How we rank GED prep
Last checked October 15, 2026 · Sources: GED Testing Service on GED costs and GED Ready; GED store prices
This page explains how we rank GED prep. Our picks are based on what each option publishes about itself (content, practice, price and guarantees) checked against GED Testing Service’s description of the test, and we rate paid products out of 5 with one rubric used across the site. Ratings are editorial, not hands-on tests; we say who each option suits and why.
Why free and official options come first
GED Testing Service says the test itself is the only cost you have to pay, and that many free study tools are available on GED.com. Many states also fund free adult education classes. And only GED Testing Service’s own practice test, GED Ready, gives an official prediction of whether you’re likely to pass, which is also required for online testing. So we rank free and official options first and judge paid products on what they add.
What we look at
| Factor | Why it matters for the GED |
|---|---|
| Coverage of all four subjects | You need 145 on each subject, so gaps in any one matter. |
| Essay and calculator help | The Language Arts essay and the Math calculator rules trip people up; we note whether a resource teaches them. |
| Practice tests and explanations | We count the practice tests and questions a provider says it includes, and whether answers are explained. |
| Up-to-date details | We check that resources match GED Testing Service’s current subjects, timing and scoring. |
| Total cost and value | We compare price against what’s already free, and every price links to where you can buy. |
| Guarantees | We read the conditions behind any money-back promise, not just the headline. |
Our criteria. Each review links to the provider pages we used.
How we rate GED prep
We use the same rubric across every exam on this site. Each product is scored out of 5 in six categories, based on what the provider publishes and the consensus of third-party reviews, and the weighted total is its rating: question bank 25%, practice exams 20%, lectures and materials 15%, platform and mobile 15%, support 10% and value 15%. Ratings are our editorial assessment, not measured results, and each review shows its breakdown. Free and official options, such as GED Ready and adult education classes, aren’t rated because they aren’t products we compare on price.
| Product | Rating |
|---|---|
| Kaplan GED Test Prep | 3.5 / 5 |
Current ratings, October 2026.
What we don’t do
- We don’t claim hands-on testing we haven’t done.
- We don’t accept payment to change a pick or a review. We do not currently earn commissions from any GED prep provider; if that changes, our affiliate disclosure will say so at the top of the page.
- We don’t copy other sites’ ratings or text. All our writing is our own.
- We don’t publish figures we can’t trace to a source. Where states differ, we show official examples instead of a made-up national average.
How we show prices
Every price carries an “as of” month and a source, and links to the provider’s own page where you can buy. Book prices vary by retailer, so we name the edition and the seller we used. GED test fees vary by state, so we show official state examples and point you to GED.com for your exact price.
How often we check
Every GED page shows the date we last checked it directly under the title, with its sources. We aim to review prices every three months and test details every six, since prices change more often. Always confirm at checkout.
Common questions about how we rank GED prep
Do you test the GED courses yourselves?
No. Our ratings are editorial: we score what providers publish, and the consensus of third-party reviews, against the rubric above, with GED Testing Service’s description of the test guiding what we look for. Each review shows its breakdown.
Do providers pay for their ranking?
No. We don’t currently earn commissions from GED prep providers. If that changes, a disclosure will appear at the top of the affected pages.
Why do free options rank first?
Because GED Testing Service says the test is the only required cost, free classes and tools exist in many states, and only GED Ready gives an official likely-to-pass result.
Where can I see when a page was last checked?
Under the title of each page, with links to the sources we used.
See our best GED prep ranking, free GED resources and editorial policy. MockTestPrep is independent and is not affiliated with GED Testing Service.