Taking the GED online: requirements, setup and rules
Last checked October 15, 2026 · Sources: GED Testing Service Take the Online GED Test, online proctored test overview and launch announcement; Pearson VUE OnVUE requirements; Maryland Department of Labor
You can take the GED online from home in participating states, watched by a live proctor through your webcam. To qualify, your state must offer online testing and you need a Green score on the GED Ready practice test within the last 60 days for each subject. You’ll also need a working computer setup, a private room with a closed door, and government-issued ID.
Who can take the GED online?
GED Testing Service says you need two things to be eligible: your state must take part in online testing, and you must have scored Green on GED Ready within the past 60 days for each subject you want to take online. Some states add their own age rules. When you log in to GED.com, your account shows whether you’re eligible to test online.
What you need for the online GED
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Computer | Windows 10 or macOS 14 or later, one display only, able to close every app except the OnVUE testing software |
| Webcam, microphone, speaker | All must work; headphones and headsets aren’t allowed, and a phone camera can’t stand in for a webcam |
| Internet | Stable connection of at least 6 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload; no VPNs or public networks |
| Room | Private room with four walls and a closed door, no distractions and no one else present |
| ID | Government-issued ID, checked when you start |
| GED Ready | Green score within the last 60 days for each subject you take online |
Sources: GED Testing Service online testing pages and Pearson VUE OnVUE requirements for the GED, checked October 15, 2026.
How the online GED test works
Take GED Ready in the subject and score Green. That starts your 60-day window.
Download OnVUE and run the system test on the same computer and network you'll use on test day.
Book your online test at GED.com within 60 days of your Green score.
Log in to GED.com 30 minutes before your appointment to launch the test and complete check-in.
A live proctor watches the whole time. You can use the on-screen whiteboard for working out problems.
Is the online GED the same as in person?
Yes, in content. GED Testing Service says the questions, timing and scoring are the same as tests taken at authorized test centers. The main differences are the setting and the rules: you test alone at home under webcam supervision and use a digital whiteboard instead of a physical one. All subjects are available in Spanish as well as English, and test takers approved for accommodations can choose to test in a center or online.
Online GED rules to know
- Stay alone in the room and in view of the webcam for the whole test.
- No phones, tablets, smartwatches, earbuds or headphones nearby.
- Only one screen; disconnect or cover any second monitor.
- If the system test fails, fix the problem or schedule your GED at a test center instead.
- Retake rules can differ online. Maryland, for example, allows one online retake before a 60-day wait and offers no discount on online retakes.
Online or test center: which should you choose?
Testing online saves the trip and can offer more appointment times, but it depends on reliable internet and a truly private room. GED Testing Service notes that a poor internet connection is one of the most common technical problems during online tests. If your connection is unreliable, or you can’t guarantee an empty room with a closed door, a test center is the safer choice. Prices are the same in most states, according to GED Testing Service.
Common questions about the online GED
Can I take the GED online?
Yes, if your state takes part in online testing and you’ve scored Green on GED Ready within the last 60 days for that subject.
Is the online GED test easier?
GED Testing Service says the questions, timing and scoring are the same as at test centers.
Does the online GED cost more?
GED Testing Service says prices are the same in most states. Check your state’s price in your GED.com account.
Can I use my phone as the webcam?
No. Pearson VUE’s requirements list a working webcam, and GED Testing Service says a phone camera can’t be used instead.
Where do I take the official online GED?
Only through GED.com. GED Testing Service says the official online test can be accessed only through your student account there; other sites claiming to offer the GED online aren’t the real test.
See our GED Ready guide, GED cost guide and how to sign up. MockTestPrep is independent and is not affiliated with GED Testing Service or Pearson VUE.