What Are The GED Requirements You Need To Meet In 2023?

According to a survey, there were over 15% of U.S students who did not graduate high school in 2019 because of many various reasons. More specifically, some of them admitted that they failed too many classes or skipped lectures frequently. Others had to drop out of their high schools and make a living. Nevertheless, dropping out of high school isn’t the end of the world because you have many ways to achieve great success in life. One of which is taking a high school equivalency diploma – GED certificate. 

The GED (General Educational Development) Test aims to gauge students’ academic abilities and knowledge in relation to typical high school grads. More specifically, you need to pass a battery of 4 main subtests including Mathematical Reasoning, Language Arts, Social Studies and Science on your GED test to become a GED holder. 

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people earn their GED certificate in order to get a better job or enroll in college. If you are planning on sitting for the GED exam, you need to meet a set of GED requirements proposed in this article. Let’s check it out. 

 

1. What are the minimum GED requirements for getting a GED? 

 

Although GED regulations may vary depending on the state where you live, here are a set of minimum requirements for taking the GED, which are set by the GED Testing Service. 

• You must not currently be enrolled in high school.
• You must not have never graduated from high school.
• You are at least 18 years old or older. However, some states allow testing at younger ages such as 16 and 17 years old with additional special demands  regarding age, residency, preparation, and the length of time since leaving school. Let’s check your state’s requirements below.

>>> See Also: Tips To Ease GED Test Anxiety

 

 

2.What are GED state requirements?

 

As mentioned above, test eligibility varies in different local jurisdictions and as long as they meet the GED Testing Service minimum standards.  More specifically, all states, territories, and provinces do not allow current high school students or high school graduates to take the GED test. Besides, test takers will have to give a valid form of ID, such as a current driver’s license, state issued ID,  military ID or passport to your local testing authorities to prove that you are a resident of this area.

Furthermore, some states require additional documentation. People in Alabama, for instance, are 17 years old, they must submit a notarized Student Exit Interview form from their school system. 

Additionally, a local testing fee ranging from $50 to $150 will be required, if you are taking GED in some states. Let’s review the table below for more information about GED eligibility requirements for each state. It should be noted that you don’t need to go to a testing site and take the GED exam in-person because you can take the exam online if your states are allowing it now.

 

No.	State or Territory	GED Test Offered	Online GED Test Offered	Minimum Age Required
1	Alabama	Yes	Yes	16+
2	Alaska	Yes	Yes	16+
3	American Samoa	Yes	Yes	18+
4	Arizona	Yes	Yes	16+
5	Arkansas	Yes	Yes	16+
6	California	Yes	Yes	18+
7	Colorado	Yes	Yes	16+
8	Connecticut	Yes	Yes	18+
9	Delaware	Yes	Yes	16+
10	District of Columbia	Yes	Yes	18+
11	Florida	Yes	Yes	16+
12	Georgia	Yes	Yes	16+
13	Guam	Yes	Yes	18+
14	Hawaii	Yes	No	N/A
15	Idaho	Yes	Yes	16+
16	Illinois	Yes	Yes	16+
17	Indiana	No	N/A	N/A
18	Iowa	No	N/A	N/A
19	Kansas	Yes	Yes	16+
20	Kentucky	Yes	Yes	18+
21	Louisiana	No	N/A	N/A
22	Maine	No	N/A	N/A
23	Maryland	Yes	Yes	18+
24	Massachusetts	Yes	Yes	16+
25	Michigan	Yes	Yes	16+
26	Minnesota	Yes	Yes	17+
27	Mississippi	Yes	Yes	18+
28	Missouri	No	N/A	N/A
29	Montana	No	N/A	N/A
30	Nebraska	Yes	Yes	16+
31	Nevada	Yes	Yes	16+
32	New Hampshire	No	N/A	N/A
33	New Jersey	Yes	Yes	16+
34	New Mexico	Yes	Yes	16+
35	New York	No	N/A	N/A
36	North Carolina	Yes	Yes	18+
37	North Dakota	Yes	Yes	16+
38	Northern Mariana Islands	Yes	Yes	18+
39	Ohio	Yes	Yes	16+
40	Oklahoma	Yes	Yes	18+
41	Oregon	Yes	Yes	16+
42	Pennsylvania	Yes	Yes	18+
43	Rhode Island	Yes	Yes	16+
44	South Carolina	Yes	No	N/A
45	South Dakota	Yes	Yes	16+
46	Tennessee	No	N/A	N/A
47	Texas	Yes	Yes	16+
48	Utah	Yes	Yes	16+
49	Vermont	Yes	No	N/A
50	Virgin Islands	Yes	Yes	17+
51	Virginia	Yes	Yes	16+
52	Washington	Yes	Yes	16+
53	West Virginia	No	N/A	N/A
54	Wisconsin	Yes	Yes	17+
55	Wyoming	Yes	Yes	16+

 

3. What Happens Next?

 

If you meet all the GED requirements, you should start studying for the GED exam as soon as possible. Because your knowledge as high school seniors will be assessed on the GED test, you need to grasp what to expect on your GED examinations such as types of questions, time limitations, test regulations and so on. 

The GED test consists of 4 discrepant tests: Social Studies, Science, Mathematical Reasoning, and Reasoning Through Language Arts. You can either take all four tests at once or opt to space them out and take them at your own pace. 

Moreover, GED test scores are conventionally measured on a scale of 100-200, with the passing score being 145 on all four tests. Addition to taking in-person classes at a prep center, to facilitate your GED prep online, GED Test Pro has introduced numerous Free GED Practice Tests online to you.  On our leading learning platform, you can choose what subjects you want to study freely. It is easier, more convenient and flexible when you study online. If you need little guidance, visit our study guides and blog sites where you might find a lot of helpful information regarding the GED test and its qualification. 

>> See Also: Fake GED Certificate: Should You Get And How To Spot It?

 

4.What are FQAs about GED requirements?

 

4.1. What happens if you are under 18?

 

Unless you’re over eighteen, you may still be qualified for taking the exam. While some states ask you to be 18 or older to register for the exam, many will allow you to take the test if you are under 18 and meet other requirements. 

More specifically, you might need to fill out an age waiver or get parent/guardian permission. Moreover, some states may require you to sign documents from your local school district. Others will ask you to enroll in state-approved preparation classes before testing. Let’s check your state’s requirements for GED above. 

 

 

4.2. How much does it cost to get a GED?

 

Actually, GED testing fees often vary from state to state. However, the cost for the exam itself can be anywhere from $0-$150. Especially, if you are in NY, testing is completely free 

 In the state of New York, for example, testing is completely free. In other states, testing fees may differ because of distinctive administrative fees depending on the testing location you choose. The average GED testing fee will be about $120.

>>> Read More: How To Prep For The GED Test ?

 

4.3. How many times can you take the GED test?

 

Typically, you are allowed to take 4 GED subtests at a time. If you fail one of 4 these subtests, you will have two subsequent retests. Although there are usually no restrictions in regard to retakes, states’ regulations vary.

You will wait for at least 60 days before you can retake the GED test in almost every state, if you fail the third subtest. Again, states may force additional requirements so you had better get well informed. 

In short, our blog has provided you with useful information about GED requirements. Read carefully if you intend to sit for the GED exam in order to qualify for a college education, get a decent job, earn promotions, and work toward a better future.