How to Get Your GED in Missouri

You must pass the GED test in order to get the certificate.

If you never completed high school in Missouri, you can get a General Educational Development (GED) certificate, which is considered by many employers and colleges as the equivalent of a high school education, according to Missouri's Department of Elementary & Secondary Education. To obtain your GED, you need to fulfill certain requirements and achieve a passing score on the GED exam. The exam tests for "basic" knowledge and skills that a high school diploma holder has; in particular, you will be tested on content in social studies, science, mathematics and language arts (writing and reading).

Things You'll Need

• Completed application
• $20 application fee
• $20 testing fee
• Testing Authorization
• Missouri photo identification
• Demographic form
• Transcript request form and appropriate fees

Instructions

Qualifying to Take the GED in Missouri

1. Find out if you qualify to take the GED test. You have to be a Missouri resident and 18 years of age or older to take the GED. However, eligible 16- or 17-year-olds may also take the exam, according to the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education.

2. Obtain a GED application by downloading it from the website listed in the Resources. You can also get an application from most high school guidance offices, libraries, all GED testing sites and Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) centers. Or, you may request that an application be mailed to you by calling 573-751-3504.

3. Complete and mail the application along with a $20 money order made payable to "Treasurer State of Missouri" to:

   GED Office
   P.O. Box 480
   Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480

   Once approved, the GED office will send a "GED Testing Authorization" and a list of AEL centers and testing sites to you.

4. Visit an AEL center (see Resources for locations). While you're there, complete a demographic form (information packet) and take a sample GED test. To prepare for the exam, you can either study on your own or take classes (see Resources for an online program for Missouri residents).

5. Locate the closest GED testing center to you (see Resources for a list of test sites). Contact the center to make an appointment to take the GED.

6. Show up on your scheduled date to take the test. Bring the following to the test site: GED Testing Authorization; $20 in cash or money order; demographic form and current Missouri identification (driver's license or state-issued ID).

7. Request that official transcripts be sent to you, your employer or college by mailing a completed "GED Transcript Request" form and the appropriate fees to the GED Testing Office once you have achieved a passing score on the exam (see Resources for the form).

Tips & Warnings

• Special testing accommodations are available to you if you are disabled.

• You can retake the test after 60 days if you weren't successful the first time. You are allowed to take the test up to three times a year, according to Missouri's Department of Elementary & Secondary Education.

• The American Council on Education warns test-takers that the official GED exam cannot be taken on the Internet.

References

• Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education: GED Testing-Taking the Test
• American Council on Education: Welcome GED Test-Takers!
• Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education: GED Testing Forms
• Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education: GED Testing Accommodations

Resources

• Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education: Application
• Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education: AEL Missouri Programs
• Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education: GED Testing Centers
• Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education: Transcript Request
• GED OnlineClass