GED: Frequently asked questions |
How old do I have to be to take the tests?In general, you must be 18 years old and out of school to take the GED. Students 16-17 years old are required to enroll in a GED Prep program and pass the Official Practice Test (OPT). When students achieve passing scores on the OPT, the GED teacher will request that an Age Waiver form be completed prior to registering for the GED Tests Age Waiver form for 16-17 year olds. Do I have to be a resident of Florida?No, you do not have to be a Florida resident to take the GED tests. What documents do I need to register and take the GED tests?You must provide one of the following documents when you register and take the GED tests.
The ID used must have a valid date, and the picture must be clear and up to date. How can I practice and study for the tests?There are many study and practice options available, including classes in your area, online classes, and even television programs. There are no classes near me. What can I do?There are other ways to prepare for your GED. Call the Florida GED Helpline at 1-850-245-9000 or contact the Palm Beach County GED Testing Center (561) 640-5074. What are some test-taking tips?There are some things you can do to improve your test-taking skills. PBS LiteracyLink has some great test-taking tips to improve your chances. What subjects does the GED cover?The GED is a series of five tests with questions covering reading, writing, mathematics, social studies, and science.
Language Arts - Reading
(40 items) Language Arts - Writing includes two parts (50 items + essay)
Mathematics
(50 items) Beginning in 2002, the GED Mathematics Test is presented in two booklets: Part I permits the use of a calculator, Part II does not. Each part of the test is equally weighted. Therefore, a candidate must complete both parts of the test to receive a score. If a candidate doesn’t successfully complete both parts of the test, he or she will have to take both parts again. A scientific calculator is provided to the candidate for use on Part 1.
Science
(50 items) Half (50 percent) of the new GED Science Test are conceptual understanding questions; the remaining 50 percent are problem-solving questions. Test questions with graphic content have increased from 30 percent to 50 percent. The test includes questions about Life Science and Physical Science
Social Studies
(50 items) The source materials for topic areas are:
What must I score to pass the tests?Candidates
need a standard score of 410 in order to pass each of the
individual GED tests and 2250 on the full five-test
battery (which is equal to an overall average score of 450). Each correct answer is worth one point. For each individual
GED test, these points are totaled and then converted to
a standard score, which ranges from 200 to 800.
To receive a 410 standard score
on an individual GED test, candidates generally need to
answer 60 to 65 percent of the questions correctly. For
more details, see this
sample score report.
(Requires
Where can I go to take the GED tests?Click here to find a testing center near you. You will also find information about GED testing at the Adult Education Center website. How much does it cost to take the GED tests?
The complete battery of
GED tests costs $70.00. The cost for individual tests
is as follows:
How long is the test?The official GED tests take approximately seven hours to complete. Most test centers give the test over a period of 3 mornings or evenings. Some locations do provide the test in 2 days. Language Arts - Reading: 1 hour, 5 minutes Language Arts - Writing: 2 hours - (75 minutes for multiple choice, 45 minutes for the essay) Mathematics: 1 hour, 30 minutes Science:1 hour, 20 minutes Social Studies: 1 hour, 10 minutes Can the GED tests scores be used for college admission or to enter the military?Nearly all United States colleges and universities accept the State of Florida High School Diploma as a high school equivalency credential. GED tests can not be used as a substitute for placement or admissions tests. The Commission on Educational Credit and Credentials recommends that postsecondary institution officials, employers, training program officials, licensing boards and all branches of the armed services accept the high school credential awarded on the basis of the results of the GED tests in the same manner as they accept regular high school diplomas. GED candidates may apply for the military. Check with your local recruiter for more information. Grade point averages cannot be determined from GED test scores. However, GED percentile ranks can be viewed as approximately “class rank;” GED percentile rankings represent the GED graduate's performance related to the performance on the GED Tests of a representative group of graduating high school seniors. Check with your College or University Admissions Office for additional requirements. I have some disabilities. Can I get help taking the tests?Yes. Candidates with physical, emotional, or specific learning disabilities may be provided with special testing accommodations. Individuals seeking special accommodations must complete a request form and provide information from a physician or licensed professional. Special accommodation requests are forwarded to the Florida Department of Education where consideration will be determined. This process may take up to 8 weeks. To determine if you’re eligible for special test conditions and to obtain the necessary forms, contact Marsha Cohn at (561) 649-6020. What do my test scores mean?A counselor at the Florida GED Helpline (850) 245-9000 or at the Palm Beach Testing Center (561) 640-5074 can discuss your scores with you and help you understand what your test results mean. I didn’t pass the tests. Now what?You can have other chances to pass the tests. A counselor at the Florida GED Helpline at (850) 245-9000 can help you decide how to best prepare and retake the tests. I lost my transcripts/certificate. What should I do?Call the Florida GED Helpline (850) 245-9000. How long do I have to wait for my test results?It takes approximately 4 – 6 weeks to receive your test results in the mail. How do I get my State of Florida High School Diploma?If you passed all the subtests, you pick up your diploma at the school where you registered for the GED tests.
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