GED Testing Service Launches Online Marketplace

WASHINGTON, Aug. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- GED Testing Service announced the launch of GED Marketplace, a first-of-its-kind collaboration in adult education and GED testing. GED Marketplace is a safe and secure, one-stop shop for adult learners looking for GED testing and adult education study materials online.

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"Nothing like this has ever existed before," said Nick Laul, vice president of strategy and business development at GED Testing Service. "Instead of wading through online ads and purchasing materials that may be of questionable value, adult learners who use GED Marketplace can feel confident that the resources are both legitimate and reliable."

GED Marketplace is an easy-to-use e-commerce site featuring more than 100 products for learners at all levels and interests. Today, the site includes materials to help adults with basic skills programs, computer skills training, and it offers the Official GED Practice Test online. Product variety is expected to increase even more as GED Testing Service seeks to double the number of organizations involved.

"Steck-Vaughn has provided innovative and effective learning solutions for 70 years and we're excited for our continued relationship with GED Testing Service and to be part of the launch of GED Marketplace," said Dan Griffith, senior vice president for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's Steck-Vaughn Adult Education division.

Nearly half of all adults who take the GED test study on their own, outside of a traditional classroom setting. Those who go online for study materials may be the target of online scams that the GED Testing Service warned about in a March 2012 TODAY Show piece. GED Marketplace is free from online ads and gives adults access to preparation resources brought together from industry-leading organizations. This helps adults stay on track and find the legitimate help they need.

"We're pleased to expand our relationship with GED Testing Service through participation in the GED Marketplace, which will enable us to fulfill our joint mission of providing preparation materials for adult learners across the country," said Steve Jacoby, chief publishing and program officer for Paxen Learning.

Today, there are 10 industry-leading publishers who are partnering with GED Testing Service to provide study resources for adult learners. Those publishers include: Steck-Vaughn, Paxen Learning, LearningExpress, REA, Ellsworth Publishing, MetaMetrics, Labyrinth Learning, Cengage Learning, LearnScape, and Kuder.

"We are proud to be part of the GED Marketplace launch, offering comprehensive online preparation courses and practice tests, in both English and Spanish, for the GED test," said Barry Lippman, CEO of LearningExpress.

Although adults may practice online, the official GED test must be taken in person at an official testing center. To learn more about GED Marketplace or for additional information, please visit marketplace.GEDtestingservice.com.

About GED Testing Service
The GED test has opened doors to better jobs and college programs for more than 18 million graduates since 1942. Last year nearly 800,000 adults sat for the GED test, which is accepted by virtually all U.S. colleges and employers. As the creator of the one official GED test, GED Testing Service has a responsibility to ensure that the program continues to be a reliable and valuable pathway to a better life for the millions of adults without a high school diploma. GED Testing Service is a joint venture between Pearson and the American Council on Education (ACE).

For more information about GED Testing Service or about the GED Testing Service story, visit www.GEDtestingservice.com/educators/great-things.

SOURCE GED Testing Service