Getting a GED

Getting a GED can be a challenge but it is worth the time and effort.

The General Educational Development (GED) is a high school equivalent certificate available to anyone at least 18 years of age who has not completed or is currently enrolled in high school. The GED consists of five sections, called a battery, which contain questions a typical high school graduating student should be able to answer in math, social studies, language arts/reading, language arts/writing and science. Any adult past traditional high-school age can earn a GED. Before you begin on your journey to getting a GED, decide first if you want to study online or through GED home-study courses.

Things You'll Need

• GED test prep books

Instructions

1. Research the GED by visiting websites and reading GED test prep books from your local library, adult education schools or bookstores. Talk with family members or friends to learn about their experiences in studying for and taking the GED so you'll know what to expect. Find out what state requirements you must meet and the fee you will need to pay to take the GED through your local GED testing center (see Step 2 for more on finding a center).

2. Find a local GED testing center. Register for the GED exam. While there are online sites you can use to study for the GED and learn information about it, you cannot take the GED test online. You must take the GED exam at a GED testing center, which you can find through the official site for the American Council on Education or by calling the National GED Hotline at [phone]. If there is more than one GED testing center in your area, select the one with the best location and special accommodations for your individual needs.

3. Take a practice GED exam. Test preparatory books and online sites offer practice exams to help a student gauge his readiness for the actual GED exam. The practice test will encourage you to focus your studies before taking the actual exam as you see in which areas you need to work harder. You can take the practice exam several times at your convenience.

4. Clear your schedule for the day of the exam. The GED exam can take seven or more hours, and you will need to focus on the exam without interruption. If you cannot take the entire exam in one day, request to take each section, called a battery, of the exam on separate testing days. Your score for each battery will be good for three years, during which time you will need to complete the other sections. If you don't complete the entire exam in three years, your scores will expire and you will have to start over.

5. Review your GED score. The GED scoring system is set by the Commission on Adult Learning and Educational Credentials. Ideally, you'll want to score 450 or higher for each section of the exam. The minimum score you'll want to earn for each battery is 410. If you score 450 or higher on at least five test batteries, your chances of passing the exam improve. If your total score for the exam is at least 2250, you pass the exam and earn your GED. If you don't pass the exam, you can try again another time.

Tips & Warnings

• Find out what you can bring with you to the exams. Some locations forbid extra clothing or food.

• Beware of websites promising a GED for a hefty fee -- these are usually scams.

References

• American Council on Education: GED Testing Service
• How to Get Your GED: Home Page
• GED Academy: Home Page

Resources

• GED Prep Info: Free GED Practice Test
• Test-Guide.com: Home Page
• GED Prep Info: GED Test Scores
• GED Academy: Passing the GED Test -- A Critical Credential, But How Hard Is It?