GED test
The GED is four subject tests you can take one at a time, online or at a test center. Score 145 or higher on all four to earn your state's high school equivalency credential; the price is set by your state.
Subjects4Take them one at a time
Pass145On each subject
PriceBy statee.g. California $41 a subject
Minimum ageBy stateOften 18; NY 19
Made by GED Testing Service. Who: Adults without a high school diploma (minimum age set by each state). Checked on the owner's own pages, 21 Oct 2026.
Who takes it
- For people without a high school diploma who are not enrolled in high school; age, residency and other rules vary by state.
GED
GED State Policies (price, age and rules by state)GED Testing Service- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Texas: 18, or younger with a parent's or guardian's permission (some 16-year-olds need a court order; no one under 16).
GED
GED in Texas: age, price and retake policiesGED Testing Service- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- California: 18, or 17 if you meet extra requirements, but the certificate comes only at 18.
GED
GED in California: age, price and retake policiesGED Testing Service- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Illinois: 18, or 17 with a withdrawal letter from your last school.
GED
GED in Illinois: age, price and retake policiesGED Testing Service- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Florida: 16- and 17-year-olds must file a declaration of intent to leave school and a notarized underage testing form. New York: 19.
GED
GED in Florida: age, price and retake policiesGED Testing Service- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Format and sections
| Subject | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematical Reasoning | 115 min | On-screen calculator on part 2; formula sheet |
| Reasoning Through Language Arts | 150 min | Includes a 45-minute essay and a 10-minute break |
| Social Studies | 70 min | No break |
| Science | 90 min | No break |
Source: GED
GED Test Subjects (times and formats)GED Testing Service
View source
- Multiple choice plus drag-and-drop, fill-in-the-blank, select-an-area and drop-down questions. You can space the four tests out however you like.
GED
GED Test Subjects (times and formats)GED Testing Service- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Scoring
| Score on a subject | Means |
|---|---|
| 145 or higher | Pass (needed on all four) |
| 165–174 | GED College Ready: may skip placement tests or remedial courses |
| 175–200 | GED College Ready + Credit: could qualify for up to 10 college credit hours |
Source: GED
GED Test Scores (145 to pass, College Ready levels)GED Testing Service
View source
Fees and fee waivers
Each state sets the price. Five examples from GED.com's state pages: GED
GED State Policies (price, age and rules by state)GED Testing Service
View source
| State | Price |
|---|---|
| California | $41 per subject (test center or online) GEDGED in California: age, price and retake policiesGED Testing Service
|
| Florida | $38 (test center) GEDGED in Florida: age, price and retake policiesGED Testing Service
|
| Illinois | $36 per subject; $26 off per subject from the Illinois Community College Board while funding lasts GEDGED in Illinois: age, price and retake policiesGED Testing Service
|
| New York | No charge: New York State pays GEDGED in New York: age and priceGED Testing Service
|
| Texas | $36.25 per subject at a center, $42.25 online; state pays for eligible adults 21+ through Adult Education and Literacy while funding lasts GEDGED in Texas: age, price and retake policiesGED Testing Service
|
- California retakes: one discounted test-center retake for each subject you fail, within 365 days, plus a $15 center fee; online retakes cost the full $41, and after two online attempts at a subject you wait 60 days.
GED
GED in California: age, price and retake policiesGED Testing Service- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Texas retakes: two discounted test-center retakes for each subject you fail, within 365 days, plus a $16.25 center fee; online retakes cost $42.25.
GED
GED in Texas: age, price and retake policiesGED Testing Service- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Illinois also requires the Illinois/U.S. Constitution Test and then awards a standard high school diploma.
GED
GED in Illinois: age, price and retake policiesGED Testing Service- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Test dates
- No national dates: schedule each subject online or at a test center when you are ready; age and other rules vary by area.
GED
GED State Policies (price, age and rules by state)GED Testing Service- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- In Texas, GED.com says you can prepare online or in class but take the test only online (from home or at a testing center).
GED
GED in Texas: age, price and retake policiesGED Testing Service- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Where it is accepted
- Passing all four earns your state's high school equivalency credential; GED.com says the College Ready score levels can mean skipping placement tests or earning college credit.
GED
GED Test Scores (145 to pass, College Ready levels)GED Testing Service- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Free official practice
- Free GED preview tests in all four subjects (a quarter of the real length, with answer explanations), in English and Spanish; GED Ready, the official practice test, predicts whether you would pass.
GED
Free GED Preview Tests and GED ReadyGED Testing Service- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Used by these careers and colleges
Careers on this site where BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry. A GED or HiSET credential counts as the equivalent.
Careers (20)
Show the 20 careers
- Farmer, Rancher & Agricultural ManagerBLS entry: High school diploma or equivalent
- PhotographerBLS entry: High school diploma or equivalent
- Insurance Sales AgentBLS entry: High school diploma or equivalent
- Real Estate AgentBLS entry: High school diploma or equivalent
- Property ManagerBLS entry: High school diploma or equivalent
- Bank TellerBLS entry: High school diploma or equivalent
- Bill & Account CollectorBLS entry: High school diploma or equivalent
- Home Health & Personal Care AideBLS entry: High school diploma or equivalent
- Pharmacy TechnicianBLS entry: High school diploma or equivalent
- Social & Human Service AssistantBLS entry: High school diploma or equivalent
- Food Service ManagerBLS entry: High school diploma or equivalent
- Chef & Head CookBLS entry: High school diploma or equivalent
- Travel AgentBLS entry: High school diploma or equivalent
- Lodging (Hotel) ManagerBLS entry: High school diploma or equivalent
- Secretary & Administrative AssistantBLS entry: High school diploma or equivalent
- Advertising Sales AgentBLS entry: High school diploma or equivalent
- Customer Service RepresentativeBLS entry: High school diploma or equivalent
- Police Officer & DetectiveBLS entry: High school diploma to a college degree, depending on the agency
- Correctional Officer & BailiffBLS entry: High school diploma or equivalent
- Transportation & Distribution ManagerBLS entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Next on this site
Sources
Where these facts come from
Official and primary sources only, each checked on the date shown. Rules on testing, aid, licensing and immigration change, so confirm a detail with its source before you rely on it.
- GED State Policies (price, age and rules by state) · GED Testing Service checked 2026-10-21
- GED in Texas: age, price and retake policies · GED Testing Service checked 2026-10-21
- GED in California: age, price and retake policies · GED Testing Service checked 2026-10-21
- GED in Illinois: age, price and retake policies · GED Testing Service checked 2026-10-21
- GED in Florida: age, price and retake policies · GED Testing Service checked 2026-10-21
- GED Test Subjects (times and formats) · GED Testing Service checked 2026-10-21
- GED Test Scores (145 to pass, College Ready levels) · GED Testing Service checked 2026-10-21
- GED in New York: age and price · GED Testing Service checked 2026-10-21
- Free GED Preview Tests and GED Ready · GED Testing Service checked 2026-10-21