School (West Contra Costa Adult Education)
960 17th Street, Richmond, California 94801, Phone: (510) 231-1453
GED prep classes in English and Spanish

West County Detention Facility
5555 Giant Highway, Richmond, California 94806, Phone: (510) 262-4340
Not open to the public

Prep Sites around Richmond (Cities by Alphabet)

Berkeley Adult Basic Education
1701 S. Pablo Avenue, Berkeley, California 94702, Phone: (510) 644.6130

Inter-City Job Services GED Instruction
3269 Adeline Street, Berkeley, California 94703, Phone: (510) 655.3552

Multicultural Institute GED Classes
1920 7th Street, Berkeley, California 94710, Phone: (510) 818.4075

El Cerrito Sylvan Learning Center
10810 S. Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, California 94530, Phone: (510) 292.4055

Oakland Adult Education
2607 Myrtle Street, Oakland, California 94607, Phone: (510) 879-3036/1400
See more Oakland Area GED prep sites <- on this page

New Horizons Career Center
199 Parker Avenue, Rodeo, California 94572, Phone: (510) 799-2916
New Horizons Career Center provides residents of Crockett, Bayo Vista, Hercules, Rodeo, Tormey, and Port Costa communities with Internet access, GED classes, basic computer lessons, resume writing, interviewing techniques, and so on, to get them “job-ready.”

Career Point Marin Employment Services (Referral)
120 North Redwood Drive, San Rafael, California 94903, Phone: (415) 966.0860

Conservation Corps North Bay-San Rafael
27 Larkspur Street, San Rafael, California 94901, Phone: (415) 454.4554

Is the GED Test Offered Online?

Yes, you can now take the HiSET and GED online as well. Until recently, online HiSET or GED testing was not an option. Test takers needed to show up at one of California’s official test centers and take the tests in person. Fortunately, that has now changed.

The GED and HiSET are now also offered in a proctored online format. You can read more about these developments here: ‘The online HiSET test,’ and for the online GED exam, check out ‘The online proctored GED exam.’

Beware of Internet sites that claim they can offer the GED diploma online. This is a fraud, and their ‘diplomas’ are not worth the paper they are printed on, so be warned.

On taking the exam, you must bring a valid photo ID such as a DMV driver’s license or DMV ID card, Tribal ID card, Military ID card, or passport, or show that to the proctor if you take the exam online.

Richmond Area GED Testing Sites

West Contra Costa Adult Education GED Testing
5625 Sutter Avenue, Richmond, California 94804, Phone: (510) 231-1453

From here, cities by alphabet

Berkeley Adult School-HiSET & GED
1701 S. Pablo Avenue, Berkeley, California 94702, Phone: (510) 644-6130

Mount Diablo Adult Education (GED, HiSET)
1266 S. Carlos Avenue, Concord, California 94518, Phone: (925) 685-7340

Tamalpais Adult School-GED
375 Doherty Drive, Larkspur, California 94939, Phone: (415) 945-1031

Oakland Adult Education (McClymonds Education Complex, Rm 122, HiSET, GED)
2607 Myrtle Street, Oakland, California 94607, Phone: (510) 879-1400

Contra Costa County Office of Education (GED, HiSET)
77 Santa Barbara Road, Pleasant Hill, California 94523, Phone: (925) 942-5321

City College of SF-Mission (HiSET)
1125 Valencia Street (Room 115),  San Francisco, California 94110, Phone: (415) 561-1824

Mission Neighborhood El Centro (GED Testing)
1245 Alabama Street, San Francisco, California 94110, Phone: (415) 643-5600

One Test at a Time

The certification that you are given when you have finished the California GED or HiSET exam is acknowledged as equivalent to a regular high school diploma by state and federal institutions, recruiters, and academic institutions all over the United States.

There is no need to take all four GED tests in one session. You have the option to take one of the four tests when you feel sufficiently prepared, and the five HiSET tests are offered independently as well.

Practically all employers, colleges, and universities accept GED graduates in the same way they accept high school graduates. Applicants 17 years of age may also qualify if they meet strict requirements.

Passing Scores

GED results are calibrated on a 100-200 scale. To pass the GED exam, you need a minimum score of 145 on each one of the four tests. That’s the GED passing score. So, your overall score can never be under 580. There are four GED scoring ranges:

• 100-144: below passing
• 145-164: high school equivalency
• 165-174: college-ready
• 175-200: college-ready PLUS college credit

HiSET scores are calibrated on a score that runs from 0 to 20. On each module, you must reach at least a score of 8 to pass that subject. Additionally, your overall score must be at least 45, and your essay score at least 2 out of 6.

The GED and HiSET modules are independent sub-exams. You can write them individually and in any order you desire.

Over the years, more than 20 million adults have passed the GED exam or one of the alternatives, and the GED diploma is accepted by nearly all US colleges, universities, and employers. Recent studies show that people with a GED Diploma will make 43 percent more income than those without.

Every year, more than half a million adults earn their GED diploma, and famous GED graduates include Dave Thomas (founder of Wendy’s), Peter Jennings, and Michael J. Fox.

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