Missing portions of a General Educational Development exam at McHenry County College caused a security clampdown on testing this week.
The result is that county residents seeking the equivalent of a high school diploma over the next month or two must take the test elsewhere.
The Crystal Lake college is the only place authorized to administer the test in McHenry County, but it can’t do so while state officials investigate the loss of four of five subject tests.
Last Friday the college realized portions of a Spanish-language version of the test were missing. Although only the Spanish version was missing, the investigation halted all GED testing at the college.
Crucial to job-seekers and military recruits, the test is taken through McHenry County College by 30 to 40 people every month, officials said.
The exams, distributed nationally by the American Council on Education’s GED Testing Service, are closely guarded to prevent cheating.
“They come in a secure white plastic container with locks that can only be opened with snippers,” said Brenda Carmody, GED administrator for the Illinois State Board of Education.
People who had been scheduled to take the tests Tuesday and Wednesday were notified that the exams were canceled until other arrangements are made. Officials are trying to arrange for McHenry County residents to take the tests at College of Lake County in Grayslake.
If an exam is missing at a site, officials cancel testing within a 50-mile radius.
Carmody said the people in charge of GED testing at McHenry County College may have to be coached on security procedures. She said breaches are rare: There was one incident in Illinois last year, and this is the first in the state this year.
McHenry County College, which has administered the test for at least 20 years, said it has never had a problem before.
“Our procedures are pretty careful,” said Dennis Massey, the college’s interim president. “But I think we will certainly be doing some double-checking.”
