The GED, which stands for General Educational Development, is a test developed by the American Council on Education (ACE)[1] that determines whether you have knowledge comparable to that of a high school graduate. The GED is accepted at the majority of colleges, technical schools and employers as equivalent to a high school degree. Read on for information about how to prepare for and take the GED.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Understand GED Basics

  1. 1
    Review your state's requirements for taking the GED. In most states you must be at least sixteen years of age and not currently enrolled in a high school. The requirements are different for every state.[2]
  2. 2
    Know what the GED entails. The GED tests your knowledge in four subject areas:[3] language arts (reading and writing), mathematics, social studies and history, and science.
    Advertisement
  3. 3
    Know how long you have to take each subject test. The GED is taken over the course of 7 hours and 45 minutes. Depending on which testing center you choose, you may be able to divide the test into parts taken on separate days, rather than sitting for the entire test at once.
  4. 4
    Understand the scoring system. The scores for each subject test range from 200 to 800. In order to pass the test, you must have a total score of at least 2250, and you must score at least 410 in each individual subject area.
  5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Prepare to Take the GED

  1. 1
  2. 2
    Retain good study habits. That is the main key to GED success. Every day at the same time, sit down at the same place and study hard!
    • Studying with flashcards might be a good idea, especially if you're a visual learner. Flashcards will allow you to use your kinesthetic learning when writing out the information while also using visual learning when reading the cards and auditory learning by repeating the information out loud.
    • Creating a study schedule will help you memorize and understand more concepts. If you tend to study without discipline, give scheduling a try, since studying more consistently will probably yield better results.
  3. 3
    Consider getting outside help. Most communities have adult education programs that are often connected to finding employment or entering a certification program or college.
  4. 4
    Develop a test-taking strategy. It's not easy to concentrate for over seven hours straight. It's important to strategize ways to get through the test before you walk into the testing center.
  5. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Take the GED

  1. 1
    Sign up for a test. Find a local GED testing center and sign up for a time that is available to you.[4]
  2. 2
    Take the test. Arrive promptly on testing day and use the techniques you practiced to take the complete test.
    • If you arranged to take the test on several different days, make sure you complete each portion of the test.
    • Follow the test administrator's instructions closely so you don't disqualify yourself from taking the test that day.
  3. 3
    Receive your score. Every testing center handles giving out scores differently. In some cases you may have to contact the testing center to receive your score, and in other cases it may be sent to you.
  4. 4
    Take the test again. If you didn't pass, you may take the test again after a specified waiting period. Check your state's requirements and ask your testing center when you may schedule a second test time.[5]
  5. Advertisement

Community Q&A

  • Question
    Can I get into any university with a GED?
    LeahlovesGod
    LeahlovesGod
    Top Answerer
    It depends on the university. Your GED certificate is the equivalent to a high school diploma. If you have great marks on all your GED test, it may be enough to get you into university. If your grades are average, you may need to either retake certain GED tests to get better marks, or, the university may have a different test for you to take.
  • Question
    How much will I have to pay to get a GED?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You should only have to pay for the exams which are usually $120 all together in most states.
  • Question
    What if the person taking their GED is not fluent in written English?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can take the exam in Spanish or any other language. Most languages likely will be provided.
Advertisement

Warnings

  • Do not attempt to take the GED test without studying first. You will be unprepared, and may be disappointed in your results.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • Remember, the GED test is currently not available online. Avoid signing up for any website that claims to offer the GED test online as these are fraudulent.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • A GED study book
  • Plenty of college ruled paper
  • Pencils
  • A scientific calculator (Casio fx-260 solar is the official GED testing calculator)

About This Article

Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.
Co-authored by:
Educational Consultant
This article was co-authored by Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.. Alexander Ruiz is an Educational Consultant and the Educational Director of Link Educational Institute, a tutoring business based in Claremont, California that provides customizable educational plans, subject and test prep tutoring, and college application consulting. With over a decade and a half of experience in the education industry, Alexander coaches students to increase their self-awareness and emotional intelligence while achieving skills and the goal of achieving skills and higher education. He holds a BA in Psychology from Florida International University and an MA in Education from Georgia Southern University. This article has been viewed 352,936 times.
5 votes - 76%
Co-authors: 27
Updated: February 2, 2023
Views: 352,936
Categories: Exams by Type
Article SummaryX

To get a GED, start by finding a local testing center and registering for the class several months in advance. Then, spend the next few months studying for each of the sections on the exam, which include math, reading, and social studies. If you need more help studying, consider taking a prep course at a community college or signing up for a class online. On the day of the test, arrive on time and closely follow the instructor’s directions to get the best possible score. For tips on developing a test-taking strategy, read on!

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement