Under the motto “Advancing Adult Education, Together,” GED Testing Service was proud to host the 2026 annual conference on July 29-31 in charming Atlanta, Georgia.
This year’s theme was “Gather, Collaborate, & Explore: Practical Solutions to Help Adult Students Thrive,” which clearly indicates the organization’s goal of applying innovation in adult education.
GED Testing Service was excited to welcome educators and other adult education stakeholders to America’s Heart of the South, Atlanta, home to culture, connection, and innovation.
One of the leading online platforms preparing students for the GED exam, Onsego GED Prep, also attended this year’s conference, highlighting the crucial role of online education in this high school equivalency program.
The following video highlights the 2025 GED Conference, themed “It Starts With You,” and reminds us of the role and impact educators have in shaping a brighter future for so many adult learners.
The 2026 GED Conference
The organization is convinced that this year’s GED Conference was an unforgettable experience where education, culture, inspiration, connection, and community came together to empower and celebrate today’s adult learners and tomorrow’s leaders.
This year’s GED conference was a celebration of adult education progress across America, and the event was significantly bigger than ever before, offering attendees more opportunities to discover and discuss new educational programs and more options for collaboration.
What is a GED?
The GED program offers adult learners who could not finish high school the opportunity to earn an educational credential that’s equivalent to a regular high school diploma.
The GED (General Education Development) examination consists of four modular, independent tests that measure a candidate’s academic proficiency in the core subject areas of Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies.
When speaking of “a GED,” we usually refer to the diploma that’s awarded when a student has completed the four sub-examinations. To pass these modules, a minimum score of 145 is required on a 100-200 scale.
The GED examination is available at numerous state-certified testing centers and in an online format. To qualify for online testing, however, candidates must have achieved passing scores on the official so-called “GED Ready Test.”
Why does it matter?
Without a secondary education credential (high school diploma or GED), securing decently paying employment is next to impossible. Even at the entry level, this level of academic achievement is practically everywhere a prerequisite.
Having a GED makes the holder qualified for professional certificate programs, job advancement, better pay, and better employment options in general.
The GED diploma also allows for continued education in college or university. Practically all institutions of post-secondary education recognize and accept a GED in the same way as a regular high school diploma.
Conference Preview
On July 28, there was a GED Administrator Meeting, but the actual 2026 GED Testing Service Conference opened on July 28 at 1:00 p.m.
There were sessions featuring the latest updates on the GED Mobile App, a development that supports students effectively.
There was also a strong focus on the Spanish-language GED test, addressing the four GED subject fields in Spanish and supporting multilingual learners and educators.
During the conference, much attention was paid to GED Analytics, both for basic and advanced educators, to improve their understanding of data-driven teaching.
GED Graduates of the Year
Another key element of the annual GED Conference is the “GED Graduates of the Year Awards Ceremony,” highlighting inspiring stories of perseverance, strength, and academic success from GED graduates.
The GED Conference is an event that embraces respect, inclusion, and accessibility for so many attendees, and throughout the event, accessible accommodations are readily available to safeguard a welcoming and positive experience for all.
The 2026 Annual GED Conference was a wonderful opportunity for learning and networking in the vibrant city of Atlanta, where education and innovation are central.
GED Conference Location
The Annual GED Conference was held on July 29-31, 2026, at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, 265 Peachtree Center Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30303