The GED — General Educational Development — is a group of four subject tests that, when passed, demonstrate that the test-taker has academic skills equivalent to those of a U.S. high school graduate. The GED is the most widely recognized high school equivalency credential in the United States and is accepted by the large majority of employers, colleges and universities, vocational training programs, and branches of the U.S. military as equivalent to a traditional high school diploma.
The GED is designed for adults who did not complete high school and want to earn an equivalent credential that opens educational and career opportunities requiring a high school diploma or equivalent. It is also used by individuals who were educated outside the United States and need a recognized U.S. credential. The GED program is owned and administered by GED Testing Service (GEDTS), a joint venture of the American Council on Education (ACE) and Pearson, and tests are administered at authorized GED testing centers. Since 2014, the GED has been administered as a computer-based test.
The GED is composed of four separate subject tests: Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA), Science, and Social Studies. Each test is taken separately — you do not have to take all four on the same day. Each test must be passed individually; there is no single combined passing score. Passing all four tests completes the GED credential. Tests can be taken one at a time, allowing candidates to study and prepare for each subject individually and take them on a schedule that works for them.
The four GED subject tests cover the core academic content areas of a U.S. high school curriculum. Each test is distinct in content and structure, requiring separate preparation.
The GED Mathematical Reasoning test covers two main content areas: Quantitative Problem Solving (approximately 45% of the test) — working with numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, and basic arithmetic; and Algebraic Problem Solving (approximately 55% of the test) — linear equations and inequalities, graphing, polynomial operations, quadratic equations, and basic functions. The test includes two parts: Part 1 (five questions, no calculator allowed) and Part 2 (remaining questions, calculator allowed). The TI-30XS MultiView calculator is provided on-screen during Part 2. The math test is entirely calculator-prohibited for Part 1 and calculator-permitted for Part 2 — know how to operate the TI-30XS calculator before the test day.
The RLA test is divided into three sections with a 10-minute break between sections 2 and 3. The test covers: Reading Comprehension — identifying main ideas, making inferences, determining author's purpose and point of view, analyzing arguments, comparing texts; Extended Response (Essay) — a 45-minute writing task requiring candidates to read two source documents presenting different views on an issue and write an analytical essay arguing for one position based on evidence from the texts; and Language and Usage — grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, and word choice in the context of editing practical documents. The RLA essay is scored by trained human raters on a rubric evaluating Analysis of Arguments, Development of Ideas and Organizational Structure, and Clarity and Command of Standard English Conventions.
The GED Science test covers three content areas: Life Science (approximately 40% of the test) — cells, genetics, evolution, ecosystems, and human body systems; Physical Science (approximately 40%) — chemistry (atoms, chemical reactions, properties of substances) and physics (forces, energy, waves, electrical systems); and Earth and Space Science (approximately 20%) — Earth's systems, weather and climate, and basic astronomy. Science questions focus heavily on data analysis and reasoning — reading and interpreting graphs, tables, and scientific passages, and applying scientific reasoning to evaluate evidence and draw conclusions. Direct memorization of science facts is less important than the ability to interpret scientific information in context.
The GED Social Studies test covers: Civics and Government (approximately 50% of the test) — the structure of U.S. government, the Constitution, democratic principles, and political processes; United States History (approximately 20%) — key periods and events in American history; Economics (approximately 15%) — fundamental economic concepts, supply and demand, financial literacy; and Geography and the World (approximately 15%) — maps, global geography, and how geographic factors influence societies. Social Studies questions require reading comprehension of provided source documents (primary sources, maps, charts, political cartoons, and informational texts) rather than recall of facts.
Each GED subject test is scored on a scale from 100 to 200 points. Understanding the GED scoring levels helps you set preparation goals and interpret your practice test results.
GED scores are grouped into four performance levels: Below Passing (100–144) — the test was not passed; Passing (145–164) — the GED credential is earned; GED College Ready (165–174) — indicates skills suggesting readiness for college-level coursework, and some colleges exempt GED College Ready earners from remedial placement tests; GED College Ready + Credit (175–200) — the highest tier, indicating strong college readiness and allowing some colleges and states to grant college credit in the subject area. All four tests must be passed (scored 145 or above) to earn the GED credential. Tests with scores below 145 must be retaken.
Candidates who do not pass a GED subject test can retake it. The first two retakes can be scheduled at any time. Beginning with the third attempt, a 60-day waiting period is required between attempts. Candidates can take each test up to three times per year. Retake fees apply — test fees vary by state and testing center, typically ranging from $20 to $40 per subject test. Some states subsidize GED fees for eligible candidates — check your state's GED program for any available fee assistance.
GED scores earned since 2014 (the current computer-based GED version) do not expire — they remain valid permanently. Scores earned on earlier versions of the GED (pre-2014) do not transfer to the current version. If you passed some but not all tests of an older GED version, you must pass all four tests of the current GED version to earn the credential.
The GED credential is widely accepted and recognized as equivalent to a high school diploma for most purposes in the United States. Earning a GED creates opportunities that were previously unavailable to adults without a high school credential.
Most employers that require a high school diploma or equivalent will accept the GED. The GED expands job application eligibility to positions that were previously inaccessible to individuals without a diploma. Certain federal government jobs, law enforcement positions, and military enlistment also accept the GED, though specific branches and positions may have additional requirements. The GED credential does not limit career advancement — it establishes the baseline equivalent to a high school diploma and allows candidates to compete on the strength of their skills and experience.
The vast majority of U.S. colleges and universities accept the GED as satisfying the high school diploma requirement for admission. Community colleges, vocational schools, technical programs, trade schools, and most four-year colleges accept GED credentials. Some highly selective universities review applications from GED recipients on a case-by-case basis. GED earners who score at the College Ready level (165+) may be exempt from remedial coursework placement testing at participating institutions. Financial aid — including Pell Grants and federal student loans — is available to GED recipients enrolled in eligible colleges, just as it is for traditional high school graduates.
All branches of the U.S. military accept the GED for enlistment, though requirements vary by branch. Most branches place GED enlistees in a higher testing category tier that may have lower enlistment bonuses or restricted job specialty availability compared to traditional high school diploma holders — specific policies change and should be verified with a military recruiter.
GED preparation is most effective when targeted at your specific knowledge gaps and at the exact format of each subject test. A diagnostic assessment followed by systematic preparation produces better results than general studying.
GED Testing Service offers free preparation at GED.com — including the GED Ready official practice test (paid), free study resources, and the MyGED account that tracks your preparation progress. Khan Academy provides free, comprehensive coverage of all GED math content and many RLA and Science topics. The GED Ready practice test — an abbreviated official practice test available for about $6 per subject — provides a score prediction and indicators of whether you are likely to pass, giving you a useful benchmark before test day. Free GED practice tests are also widely available from libraries, adult education centers, and community literacy programs.
Free or low-cost GED preparation classes are available through adult education programs in virtually every U.S. county — funded under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). These programs are typically offered through community colleges, libraries, adult learning centers, and community organizations. In-person GED prep classes provide structure, a qualified instructor, and peer learning that self-study does not offer. Contact your local library, community college, or search for 'adult education' through your county government to find free GED classes in your area.
For Mathematical Reasoning: practice arithmetic, fractions, percentages, and basic algebra daily; learn to use the TI-30XS MultiView calculator efficiently for Part 2. For RLA: practice writing analytical essays with a clear thesis and evidence from source texts; review grammar conventions (punctuation, sentence structure, subject-verb agreement). For Science: focus on reading and interpreting graphs, tables, and experimental data — content knowledge is less critical than reasoning from evidence. For Social Studies: practice reading primary source documents, political cartoons, maps, and charts — the ability to draw conclusions from provided sources is more heavily tested than historical fact memorization.