About the GED
Overview
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If you're over the age of 16, the General Educational Development (GED) exam provides you with the opportunity to earn a certificate or diploma that is widely recognized as the equivalent of a high school diploma. Many schools will accept GED certification for entrance into a college or university program.
There are a total of five tests that must be passed before you can earn your GED.
In the Language Arts, Writing test, you will answer multiple-choice questions in which you must identify errors in sentence structure, usage, mechanics, and organization. There is also an essay.
During the Social Studies test, you will be tasked with answering multiple-choice questions drawn from history, economics, geography, civics, and government. The test gauges your understanding of the basic principles in each. To do well, you must be able to read passages, cartoons, graphs, and charts.
For the Science test, multiple-choice questions are drawn from the fields of life science, earth and space science, and physical science (chemistry and physics). Answering the questions requires a combination of excellent reading skills, specific knowledge, and the ability to interpret scientific data.
The Language Arts, Reading test includes multiple-choice questions which test your ability to understand the information presented in approximately seven excerpts from newspapers, magazines, novels, short stories, poetry, drama, and business or legal documents.
Finally, there's the mathematics test. There are algebra, measurement, and geometry questions, as well as some that cover number theory, data analysis, and probability. Most are word problems and involve real-life situations or ask you to interpret information presented in graphs, charts, tables, and diagrams. Part I of the exam allows you to use a calculator; Part II does not.
Test Dates
The GED is offered periodically throughout the year. Contact your state's GED office for further information.
Test Locations
You can take the GED at various locations in your area. Your state's GED office will be able to provide you with further details.
Test Structure
| Language Arts, Writing | |
| Question Type | Number of Questions |
| Sentence corrections, revisions, and construction questions | 50 |
| Essay question | 1 |
| Time Allotted: One 75-minute session, one 45-minute session. Total: 2 hours | |
| Social Studies | |
| Question Type | Number of Questions |
| Multiple-choice | 50 |
| Time Allotted: 70 minutes | |
| Science | |
| Question Type | Number of Questions |
| Multiple-choice | 50 |
| Time Allotted: 80 minutes | |
| Language Arts, Reading | |
| Question Type | Number of Questions |
| Multiple-choice | 50 |
| Time Allotted: 65 minutes | |
| Mathematics | |
| Question Type | Number of Questions |
Multiple-choice and grid-ins (with calculator) | 25 |
| Multiple-choice and grid-ins (without calculator) | 25 |
| Time Allotted: Two 45-minute sessions. Total: 90 minutes | |
Scoring
For each GED test, you will receive a score between 200 and 800. You will also receive percentile scores, which compare your performance to that of graduating high school seniors. In addition, score reports include a score total from all five tests, as well as an average.
Perhaps the most important elements on the GED score report are two small boxes: Pass and Non-Pass. Minimum passing scores are determined by the jurisdiction in which you take the tests.
