Dream Believers

The most recent overall revision of the GED test occurred in 2014 and includes several important changes. If you have only had GED testing experience before 2014, you will need to be aware of the differences between the old and new forms of the test. This will help you prepare appropriately for the test you actually take. Here is some basic, current information about the GED test: 

There are four subject area tests:

• Reasoning Through Language Arts

• Mathematical Reasoning

• Social Studies

• Science

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• One GED test section, Reasoning Through Language Arts, includes some sort of written response, either essay, short essay, or short answer (several sentences) items. See specific descriptions of each section for details. They are located in the practice question areas of this site.

• The GED test contains a handful of question types to measure a wider variety of knowledge and skill levels. They include not only the traditional multiple-choice question format, but also drag-and-drop, hot spot, fill-in-the-blank, and extended response (short and long essay) types.

• The GED test provides detailed score reporting available on the testing day.

• Students must score at least 145 out of 200 possible points on each of the four sections to get a GED certificate. There is no provision for combining all section scores to obtain a “passing average.”

• Students can strive for scores higher than the 145 passing score and earn exemption from college placement tests and remediation courses in college, and even earn college credit hours. Registering for, scheduling, and taking the GED test is done via computer.

• The GED test is available in both English and Spanish.

• There are provisions for free accommodations, such as extra time and the use of scratch paper. For test security purposes, test-takers are normally issued wipe-off boards for scratch use, instead of paper.

• There are both official practice tests and free practice tests you can take to determine your readiness to take the GED test. The results of these practice tests will also identify areas in which you need to work before taking the final test.

• Students may take the GED test up to three times with no waiting period and then again, every 60 days. This provides eight testing opportunities in a calendar year for those students needing to retest.

Be sure to read all of the information about the GED test that is available on this site as there were significant changes in test content in 2014 and minor modifications to scoring in 2016. You can also get the latest updates by visiting the GED website. You’ll need to create an account before you can access most information, but this is free, takes only a minute, and obligates you to nothing! BUT, doing so will enable you to find out all sorts of pertinent information about preparing for and taking the GED test, including state-specific regulations. It’s also where you’ll need to register to take the test.

Several changes to the GED test went into effect on March 1, 2016. These include new, slightly lower passing scores, two new GED credential levels, and changes to the Social Studies test. The scoring changes are retroactive to January 1, 2014, in most states. Check the status of your state at the new GED website, as well.