Short Answer: The GED, General Educational Diploma, is for those without a High School Diploma. Study and take a battery of tests to certify your aptitude, knowledge and skills. It is designed for those that never finished high school. Find a local test center near you. The GED, which stands for General Educational Development but is also referred to as a General Education Diploma, is a set of tests that when passed certify the test taker (American or Canadian) has met high-school level academic skills.
More Details: More than 17 million people have received a GED Credential since the program began in 1943. Only those who have not earned a high school diploma may take the GED tests. The GED Tests include five subject area tests: Language Arts/Writing, Language Arts/Reading, Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics. In addition to English, the GED tests are available in Spanish, French, large print, audiocassette and Braille. The GED credential itself is issued by the state, province or territory in which the test taker lives. Many government institutions and universities regard the GED as the same as a high school diploma with respect to program eligibility and as a prerequisite for admissions.
To take the GED Tests, you must be at least 16 years of age. To sign up to take the GED Tests, go in person to a GED Testing Center.
To Find a GED Test Center near you, click here. At the testing center, you will need to fill out an application, show proof of age, and show proof of residency. You do not have to take all the tests at once. You can take them over three years.The tests were developed by subject matter specialists, as well as adult and secondary educators. The tests correspond to high school curricula. They provide a uniform measure of high school achievement and are used to certify high school-level knowledge and skills. All U.S. States and Canadian Provinces issue their jurisdiction’s high school credential to candidates passing the tests.
The GED Testing Program is used to certify high school-level knowledge and skills, and allows adults to prove what they know. The test provides a uniform measure of high school achievement, and is nationally recognized as a measure of high school knowledge and skills. Upon passing the GED Tests, examinees receive a State High School Diploma. The GED Tests measure communication, information-processing, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills in five content areas: reading, writing (including an essay on an assigned topic), mathematics, science, and social studies. The complete test battery lasts 7 ½ hours. The tests are rigorous; GED candidates must meet or exceed the performance of the top 60% of graduating high school seniors. This means that four out of 10 traditional high school graduates could not pass the GED Tests. The GED Testing program is jointly administered by the GED Testing Service of the American Council on Education and each participating state's Department of Education. There are approximately 3,500 official GED Testing Centers in the United States, Canada and overseas. For adults who have not earned a high school credential, passing the GED tests can be a first step toward a better future.
The GED high school credential is accepted by more than 95% of U.S. employers, colleges and universities. Passing the GED Tests can mean a better job, further training or a pathway to higher education. Achieving the goal to earn a high school diploma can also improve an individual’s self-image. If you are planning to take the GED Tests, you are not alone. About 800,000 adults worldwide take the GED Tests annually (at least one of the five tests). Almost 500,000 earned their jurisdiction’s high school diploma by passing the GED Tests. 69% of the completers passed the GED test battery.
According to the
American Council on Education, about one in seven high school diplomas issued in the United States each year is based on passing the GED Tests. For additional information on the GED Tests, please visit our frequently asked questions and examinee resources sections. You may also visit GED testing service at General Educational Development Testing Services official site. If you believe you may have a disability that could keep you from taking the GED Tests in the usual way, you may be able to receive reasonable testing accommodations.
To Request GED Transcript, click here.
To Find a GED Test Center near you, click here.
Visit our interactive map to find more education resources in your state, including GED resources.
Advisory – Beware of Misleading Diploma Claims. There is no online testing for the official GED Tests. They can only be taken at an official GED test site. Beware of “official looking” GED Web sites offering the opportunity to take the GED Tests online and receive a diploma. There are many diploma mills that operate without supervision of a state or professional agencies. They grant diplomas which are either fraudulent or lack acceptable national or state standards, and you will receive nothing of real value in return for your money. There are legitimate high school diploma programs online. However, you cannot just pay a fee and get a diploma - it takes real work. You can take online distance learning courses covering the test areas to prepare for the tests.