The GED Exam
Table of Contents
Click any of the links below to navigate to that section of this page.
- About the GED® Exam
- Pass the GED® Exam
- Schedule and Prepare for the GED® Exam
- Take the GED® Exam Outside Scheduled Hours
- GED® Exam Requirements
- Obtain a Copy of Your Diploma or Transcript
- Disability Accommodations
About the GED® Exam
The GED® exam is a national high school equivalency assessment that allows adults to show the same academic knowledge and skills as high school graduates and pursue postsecondary opportunities and expand their career paths. This exam is administered by GED Testing Service LLC and is aligned with the College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Adult Education used in our adult education classrooms. This exam assesses knowledge and skills in four subject areas:
- Reasoning Through Language Arts
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Science
- Social Studies
Test items are reviewed yearly by expert analysts to assure that each item is valid, accurate, and continues to reflect the College-and Career-Readiness Standards for Adult Education. The GED® exam is available in English and Spanish. The four sections take approximately seven and a half hours to complete and may be taken separately on different days (depending on the testing center’s schedule).
Passing the GED®, TASC™, and HiSET® will be combined for the 2014 series of these tests via our vendor, DiplomaSender, and their Total Transcript program. The HiSET® and TASC High School Equivalency scores will be combined indefinitely.
Passing the GED® Exam
Each subject test is scored on a scale of 100-200. A credential is awarded once the student has achieved a minimum passing score of at least 145 on each of the four subjects. Although there is no separate essay score, the written essay (Extended Response) comprises 20% of the Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) score.
GED® Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA)
The RLA test measures your ability to read closely, write clearly, edit and understand written English; to understand, interpret, and answer questions based on text; use evidence to support an argument; and show an understanding of basic English skills at a level needed to succeed in college or a job. Reading passages are 75% informational and 25% literary and range in length from approximately 400 to 900 words.
- There is a limit of 150 minutes to complete the multiple choice and other question types (drag and drop, select and area, and dropdown) and the extended response.
GED® Mathematical Reasoning
The Mathematical Reasoning test measures your algebraic-solving abilities (55%) and quantitative problem-solving abilities (45%). A calculator guide and math formula sheet are provided.
You will have 115 minutes to complete the multiple choice and other question types (drag and drop, fill in the blank, select and area, and dropdown).
GED® Science
The Science test measures your scientific reasoning skills in reading and writing in science (30%), science concepts (40%), and mathematical reasoning in science (30%). These skills apply to real-world situations in the context of life science (40%), physical science (40%), and earth & space (20%). A calculator is available in this section.
You will have 90 minutes to complete the multiple choice and other question types (drag and drop, fill in the blank, select and area, and dropdown).
GED® Social Studies
The Social Studies test measures your reasoning skills in reading and writing in social studies (33%), social studies concepts (33%), and mathematical reasoning in social studies (33%). These skills focus on real-world situations in the context of civics & government (50%), US history (20%), economics (15%), and geography (15%). A calculator is available for this section.
You will have 70 minutes to complete the multiple choice and other question types (drag and drop, fill in the blank, select and area, and dropdown).
Schedule and Prepare for the GED® Exam
To prepare for and take the GED®, complete the following steps:
Step 1: Locate the nearest adult education classroom and contact the instructor to schedule an appointment. At that time the instructor will work with you to determine the specific steps you need to achieve your goal.
Step 2: Determine the steps you and your instructor developed for your education plan. This can include in-person instruction, virtual instruction, and distance education methods.
Step 3: Take the official GED® practice test to determine your ability to pass the actual GED® exam.
Step 4: Once you are ready, your instructor will assist you with registering for the GED® at a nearby testing center.
Step 5: Start the test.
West Virginia’s adult distance education program provides a flexible learning opportunity for West Virginia adults who need to prepare for the GED® exam, or who wish to brush up on their basic academic skills in preparation for an upcoming test for entrance into a college/university or the workforce at no cost. You can now study any time of the day on a computer or mobile device with Internet access.
Distance education is available in limited areas. To find the nearest adult learning center offering this opportunity, you can:
- Call the Adult Education Hotline at 800-642-2670
- Email Elizabeth Jarrett at ejarrett@k12.wv.us
Some of the approved software programs for distance education in West Virginia Adult Education include:
- Edgenuity®
- GED Academy®
- Computer Essentials
- Burlington English®
The content of these programs varies from courses in healthcare occupations to information technology to courses in Accuplacer® Exam Preparation and to learning English as a Second Language.
To participate in the distance education program, you must be a West Virginia resident and be able to go to an on-site class to take the assessment test and enroll.
All candidates must be at least 16 years old to be admitted to HiSET testing. There are specific guidelines for 16, 17, and 18-year-olds. Contact your local adult learning center.
Students in this age range who are still enrolled in school may qualify for the Option Pathway program, which enables students to take the GED® exam while still enrolled in school as part of their program of study. Students must meet program guidelines and be referred to the Option Pathway by a teacher, counselor, or school administrator.
All candidates must pass the GED® official practice test. All adult education programs are authorized to give the GED® official practice test. The Adult Education or Option Pathway instructor will assist you with the online registration and scheduling for the exam. Do not complete the online registration process without passing the GED® official practice test or without the assistance of an Adult Education or Option Pathway Instructor.
Residency Guidelines
West Virginia does not have a residency requirement, but if you decide to take the GED® exam in West Virginia, your diploma will be issued as a State of West Virginia High School Equivalency Diploma. If you wish to take the GED® exam in another state, you must contact that state for its guidelines on testing out-of-state residents. West Virginia honors GED® exam scores from other states.
Identification
You must present a current, valid, and original photo ID on the day of testing. If you arrive without your photo ID, you will not be permitted to take the test and must reschedule. Only the following types of primary photo ID are accepted:
- Passport
- Driver’s license
- Learner’s permit
- State-issued Photo ID (non-driver’s license)
- National/state/country identification card
- Alien Registration Card (Green Card/Permanent Resident/Visa)
- West Virginia Alternate Photo ID for GED® Testing, Appendix 17, Option Pathway Organizational Manual (Option Pathway and WVSDT juvenile residential students ONLY) – must contain the student’s legal name and be signed using their legal name as it appears on the form.
The examiner has the authority to require additional identification for positive verification.
Exam Accommodations
GED Testing Service LLC is committed to providing full access to the GED® exam for anyone with disabilities in support of the Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended (ADAAA). Test accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis and include things such as extra testing time, extra breaks, and a separate testing room.
Instructors can assist students with applying for accommodation. This request can take up to 30 days to be evaluated by GED Testing Service. More information on accommodations can be found at Accommodations – GED.
Unofficial GED® Scores
- Please login to your account created during the registration for the GED® exam.
Transcript of Official HiSET Scores, TASC Scores or GED® Exam Scores
Official scores of your HiSET, TASC, or GED® exam results are kept by DiplomaSender. Your original diploma and transcript will be mailed to you at no cost upon creating an account with DiplomaSender and verifying the mailing address.
Colleges, universities, and employers require a transcript of your official scores. You may obtain an additional transcript, a replacement diploma, or verification by completing the online request at DiplomaSender – Copyright © 2014 Lilac, LLC. Download detailed directions for assistance.
Options for Disability Accommodations
The GED® test includes accessible formats and comfort aids that are available to all. Students with a documented need may apply for special testing accommodations on the GED® test. The GED® Testing Service supports the intention of the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA).
Students may have access to three types of support during GED® testing:
- Accommodations (needs formal approval)
- Comfort aids (items allowed in the test room without formal approval)
- Alternate Formats
The GED® Testing Service is committed to ensuring access to the test for all individuals with disabilities. This includes providing reasonable and appropriate accommodations to individuals with documented disabilities who demonstrate a need for accommodations. Recommended accommodations should be related to the identified functional limitations that the specific student experiences due to the diagnosed disability. This ensures the impairment mitigates the requested auxiliary aid or adjustment to the testing format. The GED® Testing Services asks applicants to provide the types of accommodations they would like to seek. Test accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Frequently requested accommodations include:
- Extra time
- A reader/recorder
- A separate testing room
- Extra “stop the clock” breaks.
Email the testing center for information on any additional accommodations that may be needed. The GED® accommodations team makes the final decision on all accommodation requests.
Before creating and submitting the online request for GED® testing accommodations, the student must have documentation of a disability in one or more of the areas as required by the testing center.
Note: You may not schedule a GED Ready® or GED® test until your accommodation request has been evaluated by the GED® Testing Service, a determination has been made, or if you change the status of accommodations in your account.