The General Educational Development (GED) testing program has been a part of the Alberta High School Equivalency Program since 1981. Between December 1981 and December 1983, 4,333 applicants passed the GED in Alberta, and 802 applicants failed to pass the test. Random samples of 200 individuals from each of these groups were studied to determine whether there are any consistent differences between members of the two groups. Usable questionnaires were returned by 46 percent of the GED-fail group and 67 percent of the GED-pass group. The characteristics of the Alberta GED student population were found to be quite similar to those of other equivalency program student populations. The older students tended to seek a GED certificate because they deemed it personally rewarding, whereas younger enrollees generally saw the GED as a way of gaining a better job. Those in the GED-fail group were likely to be younger, have lower levels of formal education, and be unemployed than were their counterparts in the GED-pass group. A second part of the study assessed the acceptance of the GED by Alberta postsecondary institutions. This was accomplished by a survey of registrars from 19 Alberta universities, colleges, and technical institutes. Evidence from the survey suggests that while the GED program has benefited a small number of persons who have participated in it, the magnitude of the benefit is difficult to ascertain. There was, however, some indication that additional program participants may benefit in the future as a number of postsecondary institutions seemed interested in establishing policies concerning the Alberta GED program. (MN)