The tests of General Education Development (GED) provide adults with opportunities to attend and graduate from postsecondary institutions. A study investigated the academic achievement of GED recipients compared to that of high school diploma (HSD) students graduating from the Community College of Allegheny County (Pennsylvania) between June 1985 and August 1986. The t-test for independent sample means was employed to test the hypothesis that GED students graduate with higher cumulative grade-point averages (GPAs) than do HSD students. A total of 112 student EPAs were measured: 56 GED and 56 HSD students. According to study results, no significant difference was found to exist between mean cumulative GPAs of GED and HSD graduates. The theoretical framework of credentialism underlies the study's significance. Both GED and HSD students perceived the importance of obtaining the degree as a passport to the world of employment and college; employers also perceive the high school diploma as the minimum credential necessary for employees. (Author/KC)