GED

Overview

The GED test is a high school equivalency exam for adults in the United States who never completed or earned a traditional high school diploma. It is administered by GED Testing Service as a computer-based test made up of four separate subject tests, which a candidate can schedule and take one at a time rather than all in one sitting. Passing all four earns a GED credential, which colleges and employers across the US generally treat as equivalent to a high school diploma.

Who can apply

A candidate must not already hold a high school diploma. There is no requirement to be currently enrolled in school. The minimum age to test is set individually by each US state and commonly falls somewhere between 16 and 19; several states allow a younger candidate to test only with extra approval, such as a school withdrawal form or a recommendation from a school official. Residency rules and the identification documents accepted also vary by state, so a candidate should confirm their own state's requirements on GED.com before registering.

Exam pattern

Each subject is scheduled and paid for separately, so a candidate does not have to take all four subjects on the same day. Testing happens either at an in-person test center or through GED Online, a remote-proctored option that lets a candidate test from home under webcam supervision; availability of the online option can depend on the candidate's state and testing history.

Marking and results

Each subject is scored on a scale of 100 to 200. A score of 145 or higher on a subject is a pass, and a candidate earns the full GED credential once all four subjects reach at least 145. GED Testing Service also marks two higher bands on the same scale: a score of 165-174 is "GED College Ready," which can let a candidate skip some college placement tests or remedial, non-credit courses, and a score of 175-200 is "GED College Ready + Credit," which can make a candidate eligible for actual college credit in participating programs, subject to the receiving institution's own policy.

Fees

GED test fees are set individually by each US state rather than nationally by GED Testing Service, so the amount a candidate pays depends on where they test. For 2026, most states charge roughly $30 to$40 per subject, which puts the cost of all four subjects at roughly $120 to$160 if each is passed on the first attempt; some states charge different amounts, and a few subsidize part or all of the fee for residents. A separate $50 fee applies if a candidate asks GED Testing Service to re-score a written essay response, and that fee is refunded only if the challenge actually changes the score.

How to apply

A candidate registers directly through a free account on GED.com, entering their name, date of birth and address exactly as shown on the identification document they plan to present at the test. After answering the account's profile questions, the candidate uses the MyGED dashboard to schedule a subject test, choosing either an in-person test center or GED Online, and to pay that subject's fee online before the appointment.

After the exam

Scores are posted to the candidate's MyGED account, usually within a few days of testing. A GED credential, earned once all four subjects are passed, is accepted by the large majority of US colleges and employers as equivalent to a high school diploma, and a candidate who reaches the College Ready or College Ready + Credit bands may also qualify for college placement-test waivers or course credit at participating institutions. A candidate who does not pass a subject can retake it; exact waiting periods and discounts on retakes are also set per state, but a common pattern is a discounted retake offered for each full-price subject attempt that is not passed, usable within 365 days of that attempt.

Preparation tips

GED Testing Service sells an official practice test, GED Ready, for each subject. It estimates whether a candidate is likely to pass and points to the specific skill areas to review before attempting the real test.