Indiana General Educational Development (GED) Test Fact Sheet
What is the GED Test?
The GED Test offers adults who left school an opportunity to earn a high school credential. GED
examinees must demonstrate major skills (twelfth grade competencies that would have been acquired in
a four year high school education) in a battery of tests covering five major subject areas.
Language Arts: Writing
The Writing Skills Test consists of two parts. The score for this test is a combination of both scores.
Part I (Time Limit - 75 minutes)
This is a multiple-choice test of the ability to edit and correct problems in sentence structure, usage,
mechanics, and organization.
Part II The Essay (Time Limit- 45 minutes)
Examinees must respond to an essay question in writing. The essay question presents an issue or
situation with which examinees are familiar. Two trained readers according to a method called holistic
scoring score the essay section of the Writing Skills Test independently.
Social Studies
(Time Limit- 70 minutes)
The Social Studies Test measures the ability to comprehend and use information in the content areas of
history, economics, civics, government, geography, and world history. The focus of this test is assessing
the examinees’ ability to use concepts and information to solve problems or answer problems.
Science
(Time Limit- 80 minutes)
The Science Test measures the ability to comprehend and use information in the content areas of life
sciences, the physical sciences, also earth and space science.
Language Arts: Reading
(Time Limit- 65 minutes)
This test measures examinees’ ability to comprehend and answer questions about literary selections from
popular literature and nonfiction prose, such as business documents.
Mathematics
(Time Limit- 90 minutes)
Part 1- Permits use of calculator provided by testing site, the Casio fx- 260 Solar calculator.
Part 2- No calculator permitted. Focuses on mental math.
The Mathematics Test measures problem-solving skills in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, data, statistics
and probability. The focus is on the ability to solve problems in realistic contexts. Item sets on the test
may involve analyzing multiple pieces of information--charts, graphs, and tables.
Am I eligible to take the GED Test?
If you meet all of the following qualifications, you may take the test:
T You are at least 17 years of age. (Only 17 year-olds must provide this documentation)
- Indiana exit interview showing withdrawal from school
- Passing GED practice test scores
T You have lived in Indiana a minimum of 30 days immediately preceding the testing.
T You have NOT earned a high school diploma from an accredited United States high school.
How may I prepare to take the test?
You may wish to enroll in an adult basic education program, which provides free, individualized instruction
year round for adults who have not earned a high school diploma. For information, check with your local
high school or call 317-232-0522.
You may wish to prepare on your own. Many self-study books for the GED are available in bookstores
and libraries. They are usually titled something like, How to Prepare for the High School Equivalency
Exam. Also be sure that the books give explanations of the correct answers to sample test questions.
What is GED on TV?
GED on TV is a learn at home project. PBS broadcasts test preparation lessons. For more information
call toll free, 1-877-GEDONTV or 1-877-433-6688
How much does it cost to take the test?
In Indiana, it will cost up to $60 to take the GED Test, depending on the testing site. The cost covers all
five sub-tests. The cost to take one or more individual sub-tests will vary from $6-$10. You should
register and pay ahead to take the test. Bring photo I.D. and at least two other pieces of identification.
No study aids (such as dictionaries or notes) are allowed. If you are 17 years of age, bring the required
documentation when you registered
Where can I take the test?
There are over 70 testing centers in Indiana. They can be found in high schools, vocational school
facilities, or career centers. Be sure to call for the testing schedule at a site near you. Each testing center
sets its own schedule for testing. It is best to register and pay ahead to test. For a list of testing sites, call
317-232-0522 or visit our website:
http:///ideanet.doe.state.in.us/adulted/ged.htm
How long do I have to complete the test?
More than seven hours are needed to complete the five tests. It is recommended that the tests be taken
over a two-day period or longer. You may take as long as five weeks to finish the five sub-tests. All tests
must be completed within 35 days after you take the first one.
What scores do I need to pass?
You must score at least 410 points on each individual sub-test out of 800 possible and have at least 2250
total points to average 450 for the whole test.
What if I fail the GED Test?
You may retest as many times as needed to pass. After a waiting period, you may retake the sub-tests
with scores below the minimum. A score of 2150-2240 requires a 30-day waiting period. Scores of 2140
and below require a 90-day waiting period. There is a six-month wait to test after two failures to give you
more time to study.
Do I get a high school diploma if I pass the GED Test?
No, if you pass, you will be eligible to receive a GED High School Equivalency
Diploma issued by the state of Indiana.
Content and Time Limits: English Edition of the GED Tests
Test Name, Content, and Percentage of Total Test
Number of Questions
and Time Limits
LANGUAGE ARTS: WRITING -Part 1-multiple choice
50 items, 75 minutes
Sentence Structure 30%
Organization 15%
Usage 30%
Mechanics (capitalization and punctuation) 25%
LANGUAGE ARTS: WRITING -Part 2-essay
1 essay, 45 minutes
SOCIAL STUDIES
50 items, 70 minutes
U.S. History 25%
Civics and Government 25%
Economics 20%
World History 15%
Geography 15%
SCIENCE
50 items, 80 minutes
Life Science (Biology) 45%
Earth and Space Science 20%
Physical Science- Chemistry, and Physics 35%
LANGUAGE ARTS : READING
40 items, 65 minutes
Literary Text 75%
Nonfiction Prose 25%
MATHEMATICS - Part 1-calculator Part 2-no calculator permitted
50 items, 90 minutes
Numbers, Number sense and Operations 25%
Measurement and Geometry 25%
Data, Statistics, and Probability 25%
Algebra, Functions, and Patterns 25%
Indiana Department of Education
Division of Adult Education
Room 229, State House
Indianapolis , IN 46204-2798
317-232-0522
Revised 4
