GED Test

What Is the GED Test and Who Can Take It

The GED test is a set of four subject exams that, once passed, earn you a high school equivalency credential accepted by employers, colleges and the military. It is developed by GED Testing Service, but each state decides who can take it, what it costs and what the credential is called.

The basic GED practice test requirements are simple: you must not have a high school diploma and not be enrolled in high school. Most states set a minimum age of 18, with exceptions for younger candidates. You also need to live in, or meet the residency rule of, the state where you test.

If you are weighing your options, our high school equivalency test overview compares the GED with the HiSET exam, which some states offer instead of or alongside the GED.

Can 16 Year Olds Take the GED

In many states, yes — but only with extra conditions. Sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds usually need an official withdrawal from school, parent or guardian consent, or approval from a school district or adult education program. A few states do not allow testing under 18 at all.

Rules change, so check the age policy for your state on ged.com before you register. A GED practice test for 16 year olds is the same as for adults, because the exam itself does not change by age.

Taking the GED in Spanish

The GED test is available in Spanish in the US, with the same four subjects and the same passing score. Spanish-language GED Ready practice tests are also available. If you want a GED practice test in Spanish, look for one that matches the current test format rather than translated older materials.

Spanish testing availability can depend on your state and test center, and online testing in Spanish may differ from in-person options. Confirm availability when you schedule.

GED Test Format and Subjects

The GED has four separate subject tests, all taken on a computer. You can take them one at a time, in any order and on different days, which lets you focus on one subject, pass it and move on. The total testing time for all four is 425 minutes.

Question types go beyond plain multiple choice. Expect drag-and-drop, drop-down, fill-in-the-blank and hot-spot items where you click part of a graph or image.

Mathematical Reasoning

The Math test checks quantitative problem solving (fractions, percentages, ratios, data and statistics) and algebraic problem solving (expressions, equations, inequalities, functions and graphs). Basic geometry such as area, volume and the Pythagorean theorem is included. You get an on-screen calculator and a formula sheet for most of the test, but a short opening part must be done without a calculator.

GED practice test math questions are where most candidates gain the most points, so plan the most study time here.

Reasoning Through Language Arts

Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) combines reading and writing. You read fiction and nonfiction passages and answer questions on main ideas, inferences and arguments, and you edit text for grammar, usage and punctuation. The 45-minute extended response asks you to read two passages that take opposing positions and write an essay explaining which argument is better supported.

A good GED practice test for language arts includes both passage questions and editing questions. Practise the essay separately with a timer.

Science

The Science test covers life science, physical science, and Earth and space science. It focuses on reasoning rather than memorization: reading charts and data tables, understanding experiments and drawing conclusions from evidence. Basic science knowledge helps, but most answers come from the information given.

Social Studies

The Social Studies test centers on civics and government, with US history, economics and geography also covered. Questions often use a historical document, map, political cartoon or graph. A GED practice test for social studies should train you to read these sources quickly and spot the main point.

Students who want a history GED practice test should focus on founding documents and major eras of US history, since those sources appear often.

GED Time Limits and How Long Each Test Takes

The GED time limits are 115 minutes for Math, 150 minutes for RLA, 90 minutes for Science and 70 minutes for Social Studies. Some subjects include short breaks; check your appointment details for the exact schedule.

Time pressure is real on RLA and Math. Take timed practice sets so you learn to move on from a hard question instead of losing minutes on it.

GED Scoring and Passing Score

Each GED subject is scored on a scale of 100 to 200, and the passing score is 145 on every subject. Scores cannot be averaged: a 170 in Science does not make up for a 140 in Math. You must reach 145 on all four tests to earn your credential.

Because the score is scaled, there is no fixed number of questions you can miss. Different test forms are equated so that 145 means the same level of skill on each one. Scores usually appear in your GED account soon after you finish each subject.

GED Score Chart

GED Testing Service reports four performance levels. This score chart shows what each range means:

GED Registration, Fees and the Official Practice Test

You register for the GED by creating an account on ged.com, choosing a subject and booking a test center or online appointment. You can schedule subjects one at a time and pay per subject.

Fees are set by each state, and some states subsidize testing or offer free retakes, so check the price for your state in your GED account. Many adult education centers can also help with the cost.

The official GED practice test, GED Ready, is sold through the same account. It is a shorter version of each subject test that predicts whether you are likely to pass. A “green” (likely to pass) GED Ready score from the last 60 days is required before you can take the GED online at home, and it is a good final check before any test date.

Can You Take the GED Online?

Yes, you can take the GED online at home in states that offer online testing, but first you must score green on the GED Ready practice test within the last 60 days, according to GED Testing Service. The rule applies to each subject separately, so you need a green GED Ready result in every subject you want to test online. If you prefer, you can still book any subject at a test center.

How to Prepare for the GED Test

Good GED practice test prep starts with a diagnostic, focuses on the weakest subject first and ends with timed practice. Because subjects can be booked separately, many candidates pass one subject at a time, which keeps study focused and builds confidence.

1. Take a full practice set in each subject to find your starting point.
2. Pick the subject you are closest to passing and book it first.
3. Study that subject for two to four weeks, with short practice sets most days.
4. Take a timed practice set, then the official GED Ready test for that subject.
5. Test, then repeat the cycle for the next subject.

Map your weeks in the study planner and keep your test dates in front of you with the exam countdown.

Start With a Free Online GED Practice Test

A free online GED practice test is the fastest way to see where you stand. Our free GED practice test draws questions at random from all four subjects and shows a section breakdown, so you can see in one session whether Math, RLA, Science or Social Studies needs the most work. Every question comes with the correct answer and an explanation.

GED Practice Test Books and Study Guides

A GED practice test book is useful for structured review, especially for Math and the RLA essay. Choose a recent edition written for the current four-subject test, and make sure it includes full answer explanations. Pair the book with online practice, which gives you instant scoring and new questions each time.

Turn formulas, key vocabulary and civics terms into a deck to make flashcards online and review them for ten minutes a day.

How Long to Study for the GED

How long to study for the GED depends on your starting point. Someone who left school recently may need a few weeks per subject, while someone returning after many years may need several months in total, especially for Math. Your first practice scores are the best guide.

For more methods that work, read our guide on how to study for a test.

Test Day Checklist: Test Center or at Home

On test day you can sit the GED at an official test center or take it online at home where your state allows it. Whichever you choose, prepare the night before:

• Bring a valid government-issued photo ID that matches the name on your GED account.
• Check your appointment time and arrive early at the test center, or log in early for an online test.
• For an online GED at home, have a recent green GED Ready score, a computer with a webcam, a reliable internet connection and a private room with a clear desk.
• Expect a room scan and a proctor watching on camera when testing at home; phones and notes are not allowed.
• At a test center, store your belongings in a locker; you will receive the materials you are allowed to use.
• Eat beforehand and know when breaks occur, especially for the 150-minute RLA test.

GED Test FAQ

What Are the 5 Tests for GED?

The current GED has four subject tests, not five: Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Science and Social Studies. The older 2002 GED split reading and writing into separate tests, which is why many people still talk about five GED tests. HiSET, the other high school equivalency exam, does have five subtests.

Is 170 a Good GED Score?

Yes. A 170 is above the 145 passing score and falls in the GED College Ready range of 165 to 174, which GED Testing Service says shows you are ready for college-level courses in that subject. Scores of 175 and above reach College Ready + Credit, which may qualify you for up to 10 college credit hours.

Is the GED Practice Test Hard?

A good GED practice test should feel about as hard as the real exam, because its job is to show where you stand. Most people find Math and the Language Arts essay the hardest parts. If you score well above the readiness benchmark on several practice sets, the real test is unlikely to surprise you.

Is There a GED Practice Test?

Yes. GED Testing Service sells the official GED Ready practice test, which predicts whether you are likely to pass each subject and is required before testing online. Free practice tests, including ours, are useful for daily study because you can take them as often as you like and review an explanation for every answer.

Is There a Free GED Practice Test?

Yes. Our free GED practice test covers all four subjects with original questions, answers explained and a section breakdown, with no account needed. Use it for regular practice, then take the official GED Ready test shortly before you book, especially if you plan to test online at home.

How Many Questions Are on the GED Practice Test?

It depends on the practice test. Ours lets you choose 10 questions, a 30-question set or the full bank of 89 questions across all four subjects. The number of questions on the real GED varies by subject and test form, and GED Testing Service publishes the details for each subject on ged.com.