Get a High School Equivalency (GED) Degree

Get a High School Equivalency (GED) Degree

Learn how to earn your GED diploma by understanding eligibility requirements, preparing for the tests, and taking the exams.

If you didn't complete your high school education the first time around, there is still a chance for you to earn an equivalent diploma known as a GED (General Educational Development). To get a GED, you must pass a series of five standardized tests—Social Studies, Science, Math, Language Arts - Reading, and Language Arts - Writing—containing questions and problems that graduating high school seniors would theoretically be able to answer or solve. To be eligible to take the tests, you must not currently be enrolled in high school, must never have graduated from high school, and must be at least 18 years old (16 in some states).

Here are some tips on how to get a GED:

1. Contact your local testing center and request an information packet. You can find a state-by-state listing of phone numbers and email addresses for administrators on the official GED website at http://www.gedtest.org. The packet you receive will contain detailed information about the structure of the tests, scoring methods, and the minimum scores needed to pass, helping you understand what to expect on test day.
2. Enroll in a preparation course online or buy a study guide. Unless you dropped out of high school relatively recently, your academic skills may be a bit rusty. A prep course or study guide will help you develop the skills needed to pass the test and teach you general test-taking strategies that come in handy if you get stuck.
3. Take a practice test. Practice tests are the best way to measure your readiness for the real exam. If you enroll in a preparation course, a practice test is likely included. Many study guides also contain sample tests and answer keys. If you do not have access to a sample test through these avenues, you can find free online versions.
4. Sign up to take the tests at your local testing center. GED tests are offered frequently throughout the year, providing plenty of scheduling flexibility. Because the total time required to complete all five tests is a bit over seven hours, most people opt to take different sections on different days. Once you pass a section, your score remains valid for three years, meaning you must finish the remaining sections within that timeframe or start over. Note that tests cannot be taken online at home.
5. Wait for your test results. It takes approximately two to three weeks to receive your scores, though this may vary depending on test volume. If you pass with at least a 60 percent overall score, congratulations! You now hold the equivalent of a high school diploma, opening doors to better jobs, higher earnings, and college. If you do not pass, don't give up: you can retake the test up to three times in a single calendar year.