Seven Commonly Asked Questions about the GED Tests

1. Who can take the GED Tests? Adults who meet the eligibility requirements established by their state, territorial, or provincial departments of education can take the GED tests. Some states also have provisions for youth under the age of 18 but it varies from state to state.

2. Where are the GED tests given? GED tests are given at official testing centers. You cannot take the GED online. The address of your state, territorial, or provincial administrator can be obtained from your local high school. Write to that office for the location of the GED testing center nearest your home.

3. What score is required to earn a High School Equivalency Diploma? The standard score requirements vary for each state, territory, or province. You will find that in some states a candidate must earn a minimum score of 40 on each of the five test areas or a minimum average score of 45 for each of the five tests. The majority of states require a minimum average score of 45 and no individual test score below 35 or 40.

4. What types of questions are on the GED tests? Part II of the Writing Skills test requires a written essay. For the other test questions, you will be given information in the form of a written passage, graph, diagram, map, or table, and asked to answer on or more multiple-choice questions based on the information presented. Five answer choices are given for each question.

5. How can experience outside the classroom help me pass the GED tests? Many people worry about the difficulty of taking the GED Examination, especially if they’ve been out of school for a long time. What you should realize is that learning continues after you leave school You read newspapers and follow political events; you travel and talk to many different people; you listen to the radio, watch television, and go to the movies. All of these experiences are forms of learning and add to your educational background.

6. Why are maturity and motivation strong assets? More mature students have experiences that will help them visualize or understand situations that may be involved in a problem on the GED Examination. Also, older students understand the need for good study habits and have the self-discipline to work regularly toward accomplishing their goals. With the mature decision to study for the GED tests, half the battle is over. Many educators know that motivation, the desire to learn, is the first step toward success.

7. When are you ready to take the GED Examination? After reviewing and doing practice exercises, take a practice test. Most practice tests are scored similar to the GED so you will be able to see if your score on your practice test is good enough that you would be able to pass the real thing. If your score on your practice test is not so great, do not apply for the GED Examination until you have studied further. Concentrate on the areas in which you are weak.