Best GED prep in 2026: free options first, then paid courses and books
Last checked October 15, 2026 · Sources: GED.com (GED Testing Service): GED Ready, GED store prices and GED costs; Kaplan’s GED books page and retailer listings; Arizona Department of Education
The best GED prep for most people starts free: GED.com’s study tools, free state adult education classes and library books. Add the official GED Ready practice test ($7.99 per subject) to know when you’re ready. If you want more, GED.com sells its own practice and classes, and Kaplan’s 2026 study guide lists at $24.99.
Teacher-led classes funded by your state.
→Predicts whether you're likely to pass.
→All four subjects, 2 practice tests, 1,000+ questions.
→GED prep options compared
| Option | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| GED.com free tools and state adult education classes | Free in many states | Anyone; classes add a teacher and structure |
| GED Ready (official practice test) | $7.99 per subject; $25.99 all four | Checking readiness before each test; required for online testing |
| GED Flash (GED.com practice questions) | $17.99 per subject per month; $29.99 all four for a month | Extra practice questions on your phone |
| GED Live (GED.com online classes) | $170 all four subjects | Live and recorded online classes |
| GED+ (GED.com all-in-one program) | $449 all four subjects | People who want the most structure and support |
| Kaplan GED Test Prep, 10th ed. (2026) | $24.99 list | A single self-study book for all four subjects |
| Kaplan GED Test Prep Plus, 10th ed. (2026) | $29.99 | The book plus more videos and a money-back promise |
Prices as of October 2026. GED.com prices from its GED Ready page and store; Kaplan list price per eCampus and BulkBookstore, Plus price per Bank Square Books. We have not hands-on tested these products.
GED Flash, GED Live and GED+ from GED Testing Service.
Buy now on GED.com1. Free classes and GED.com tools: the best starting point
GED Testing Service says the test is the only cost you have to pay and that many free study tools are on GED.com. State-funded adult education programs, which Arizona’s Department of Education points GED students to, add a teacher and a schedule, often for free. Library books fill in the rest. Less good: class schedules and quality vary by area, and free tools don’t predict your score.
2. GED Ready: the best low-cost buy
At $7.99 per subject, the official practice test is the one paid item almost everyone should buy. GED Testing Service says it’s written by the test’s creators and sorts results into Green (likely to pass), Yellow and Red zones, and a Green score is required for online testing. Less good: it’s a check, not a course; it shows what to study but doesn’t teach it. See our GED Ready guide.
3. GED.com’s paid courses: official and structured
GED Testing Service sells its own prep on GED.com: GED Flash practice questions at $17.99 per subject for a month, or $29.99 for all four subjects for a month; GED Live online classes at $170 for all four subjects; and GED+, an all-inclusive program, at $449. Kaplan describes itself as the official partner for live online GED prep. Best for people who want official, structured help. Less good: free classes in many states cover similar ground at no cost.
4. Kaplan GED Test Prep: the best book
Kaplan’s 2026 GED Test Prep (10th edition, published December 2, 2025) lists at $24.99 and, per the publisher, includes a diagnostic pretest, two full-length practice tests (one in the book, one online), more than 1,000 practice questions and 40+ online videos. The Plus edition, $29.99 at Bank Square Books, adds 60+ videos and a pass-or-money-back promise. Best for self-studiers who want one book for all four subjects. Less good: its practice tests don’t give GED Ready’s official likely-to-pass prediction. See our Kaplan GED review.
How we ranked these
We put free and official options first, because GED Testing Service says the test is the only required cost and its own practice test is the only one that predicts your result. We then compared paid options on what they add: structure, teaching, practice volume and price. We check each provider’s own pages and current retail listings, link every price to where you can buy, and rate paid products out of 5 with the same rubric we use across the site (Kaplan GED Test Prep: 3.5 / 5). Ratings are our editorial assessment from published details, not hands-on tests. We don’t accept payment for placement and don’t currently earn commissions from GED prep providers. Our how we rank GED prep page gives the full method, and our GED study plan shows how to fit these options into your prep.
How to choose
Ask your state's adult education office about free classes first.
Take GED Ready in one subject to see where you stand.
If you're close, a little targeted practice may be enough. If you're far off, add a class or a full study guide.
Retake GED Ready and book the real subject once you score Green.
Common questions about the best GED prep
Are these paid placements?
No. We currently earn no commission from any GED prep provider, and no one paid for a placement.
Is free GED prep enough?
For many people, yes. GED Testing Service says the test is the only required cost, and free classes and GED.com tools cover all four subjects. GED Ready, at $7.99 per subject, is the one low-cost item most people should add.
How much do GED.com's official prep products cost?
GED Ready costs $7.99 per subject, GED Flash $17.99 per subject per month, GED Live $170 for all four subjects, and GED+ $449, according to GED.com.
How much is Kaplan's GED book?
GED Test Prep lists at $24.99; the Plus edition is $29.99 at Bank Square Books.
We first checked these options on October 12, 2026 and rechecked them on October 15, 2026. MockTestPrep is independent and is not affiliated with GED Testing Service, Kaplan or any state agency.