What Is a GED Test?

The GED test (General Education Development or General Equivalency Diploma) is an exam which, when completed with passing scores, certifies that you have Canadian or American educational abilities equal to a high school graduate level. The GED certificate is widely accepted in place of a diploma for many jobs and for entering some higher education institutions. The average recipient of a GED certificate is age 24 and has finished the 10th grade One in 20 of these students goes on to college.

Features

GED testing is composed of five separate tests. They may be taken all at once or separately, at different times. The language arts test is divided into two parts, the essay and language structure. Social studies, science, reading and mathematics are the other four testing areas. Each test has a different amount of time to complete. You will need to pay a fee for each test. The amount varies widely depending on the state, county and/or individual testing institution.

Disabilities

Students with disabilities are granted reasonable accommodations needed for testing. A GED disabilities form must be completed and approved before the accommodations for testing are arranged. Some of the disabilities generally approved for special help in taking the GED test are blindness (low vision), hearing impairment, mobility impairment, dyslexia, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, Tourette's syndrome, attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity.

Scoring

The maximum score on each GED test is 800. A minimum score of 410 on each test must be attained, with an average of all scores at lest 450. If you do not pass one of the tests, you are not required to take all the tests over, just the failed test. It is up to the administering institution as to the number of times you may retake a test within a year, or how much time must pass between testing. Some institutions charge additional fees for retesting, while others do not.

Registration

In some locations, registering for GED testing may require you to take a pretest. This is to verify your readiness to take the GED test. A picture I.D. is required to register for testing. A driver's license, state I.D., passport or military I.D. are identification documents most often used. You must bring your identification to each test in order to prove your identity. Normally, the fee is due at the time of registration.

Qualifications

Not everyone is qualified to take the GED test. You must not currently be attending high school or possess a high school diploma. You must be 18 years of age or older, although under special circumstances younger individuals may be allowed to take the GED test.