Test Requirements
Age: |
You must have proof of age. You must be at least 18 years and six months old to take the GED tests, or the class with which you entered grade 9 must have graduated from high school. Under Wisconsin's Compulsory School Attendance law, 17-year olds may be permitted to enroll in a program that leads to a HSED. Find out more information about our High School Contract program. |
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Class Status: |
You are required to attend school until the end of the school term, quarter or semester of the school year in which you become 18 years of age. If you are not 18 years and six months old, you may still take the test if the class with whom you entered ninth grade has graduated from high school. |
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Residency: |
You must be a legal resident of Wisconsin; you may be asked to prove residency. |
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Test Details
The GED is a battery of tests in General Educational Development. Completing the GED test qualifies an individual for a General Educational Development Certificate. This is NOT the same as earning a high school diploma. If you are interested in earning the equivalent to a high school diploma, check out the HSED.
The GED consists of five tests. All tests are multiple choice except for an essay test. You may only take one test per testing session. The following is a layout of each of the tests:
Language Arts - Writing*
- Part I: Editing
- Part II: Essay
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50
N/A |
75
45 |
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section total 120 mins |
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Language Arts - Reading
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40 |
65 |
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Mathematics*
- Part I (calculator allowed)
- Part II (no calculator allowed)
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25
25 |
45
45 |
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section total 90 mins |
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Science
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50 |
80 |
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Social Studies
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70 |
70 |
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Score
You must earn a total of 2250 points to earn a GED Certificate, averaging 450 points on each of the five tests (450 X 5 = 2250). A passing test score can be as low as 410. However, you would need to score over 450 in other test areas to bring the overall average to 450.
GED Test score requirements are:
Required minimum standard score of 410 on each test. (Max possible: 800)
Required total score of 2250 on all GED tests.
Average score for all tests may not be less than 450.
Total score of 2750-2990 is Honors
Total score of 3000 or greater is High Honors