The GED Tests offer you an opportunity to PROVE YOURSELF.
The General Educational Development Tests were originally developed in 1942 to determine the skill levels of returning WWII servicemen. Now the GED Tests measure the major and lasting outcomes and concepts associated with a traditional four-year high school education.
The GED Tests consist of following five subtests: Social Studies, Language Arts/Writing (2 parts), Language Arts/Reading, Science, and Mathematics (2 parts).
The Language Arts/Writing test consists of a multiple choice part and an essay.
The Mathematics test consists of a part where a calculator may be used and a part where a calculator is not permitted.
An examinee may take the GED in Utah only three (3) times in English or Spanish.
For UTAH examinees, the actual costs to take the GED 2002 Tests in Utah will be the following:
1. Full Battery of 5 subtests = $55
2. Retake Writing skills subtest = $15
3. Retake of any other subtest = $11 each
If an examinee registers for GED testing and does not show up for the test, the GED testing site is permitted to charge a "no-show" fee effective November 15, 2002. Testing sites are permitted to charge up to $15 to any GED examinee who books and does not appear for his/her testing times. Each testing site is allowed to determine how many days in advance of the testing time constitutes "no show." If examinees have questions, they may contact the local testing sites.
Note: Scores from previous versions (1988...) of the GED Tests cannot be combined with the new 2002 version of the GED. This means that on January 1, 2002, anyone who had not completed the former version of GED Tests had begin all over again with all 5 new subtests.
Usage of calculators (fx-260 Solar) will comprise about half of the math subtest. Calculators that will be used in the actual GED 2002 math subtests may be purchased by:
- calling 301-632-6758 (credit card purchases)
- by faxing an order to 301-843-0159 (Purchase Orders).
Calculators will be provided for you at GED Testing Centers for the actual GED Tests -- so don't take a calculator to the testing situation. Brief instructions on how to use the calculators will also be provided at the testing time. However, it is advisable to learn how calculators work before you take the math portion of the GED tests. If you wish, you may take the math subtest completely without a calculator, but you most likely will not complete as many questions in the math portion of the GED 2002 Tests as you would if you effectively use the calculator.
GED Testing centers will have a short video for you to watch regarding (1) how the Casio fx-260 works and (2) the alternate ways you will answer some math questions.
Calculators cost $7.00 each for the fx-260 Solar calculators (50% retail discount) and $35 each for instructors' teaching calculators (OH-260, used on overhead projectors). Shipping and handling is 7% of your purchase price to a maximum of $14.00 per order. Prices may change.
Requirements for Retesting
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Pay retesting fees.
- Show current government-issued identification each time you retest.
- Retesting may be accomplished on all tests or selected tests for an unlimited number of times until minimum scores are obtained provided that a period of three weeks has elapsed since the second and subsequent testing, and new forms of the test are available. Typically, in any calendar year, the maximum number of times any one of the 5 GED sub-tests may be retaken is three. Scores will carry over from year to year.
- The policy immediately above may be partially waived and next-day retesting may be allowed for examinees who score within 30 points of their targeted goal. Hence, as an example, any examinee who scores 380+ on any single test will be permitted to test on another version of that test the next time that test is offered by a GED testing site. If the examinee scores less than 380, the examinee is required to wait 3 weeks to encourage additional GED preparation before the examinee re-takes a GED test.
- Passing scores may be upgraded by retesting based on evidence of need.
Questions About the GED
There are plenty of adults who did not complete a high school program of instruction have continued to learn through a variety of experiences in everyday life. The purpose of the GED Testing Program is to provide an opportunity for these individuals to have the learning acquired from such educational experiences evaluated and recognized. The GED Tests make it possible for qualified individuals to earn a high school credential, thus providing opportunities for hundreds of thousands of adults to:
Pursue higher education
Obtain jobs or job promotions
Achieve personal goals
Who is eligible to take the GED tests?
You may take the GED Tests if:
You are not enrolled in high school, and
You have not graduated from high school, and
You are at least age 16, and
You meet state requirements regarding age, residency, and the length of time since leaving school
If you are considering leaving high school, the GED Testing Center recommends that you first meet with your high school conselor to talk seriously about your decision and the level of academic skill needed to pass the GED Tests.
What are the GED tests?
The Tests of General Educational Development (GED Tests) are internationally recognized. They have been designed to measure major academic skills and knowledge in core content areas that are learned during four years of high school. When an adult passes the 7-1/2 hour GED Tests battery, the resulting GED credential certifies that he or she has attained subject matter knowledge and skills associated with high school completion. The GED Tests battery includes the following subject area tests:
Language Arts, Writing, Part 1
Language Arts, Writing, Part 11
Social Studies
Science
Reading
Mathematics
Are there resources available to help me prepare for the GED tests?
Passing the GED Tests may require some preparation on your part. Some individuals prepare intensively by taking classes or studying GED preparation books and other materials. Other candidates are comfortable with simply brushing up on a few of the subject areas where they feel they need practice. To determine how you should best prepare for the tests, you can start by contacting local adult education programs sponsored by school districts, colleges, and community organizations in your area. Teachers at these adult education programs can not only help you decide the extent to which you need to study for the five GED Tests, but they can also help you develop a study plan that is best for you.
Individual study allows you to prepare on your own, using materials such as commercial study guides, Cliffs Notes, and the Official GED Practice Tests. Local libraries and bookstores carry GED study materials.
Visit the official GED Testing Service website at www.gedtest.org for more information.
GED Testing Centers may direct you to your closest instructional site. Call 1-800-62-MYGED (1-800-626-9433) to find the GED Testing Center closest to you.
Am I ready to take the GED tests?
You can take the Official GED Practice Tests to determine your readiness to take the GED Tests. The Official GED Practice Tests questions are similar to those on the GED Tests in content, difficulty, and format. The Practice Tests are a good tool to help you decide whether you are adequately prepared to succeed on the actual GED Tests or whether you would benefit from additional study or practice. Your teacher or tutor can help you interpret your Practice Test scores to determine your next step.
Test Items Time Limit
Language Arts, Writing, Part 1 50 questions 75 minutes
Language Arts, Writing, Part 2 Essay 45 minutes
Social Studies 50 questions 70 minutes
Language Arts, Reading 40 questions 65 minutes
Mathematics, Part 1 25 questions, calculator optional 45 minutes
Mathematics, Part 2 25 questions without a calculator 45 minutes
Except for Part 2, of the Language Arts, Writing Test, which requires an essay, and the Mathematics Test, which requires the gridding of some answers, questions are provided in multiple-choice format. Each multiple-choice question lists five possible answer choices; you select the best answer.
