Descriptions


Basic Skills Description:
 Basic Skills instruction is geared to those who do not have a high school diploma. Instruction levels
range from grades 0-12. Courses are useful for those who plan to enter an associate degree or
technical diploma program at MATC, pass the GED test, or enter MATC's Adult High School program
and earn a high school diploma. 

Basic Skills subjects include reading, mathematics, science and writing.
Spanish-language courses are also offered. 

Courses are offered at all four MATC campuses and 35 Community Based Organizations throughout
metro Milwaukee. 

GED Testing and HSED High School Equivalency Diploma:
If you need preparation before taking the General Educational Development (GED) test, MATC offers
many opportunities to help you learn what you need to know. The five GED tests are Social Studies,
Science, Language Arts - Reading, Mathematics and Language Arts - Writing. 

First, take MATC's Academic Screening Test to find out your reading and math levels and where you'll
need assistance. Call the MATC Testing Center at 414-297-7698 to listen to a taped message about how
 to arrange to take the Academic Screening Test. There is a fee for the pre-test.

After your screening test, you will meet with a counselor who will explain your test scores. We can help
you enroll in courses so you may prepare for the test. Studying is not required but often recommended.
Basic Skills courses and classes at MATC's Adult High School can help you catch up on English, mathematics,
science and social studies, no matter what your skill level. There are also specific GED Preparation classes
offered at MATC campuses during the day, evening and online. MATC also has classes at Community Based
Organizations (CBOs).

After the Academic Screening, if you want to begin taking the GED/HSED tests, you must first complete MATC's GED/HSED
Orientation and Career Planning course, CAREER-750. This workshop is a one-time session required by the state of Wisconsin.
It will explain what you need to know about taking the test, completing diploma requirements, and career planning. You will receive
a DPI form when you complete this workshop. This form is required for you to schedule a GED/HSED test. There is a cost for this
 workshop.

Earning an HSED
To earn a High School Equivalency Diploma, complete all of the steps above for the GED certificate, plus:
1. Complete a Civic Literacy requirement by either passing a test, successfully completing a Civic Literacy
course in MATC's Adult High School, or by showing on a high school transcript that you have earned three
high school Social Studies credits.
2. Complete a health requirement by either passing a test, completing half of a credit in health while in high
school, or completing an MATC Adult High School health course.
3. Complete MATC's Employability Skills course.
There are four other methods of earning a High School Equivalency Diploma. Please call 414-297-6591 for
information about these options.
For more information, visit the state of Wisconsin GED/HSED website: 
www.dpi.state.wi.us/dpi/dlsis/let/gedhsed.html

Take the GED/HSED Test
Call to schedule an appointment to take the GED/HSED tests at an MATC campus. To test, you must have a DPI
form that shows you have completed the Academic Screening and the CAREER-750 workshop.
If you started testing in another state or region of Wisconsin, you need an official transcript for MATC's Testing Center.

Downtown Milwaukee Campus:  414-297-7698 
Mequon Campus:  262-238-2300
Oak Creek Campus:  414-571-4711
West Allis Campus:   414-456-5492 

Visit the National GED site at www.gedtest.org/ for more information.

MATC Basic Skills/College Prep Home