GED Test Online

Who is eligible?

You may be eligible to take the GED test if:

• You are not currently enrolled in high school.
• You have not already earned a high school diploma.
• You meet your state’s age requirements.
• If you are 16 or 17 years old, you have completed any required state paperwork, waivers, or approval steps.

GED eligibility rules vary by state, so check your state’s requirements before you register.

How much does the test cost?

The cost of the GED test varies by state, but you can pay for one subject at a time instead of paying for all four at once. In most states, students should expect to pay about $30 to $40 per subject, or about $120 to $160 total if they pass all four subjects on the first try. Check your state’s GED testing policies for the most current pricing and retake fees.

What will I get out of taking the GED?

Taking the GED benefits you in more ways than you may think. Taking and passing the GED means:

• Getting a better job
• Continuing your education
• Making more money to better support yourself and/or your family
• Having a better future with more opportunities

How do I register to take the test?

You can register for the GED test on the official GED website at ged.com. After creating or signing in to your GED account, you can choose which subject test you want to take, select a test center or online testing option if available, pick a date and time, and pay for the test online.

Is the test only offered in English?

The test is currently offered in both English and Spanish.

Do colleges really accept a GED diploma, or am I wasting my time?

You are definitely NOT wasting your time. 97% of colleges accept the GED as sufficient proof of your academic ability. That is because the GED is the leading high school equivalency diploma, and has been for more than 70 years.

Passing the GED test is a huge accomplishment, and colleges recognize that.

What is the GED test made up of?

The GED test is made up of four subjects. You do not have to take all four subjects at once, so you can schedule them separately and work through them at your own pace.

Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA): The RLA section is 150 minutes long and includes one written essay, also called an extended response. You will have 45 minutes to complete the essay, and the section includes a 10-minute break between parts 2 and 3.

What it measures:

• Your ability to read closely and understand written text.
• Your ability to answer questions based on the text provided.
• Your ability to write clearly and support an argument with evidence.
• Your understanding of grammar, language, and basic English skills needed for college or a job.

Science: The Science section is 90 minutes long and does not include a scheduled break. You may use an on-screen calculator, and if you are testing at a test center, you may also be allowed to use your own TI-30XS calculator.

This section focuses on reading for meaning in science, designing and interpreting science experiments, and using numbers and graphics in science.

What it measures:

• Your ability to read, understand, and interpret science-related text.
• Your ability to interpret data, charts, tables, and graphics.
• Your ability to reason through science-related situations and draw conclusions from evidence.

Mathematical Reasoning: The Mathematical Reasoning section is 115 minutes long and is divided into two parts. You are not allowed to use a calculator on the first part, but you may use an on-screen calculator on the second part. If you are testing at a test center, you may also be allowed to use your own TI-30XS calculator.

You will have access to a calculator reference sheet and math formula sheet during the test.

What it measures:

• Your ability to solve problems using basic math, geometry, algebra, graphs, and functions.
• Your algebraic problem-solving skills.
• Your quantitative problem-solving skills.

Social Studies: The Social Studies section is 70 minutes long and does not include a scheduled break. You may use an on-screen calculator, and if you are testing at a test center, you may also be allowed to use your own TI-30XS calculator.

This section focuses on reading for meaning in social studies, analyzing historical events and arguments, and using numbers and graphs in social studies.

What it measures:

• Your ability to read, understand, and interpret social studies-related text.
• Your ability to analyze events, arguments, and evidence.
• Your ability to use charts, graphs, and numerical information in social studies-related situations.

How is the test formatted?

The test is designed so that each portion is taken separately, rather than altogether. In each section, you can expect to find:

• Multiple choice questions
• Fill in the blank type questions
• Drag-and-drop questions
• Short answer questions
• Hot spot questions

What score do I need to get in order to pass?

The GED test is scored by subject. Each subject test is scored on a scale from 100 to 200.

To pass the GED test and earn your high school equivalency credential, you must score at least 145 on each of the four subject tests.

• 145–164: GED Passing Score
• 165–174: GED College Ready
• 175–200: GED College Ready + Credit

These score levels apply to each subject test individually, so a high score on one subject does not make up for a lower score on another subject.

Your scores are usually available in your GED account within 24 hours after testing, though some scores may take up to 3 business days to post.

Where do I take the test?

You can take the GED test at an official GED testing center. In some states, you may also be able to take the test online with a proctor. When you register through your GED account, you can search for testing centers near you, see whether online testing is available in your area, and choose the option that works best for you.

If you live outside the United States, visit the official GED website to check testing options for your country.

I took the test twice, but failed it. What options do I have? Or do I even have options?

Don’t worry. You definitely have options. Fortunately, there is no limit to how many times you can retake the GED test.

However, after taking and failing the test 3 times, you will need to wait a total of 60 days before retaking it.

How Can I Prepare for the GED Test?

We believe that different learning styles require different tools for success. We have compiled a list of the best study guides, flashcards, and practice tests that we’ve found on the market. We have even included a complete online GED prep course. Some of these resources have review videos, for you visual learners out there. Others have practice tests, which have been proven to increase student scores by a whole letter grade (in some cases more than that)! The online GED prep course has an entire set of lessons and full-length practice test.