GED Online 2026: Best Online GED Courses and Study Options

Can You Get Your GED Online?

Yes — and online GED preparation has become the most common way adults study for the GED. GED.com, the official testing website operated by GED Testing Service, offers online practice tests, study materials, and in most jurisdictions, online proctored testing that lets you take the actual GED exam from home without going to a testing center. This flexibility has made the GED more accessible than ever for working adults, parents, and people with transportation or scheduling barriers.

However, there is an important distinction: you can study for the GED entirely online, but whether you can take the official GED test online depends on your state. As of 2025, online proctored GED testing (called GED at-home) is available in many but not all U.S. states. Some states require test-takers to appear at an in-person testing center. Check GED.com for your state's current testing options before assuming you can test from home.

The GED consists of four separate subject tests — Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA), Social Studies, and Science — that you can take one at a time or in any combination. You do not need to take all four on the same day. This modular format works well with online study because you can focus your preparation on one subject, test, and then move to the next. Most adults complete all four GED subjects within three to twelve months, depending on how much time they can dedicate to study.

Free GED Study Resources Online

Several high-quality GED preparation resources are available for free online. Using these wisely can eliminate the need for paid prep programs for most candidates.

GED.com Free Resources

GED.com is the official source for GED preparation materials. The site offers free study materials for all four subject tests under the GED Study Guide section, a free diagnostic test (GED Ready — a shorter version available for purchase, with some content free) to help identify which subjects you are ready to test in, and free access to the GED Flash app for mobile studying. Creating a free account at GED.com gives you access to the official study guides and tracks your progress across all four subjects.

Khan Academy

Khan Academy (khanacademy.org) provides free, comprehensive academic content that covers nearly all GED subject matter. For Mathematical Reasoning, Khan Academy's algebra and data/statistics units cover the GED's math content thoroughly. For Science and Social Studies, Khan Academy covers the underlying content areas — biology, chemistry, earth science, U.S. history, civics — that GED passages are drawn from. Khan Academy is strongest for math; it is less explicitly GED-aligned for RLA and Social Studies.

GED.com Practice Tests and Official Preparation

The most valuable paid resource is GED Ready — official short practice tests ($6 per subject) available through GED.com. These are the only official practice tests that can tell you whether you are 'Likely to Pass' the GED based on your score. A 'Likely to Pass' result on GED Ready is a reliable indicator that you are ready to schedule your actual GED test. Using free resources for content study and GED Ready for final readiness assessment is an efficient low-cost approach.

Free Practice Tests

PracticeTestGeeks offers free GED practice tests for all four subject areas. These tests help identify knowledge gaps and build familiarity with question formats before your test date. Free practice tests are best used to supplement content study, not replace it — after practicing on questions you miss, trace those topics back to your study materials and reinforce your understanding of the underlying content.

Paid Online GED Programs

For candidates who want structured, guided preparation with accountability and instructor support, several paid online GED programs offer strong preparation at varying price points.

GED.com Study Plan (Official)

GED.com offers a paid study plan with expanded practice question sets, video lessons, and personalized study recommendations. The official preparation is directly aligned with actual GED content and question styles, making it the most relevant paid resource available. Pricing varies by subscription length — check GED.com for current rates.

Kaplan GED Test Prep

Kaplan offers GED preparation through its online platform, including video lessons, practice tests, and on-demand study materials for all four subjects. Kaplan's GED prep is well-structured for self-paced learners. It includes full-length practice tests with detailed scoring breakdowns, helping you identify which specific GED objectives you still need to master before testing.

Mometrix GED Study Guide

Mometrix publishes both a comprehensive GED study guide book and an online preparation platform. The Mometrix GED preparation materials are known for clear explanations and a logical content progression. Both digital and physical formats are available, making Mometrix a good option for candidates who prefer reading to watching videos.

Adult Education Centers and Community Colleges

Many community colleges and adult education centers offer free or low-cost GED preparation classes — sometimes funded by state adult education programs. These in-person or hybrid options provide structured class time, instructor feedback, and peer support that self-paced online programs do not. If you struggle with self-direction or need specific subject support (especially in math), a structured program may be worth more than premium online prep materials. Search for 'adult education GED classes' or 'GED prep near me' through your state's department of education to find local programs.

Online GED Testing: What You Need to Know

GED at-home testing (online proctored testing) is available in many states, allowing you to take the official GED from your home computer instead of traveling to a testing center. This option has specific technical and environmental requirements.

Technical Requirements

To test at home with online proctoring, you need: a Windows PC or Mac (Chromebooks and tablets are not supported); a working webcam and microphone; a reliable internet connection (minimum 0.5 Mbps upload, 1 Mbps download recommended for stability); the ProctorU or Examity proctoring software installed in advance; and a private, quiet room where you will not be interrupted. During the exam, a live remote proctor monitors you through your webcam and prohibits unauthorized materials. You must show your testing space via webcam before the exam begins.

ID Requirements

For at-home testing, you need a valid government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, state ID, or passport. The ID must not be expired. Your name on the ID must match your GED.com account name exactly. If names do not match, your test session will not begin.

Scheduling

Schedule GED tests through GED.com. You can schedule individual subjects on different days, which allows you to focus your preparation and spread the cost over time. Testing is available most days and times, including evenings and weekends, giving flexibility to working adults. After passing a subject test, your score is valid permanently — you do not need to retest passed subjects if you fail another subject.

States Where At-Home Testing Is Available

GED at-home testing availability changes periodically. As of 2025, online testing is available in most states, but some states require in-person testing. Check GED.com specifically for your state's options, as state-by-state availability can change. Some states have their own high school equivalency programs (such as TASC or HiSET) rather than the GED — verify which credential your state offers before preparing for the GED specifically.

Online GED Study Plan

A self-paced online GED study plan works well when you commit to consistent daily or weekly study sessions. Here is a framework that uses primarily free resources:

Step 1: Assess Your Starting Point

Take a full-length GED practice test for each subject before studying. These baseline scores tell you which subjects need the most work and which you may already be close to passing. If you score above 140 on a practice test, you may be ready to take the official GED Ready assessment for that subject. If you score significantly lower, allocate more study time to that subject.

Step 2: Subject-by-Subject Study

Study one subject at a time rather than rotating through all four simultaneously. Most adults find that focused, sequential study produces faster progress than distributed practice. Start with your strongest subject — passing it quickly builds momentum and reduces the cost of your first test. Address your weakest subject last, after you have built study habits and confidence on easier subjects.

Step 3: Take GED Ready Before Scheduling

Before scheduling and paying for the official GED test on any subject, take the GED Ready practice test ($6 per subject through GED.com) and confirm a 'Likely to Pass' result. This small investment prevents the cost and disappointment of scheduling a test before you are truly ready. Candidates who test 'Likely to Pass' on GED Ready pass the actual GED at very high rates.