A GED, which stands for General Educational Development, is a set of four tests that measures the same academic skills taught in a standard high school curriculum. Passing all four tests earns you a high school equivalency credential, which is widely accepted as the equivalent of a traditional diploma. About 98% of U.S. colleges and employers treat a GED credential the same as a high school diploma for admissions and hiring purposes.
The GED exists for people who didn’t finish high school through the traditional path. Whether you left school early, were homeschooled without a formal diploma, or simply need a recognized credential later in life, the GED provides a standardized way to demonstrate that you have high school level knowledge.
What the GED Tests Cover
The GED is divided into four subject tests, each taken separately on a computer:
- Reasoning Through Language Arts: 150 minutes. This is the longest section and includes reading comprehension, grammar, and a 45-minute written essay. You’ll read passages and answer questions about them, then write an essay analyzing a pair of texts. There are 51 questions total plus the essay.
- Mathematical Reasoning: 115 minutes. Covers arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and basic data analysis across 46 questions. You’re allowed to use a TI-30XS scientific calculator for most of the test, though one portion is calculator-free.
- Science: 90 minutes, 34 questions. Tests your ability to read scientific data, understand experiments, and apply reasoning to topics like life science, physical science, and earth science.
- Social Studies: 70 minutes, 35 questions. Covers U.S. history, civics and government, economics, and geography. Questions are based on reading passages, charts, and graphs rather than memorized facts.
Each subject is scored on a scale of 100 to 200. You need at least 145 on each test to pass. You don’t have to take all four on the same day. Most people schedule them individually and tackle one subject at a time, which makes preparation more manageable.
Who Can Take the GED
You generally must be at least 18 years old and not currently enrolled in high school. If you’re 16 or 17, most states still allow you to test, but you’ll typically need to show proof that you’ve officially withdrawn from school and provide signed parental permission. Some states also require younger test-takers to pass a practice exam first to demonstrate readiness.
The key rule: you cannot be actively enrolled in a high school program and take the GED at the same time. The credential is designed as an alternative for people who are no longer on the traditional graduation track.
How It Differs From a Diploma
A high school diploma means you completed a full course of study at a school over several years, earning credits in required subjects. A GED credential means you passed a set of standardized tests proving you have equivalent knowledge. The academic content overlaps significantly, but the paths are very different.
For most practical purposes, the two are interchangeable. You can use a GED to apply to community colleges, four-year universities, trade programs, and the military. Employers hiring for positions that require a high school education will almost always accept it. The small percentage of institutions that don’t accept the GED are rare enough that most people never encounter them.
That said, some competitive college admissions offices or military branches may weigh a GED differently than a diploma, particularly if you’re applying without additional credentials like college coursework or strong test scores. For the vast majority of jobs and schools, though, a GED opens the same doors.
How to Prepare and Register
The GED is administered through the official GED Testing Service at ged.com. You create a free account, choose a testing location or online proctored option, and schedule each subject test individually. Testing fees vary by state, so you’ll see pricing specific to your location when you set up your account. Some states subsidize the cost partially or fully.
Free and low-cost preparation resources are widely available. Many community colleges and adult education centers offer GED prep classes at no charge. The official GED website has practice tests that let you gauge your readiness before paying for the real exam. If you don’t pass a subject on your first attempt, you can retake it, though some states require a waiting period between attempts.
Study timelines vary widely. Someone who left school in 11th grade might need a few weeks of review, while someone who has been out of school for years might benefit from several months of structured prep. Starting with a practice test is the fastest way to figure out where you stand and which subjects need the most attention.
The HiSET: An Alternative Option
The GED isn’t the only high school equivalency test. The HiSET is another option accepted in several states. It covers the same five subject areas (language arts is split into separate reading and writing tests) and can be taken on paper or computer, which some people prefer. The HiSET uses a scoring scale of 0 to 20 per subject, with a minimum score of 8 on each test and a combined total of 45 needed to pass.
Not every state offers both tests, so your location determines which options are available to you. Check with your state’s department of education to see which equivalency exams are accepted where you live. Regardless of which test you take, the resulting credential serves the same purpose: official proof that you have the academic skills of a high school graduate.