What Is GED? Everything You Need To Know About GED
The United States has many standardized exams essential to K-12 education or related to it. The GED exam is among them and serves as an alternative certificate for those without a High School Diploma. This article will further introduce the GED and explaining what is the GED test as simply as possible.
1. What is GED?
GED, which stands for General Education Development, includes four subtests namely Social Studies, Math, Science and Language Arts. These tests are designed to evaluate students’ proficiency in standard high-school subjects for those who are at least 16 years old and have not enrolled in high school. Instead of checking your memorization of specific dates, facts or terms, the GED test requires you to demonstrate applied knowledge and skills related to particular situations. If you pass the GED test, you will attain a high-school equivalency diploma.
2. Why is the GED exam important?
People who do not complete high school in the United States have fewer options to get a job and can not attend college. Possessing a GED certificate can help you to get a better education and improve your job opportunities.
3. Who can take the GED test?
You must live in one of the 41 states that administers the GED test. It is recommended to find out which test is being provided in your specific state. If you state doesn’t offer the GED exam, you can gain a high school equivalency certificate by sitting for the HiSET exam.
The rules in each state that offers the GED program are different. If you are 18 years old or older and have not finished high school, you are eligible to take the test in many states.
In some cases, you can take the GED test if you are 16 or 17 years old. However, you may take preparation classes before the exam.
You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to take the GED test. You will need to show proof of identity. In some states, you are asked to show proof of state residence.
4. What is on the GED test?
The GED test comprises four subject tests namely Social Studies, Math, Science and Language Arts. There are various kinds of questions such as drag and drop, dropdown, select an area, multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank. The Language Arts test also includes an essay question. You can take the test in English, French and Spanish.
Test Subject |
Format |
Time |
Tests You On |
Mathematical Reasoning |
45 questions |
115 mins |
Understanding of math concepts including Geometry and Algebra. In this part, you are allowed to use a TI-30XS Multiview Scientific calculator. You can bring your own calculator or use a calculator on your computer screen. You are also permitted to use a formula sheet during the test. |
Language Arts |
53 questions 1 essay question |
90 mins 45 mins |
Ability to understand reading materials. Ability to write and express your ideas and arguments. |
Social Studies |
35 questions |
70 mins |
Knowledge of Civics, Government, U.S. History, Geography and Economics. |
Science |
34-35 questions |
90 mins |
Use of scientific ideas and reading diagrams and charts. |
It takes 7 hours to finish the entire exam. Each subject test takes 70 – 150 minutes. You can do each subtest on separate days. You can take the GED test on a computer at a testing site or take the test online if your state allows online testing.
>>> See Also: GED vs High School Diploma: What Are Differences?
5. How to register for the GED test?
First, you need to create an account on GED.com. Then, choose a testing center near you. There are over 3,000 testing locations across the United States which are operated by community colleges, local school boards and adult-education centers. Call 1-877-392-6433 (1-877-EXAM-GED) or access GED.com and click on “Locate a Test Center” at the end of the page to find a local testing location.
If you do not live in the United States, you may need to take the GED test at a testing center operated by Pearson VUE. Visit GED.com or call 1-877-392-6433 (1-877-EXAM-GED) to get further information about testing cites and procedures.
GED registration fees can vary depending on each area.
6. What is a high GED score?
Scoring is calculated based on the number of points a student gains in each section instead of the number of questions he/ she answers correctly. Different questions carry different point values. For instance, questions that require test takers to fill in two blanks or select options from two drop-down menus will carry two points. The number of questions a student needs to complete on test day may differ from one form of the test to another. What remains the same across different test forms is the number of points on each test. The total score for each of the four subject tests is totaled and then converted to a standard score ranging from 100 to 200.
Your final GED record will contain a standard score and percentile ranking. To obtain an equivalent certificate, you must gain an overall score that is 60% or higher than the scores of graduating high-school seniors.
To have a thorough preparation for the GED test and gain a high score, you can take GED Practice Test on our website. Our website provides full four subtests of a GED exam which will help you get familiar with the test format as well as common types of questions of four tests.