GED Requirements | How to Get a GED
Curated Study Note | Subject: RLA Source: www.test-guide.com
Home > High School Equivalency > GED > GED Requirements: How to Get a GED The GED is a certification that can be obtained by individuals that shows the have high school-level academic skills in the United States or Canada. The certification is used as an alternative to a high school diploma. There are some GED requirements that must be met before taking and receiving the certification. We will review those requirements as well as how to get a GED in the article below. Summary: Learn the requirements for the GED as well as how to get a GED. If you want to begin practicing, visit our free GED test home. The GED is developed and administered by the General Education Development Testing Service (GEDTS). The GED is administered via a partnership between GEDTS and the local U.S. states, Canadian provinces, and various U.S. Territories. GEDTS develops the tests, sets the administration procedures, specifies minimum test requirements and passing standards. The local jurisdictions deliver the test and award the high school credential to adults who meet eligibility standards and pass the tests. Listed below are the requirements for the GED. These requirements are the bare minimum which are set by the GEDTS. Requirements may vary depending on the state in which you will be taking the exam. GED Requirements by State Each state has its own GED eligibility requirements. For example, some states may require a test-taker to be at least 18 years old before sitting for the GED exam. Review the table below for more information. In the past, you were only able to take the GED exam at an in-person testing site. However, now you can take the exam online (if your state allows it). More information on GED state pricing and rules . Recap of GED Requirements As mentioned above, each local jurisdiction (whether a state, territory or province) is allowed to set their own requirements for GED eligibility as long as they meet the GEDTS minimum standards (i.e., at least 16 years of age, not enrolled in high school and not a high school graduate). In practice the vast majority of the local regions have very similar requirements. For example, most states require a GED test taker to be 18 years of age. This rule is often intended to discourage students from dropping out of high school early. The reasoning is: if students feel that they can drop out of high school at 16 and easily get a GED, then more high school dropouts will occur. Most jurisdictions will argue that dropping out of high school will have an adverse impact on a students career prospects (as well as other social implications) so they do not want to do anything to encourage more high school drop outs. The other requirements for taking a GED are less controversial. All states, territories, and provinces do not allow current high school students or high school graduates to take the GED test. Local testing authorities will also require GED test takers to be a resident of the area that is administering the GED credential. Test takers will have to supply a valid form of ID, such as a current driver’s license, state issued ID, military ID or passport. GED test takers are also required to pay a testing fee. The fees will differ from state to state and can also vary by local testing center. Fees can range from 150 and are sometimes charged on an individual test basis (e.g., 100 for all 5 exams). #1 – Confirm Your State’s GED Requirements Every state has been authorized to set forth its own GED exam requirements. Some states allow for test-takers to be as young as 16 years old, while others require a 16-year-old to seek an age waiver or wait until they are 18 years old and no longer a minor. Every state’s GED requirements involve the following items: Age – confirm the state’s minimum age requirement. Residency Concerns – determine if your state has residency requirements. Photo ID mandates – determine what ID is acceptable. Preparation Course Requirements – determine your state’s prep course requirements. High School Enrollment Status – determine if your state has High School enrollment status requirements – i.e. must the test-taker be out of school for a specified time frame? As a reminder, it is prudent to confirm if your state even recognizes the GED credential. Please reference the table above for more information on these items. #2 – Prep for the GED Exam The GED is a four-section exam that is designed to reflect and assess the test-taker’s knowledge of high school-level concepts. These sections include: Mathematics Science Social Studies Language Arts Studying for the GED is critical to optimize your final GED test results. This sage advice is especially true for GED test-takers who have not been a student in a long time. However, the amount of time needed to prep for the exam will depend on the following: The student’s current knowledge of subjects that will be tested The amount of time the test-taker has been out of the classroom. Other things going on (job, children, etc..) As you prepare to take the GED, take advantage of the many online resources available. You can use our free GED practice questions to begin your studies.