You can prepare for the GED entirely online for free, and residents of about a dozen states can take the official GED test itself at no cost. The key distinction is that “getting your GED” involves two separate expenses: study materials and the exam fee. Free options exist for both, but they come from different sources and require some legwork to find.
Free GED Prep Classes and Study Materials
The most widely available free resources cover GED preparation, not the test itself. Adult education programs funded by your state or local government offer structured online classes at no charge. To find one near you, search for “adult education” or “GED classes” on your state’s department of education website, or visit the National Literacy Directory. Many community colleges and public libraries also run free GED prep programs, and a growing number deliver them entirely online with live instruction and tutoring.
Several nonprofit organizations offer self-paced online prep as well. Khan Academy covers the math and science content areas thoroughly. GED.com itself provides free study guides and practice questions for all four subject areas: Reasoning Through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Science, and Social Studies. The GED Testing Service also sells a paid “GED Ready” practice test for each subject (around $6 to $7 per subject), which you will eventually need before testing online, but the bulk of your studying can be done with free materials.
If you prefer a structured classroom experience from home, look for programs like those run through community colleges and nonprofits in your state. Some offer 10-week online courses that include personalized tutoring, practice tests, job readiness workshops, and support in both English and Spanish. Eligibility and residency requirements vary, so check what your state funds before enrolling in anything that charges tuition.
States That Cover the GED Test Fee
The GED exam normally costs about $36 per subject, or roughly $144 for all four. But several states subsidize or fully cover that cost for their residents. States currently offering free GED testing include Alaska, Connecticut, Kentucky, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. A handful of other states offer discounted pricing, including Arkansas, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Ohio.
Free or discounted testing often comes with conditions. You may need to be enrolled in an approved adult education program, meet an income threshold, or use a specific promo code when scheduling. Your local GED prep program or adult education center will know the exact eligibility rules for your state. Log into GED.com with your location to see the current price and any available discounts before you schedule.
How Online GED Testing Works
The GED can be taken online from home in most states, proctored through a live webcam. This is the same official, accredited exam you would take at a testing center. You schedule each subject separately through GED.com, and a remote proctor watches you via your webcam the entire time.
Before you can register for an online exam, you must pass the GED Ready practice test with a “green” (likely to pass) score in each subject you want to take. That practice test score is valid for 60 days, so plan your timing accordingly. You also need a computer with a working webcam and a reliable internet connection. Tablets, phones, and touchscreen laptops (using touch features) are not allowed.
On test day, log in 30 minutes before your appointment. You will verify your government-issued ID on camera and show the proctor your workspace. The room must be private, with four walls and a closed door. No one else can be in the room. You cannot have your phone, headphones, a watch, food, a physical calculator, or scratch paper within reach. The test provides an onscreen calculator, whiteboard, and scratch pad for math work. You can chat with the proctor through the platform, but they will not help with test content.
Cheating safeguards are strict. You are recorded throughout the session, cannot leave the webcam’s view, and cannot speak aloud or cover your mouth. Any attempt to have someone else take the test for you results in permanent loss of online testing privileges and possible revocation of all prior scores. You must also be physically located within the United States during the exam.
Employer Programs That Pay for Your GED
If you are currently employed, your company may cover GED prep and testing costs as a benefit. Several large national employers offer this. ManpowerGroup provides online prep courses, unlimited practice tests, and personal support to more than 30,000 workers at no cost. Taco Bell runs a GED program alongside its tuition discount and scholarship offerings. McDonald’s has helped tens of thousands of employees access education through its Archways to Opportunity program since 2015. Walmart offers a low-cost education benefit through its Live Better U program that includes high school completion.
Even if your employer is not on that list, ask your HR department. Many companies have tuition assistance or education reimbursement policies broad enough to cover GED testing fees, and some will reimburse prep materials too.
Avoid Fake “Free GED” Offers
No website can issue you a real GED credential. The GED is administered exclusively through the GED Testing Service (GED.com), and you must pass a proctored exam to earn it. Any site promising an instant GED diploma for a fee, or offering to “test” you without a webcam and ID verification, is selling a worthless document. Employers and colleges will not accept it.
The legitimate path always involves creating an account on GED.com, studying the four subject areas, and passing each proctored exam. The credential is then verified through GED.com, which is what schools and employers check.
Steps to Get Started Today
- Create a GED.com account. Enter your state to see local pricing, available discounts, and whether online testing is offered in your area.
- Find free local prep. Search your state’s adult education website or call 211 (a free referral service) to locate funded GED classes near you, including online options.
- Check for free testing. Ask your adult education program whether your state covers the exam fee, and what you need to qualify.
- Study all four subjects. Use free resources from Khan Academy, GED.com, and your local program. Plan for several weeks to a few months of study depending on your starting level.
- Take the GED Ready practice test. You need a “green” score in each subject before scheduling the online exam. This is a paid practice test (a few dollars per subject), but some prep programs cover the cost.
- Schedule and pass each exam. You can take the four subjects on different days. Once you pass all four, your state issues your high school equivalency credential.