The GED test explained: subjects, scores, cost and how to start
Last checked October 15, 2026 · Sources: GED Testing Service test subjects, test scores and online testing pages; state pages from Arizona, Maryland, Vermont and Alaska
The GED test is a four-subject high school equivalency exam: Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Science and Social Studies. You need at least 145 on each subject to pass, you can take subjects one at a time, and each state sets its own price and eligibility rules. You sign up, practice and schedule through GED.com.
What’s on the GED test?
| Subject | Time | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematical Reasoning | 115 minutes | Math concepts, measurement, equations and real-life problems; on-screen calculator and formula sheet provided |
| Reasoning Through Language Arts | 150 minutes | Reading closely, grammar and language, and a written essay with 45 minutes allowed |
| Science | 90 minutes | Reading for meaning, designing and interpreting experiments, and using numbers and graphics in science |
| Social Studies | 70 minutes | Reading for meaning, analyzing historical events and arguments, and using numbers and graphs |
Source: GED Testing Service test subjects page, checked October 15, 2026.
GED Testing Service stresses that the Science and Social Studies tests are about reasoning with information, not memorization. Our GED format and scoring guide goes into each subject in more detail.
GED scores: what you need to pass
| Score per subject | Level | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 145 | GED Passing Score | Pass that subject; you need 145 or higher on all four to earn your high school equivalency |
| 165 to 174 | GED College Ready | Ready for college-level courses; you may qualify for waivers from placement testing or developmental classes |
| 175 to 200 | GED College Ready + Credit | Skills that could qualify for up to 10 college credit hours |
Source: GED Testing Service test scores page, checked October 15, 2026.
Each subject must reach 145 on its own; a high score in one subject can’t make up for a low score in another. Whether a college gives credit or waivers for the higher levels is up to the school.
For what each score level means, when results arrive and what to do if you don’t pass a subject, see our GED scores and results guide. For how many people pass, nationally about 74% in 2025 according to GED Testing Service figures published by South Dakota, see GED pass rates.
How much does the GED cost?
GED Testing Service says test fees are set by each state, so check the price for your state when you sign up at GED.com. Two official examples show the range: Arizona’s Department of Education lists $41 per GED test, in person or online, while Maryland lists $36 per subject for online testing, which would come to $144 for all four. Some states subsidize the test for residents.
The official practice test, GED Ready, has cost $7.99 per subject since August 1, 2025, according to Arizona’s Department of Education. Retake prices also vary: Maryland, for example, discounts the first retake at test centers but not online. Our GED cost guide covers fees, retakes and ways to pay less.
Who can take the GED?
You generally can’t be enrolled in high school or already hold a high school diploma, and each state sets its own minimum age and extra rules. For example, Vermont allows test takers from age 16, with parental permission for anyone under 18. Alaska’s minimum is 18, but 16- and 17-year-olds can test with a withdrawal slip from their last school and either emancipation papers or a parent’s or guardian’s signed permission. GED.com shows your state’s rules when you register, and our how to sign up guide walks through the steps.
Online or at a test center?
You can take the GED at an official test center or, in participating states, online from home with a live proctor watching the whole time. GED Testing Service says online testing requires that your state takes part and that you’ve scored “Green” on the GED Ready practice test within the past 60 days. Online testing launched in May 2020 and is available in select U.S. states, so log in to GED.com to see whether you’re eligible.
How to get started
Sign up at GED.com, the only official place to register, and choose your state to see its price and rules.
Take GED Ready in the subject you plan to test first. A Green score means you're likely to pass, and it's required for online testing.
Study the areas GED Ready flags. Free adult education classes and library study books are available in many states.
Book one subject at a time at a test center or online, and repeat for each subject until you've passed all four.
Study strategy and tips
You don’t have to take all four subjects at once, so most people study and test one subject at a time, starting with their strongest. GED Ready ($7.99 per subject) tells you whether you’re likely to pass before you pay for the real test, and a green result is required to test online.
A subject-by-subject schedule.
→The official practice test and its score zones.
→ID, calculator and arrival rules.
→Things that actually move your score
Take GED Ready first; it shows which skills to work on before you spend money on the real test.
Each subject is passed separately at 145, so finish one before starting the next.
Get comfortable with the TI-30XS on-screen calculator and the formula sheet before test day.
The essay is about 45 minutes of the Language Arts test; practice writing arguments from two passages.
If you don't pass, your score report shows what to work on, and the first retakes have no waiting period at test centers.
Where test-takers talk about the GED
GED test-takers share study tips and test-day stories on Reddit and Quora. Prices and rules vary by state and change over time, so check them on GED.com and your state’s policy page. Our GED community guide lists outdated claims to watch for.
Our GED guides
State-set fees, GED Ready, retakes, ways to pay less.
→Subjects, timing, 145 to pass, higher score levels.
→GED.com account, age rules, scheduling.
→One subject at a time, with a sample schedule.
→Official practice test: price and Green, Yellow, Red zones.
→Requirements, setup and rules for testing at home.
→Calculator rules, topics and worked examples.
→Reading, grammar and the 45-minute essay.
→Data, graphs and experiments.
→Civics, history, economics and geography.
→GED Ready, free classes and library books.
→Free options first, then paid prep compared.
→$24.99 study guide with a refund guarantee.
→Our criteria and what we don't do.
→GED Testing Service and state pages in one place.
→Reddit and Quora, and outdated claims to watch for.
→Two retakes with no wait, then 60 days.
→ID, calculator and arrival rules.
→How to order copies and what they cost.
→Scoring, format, fees and which to take.
→Weighing a different route? See our GED vs HiSET comparison, and once you’ve passed, our guides to the ASVAB for military enlistment and the SAT and ACT for college.
Common questions about the GED
Do colleges accept the GED?
GED Testing Service’s college admissions guide says about one in twenty students entering postsecondary schools holds a high school credential earned by passing the GED test. Admission policies vary, so check the specific programs you’re interested in.
What score do you need to pass the GED?
145 on each of the four subjects, on a scale of 100 to 200.
How much does the GED cost?
It depends on your state. Arizona lists $41 per test and Maryland $36 per subject online. Check your state’s price at GED.com.
Can I take the GED online?
Yes, in participating states, with a live online proctor. You need a Green score on GED Ready within the past 60 days.
Do I have to take all four subjects at once?
No. You can take the four subjects separately, in any order, and schedule each when you’re ready.
We first checked this page’s sources on October 12, 2026 and rechecked them on October 15, 2026. MockTestPrep is independent and is not affiliated with GED Testing Service or any state agency.