The requirements for the GED and other high school equivalency diplomas come down to a short list: you must be at least 18 (or 16–17 under specific conditions), no longer enrolled in high school, without a diploma already, able to present a valid government-issued photo ID, and able to pass every subject on the test your state offers. The two tests still in use nationally are the GED and the HiSET, and each state’s department of education decides which one you can take, sets the fees, and issues the certificate once you pass.
Which Test Your State Offers
Only two high school equivalency exams remain in national use. Some states authorize only the GED. Others accept either the GED or the HiSET. Your state’s education department controls what’s available where you live, so that’s the first thing to confirm before you plan anything else.
The GED has four subject tests and is fully computer-based, delivered either at a testing center or online from home in most states. The HiSET has five subtests and is offered on computer or, in some locations, on paper.1GED Testing Service. Test Subjects Both measure the same general academic knowledge, and states treat the resulting credentials as equivalent.
Age, Enrollment, and Residency
You must be at least 18 and not currently enrolled in high school. If you already hold a diploma, you’re not eligible; these credentials exist as an alternative path, not a second one.
Most states allow 16- and 17-year-olds to test under specific conditions. Younger candidates typically need proof of formal withdrawal from their last school, and minors almost always need written consent from a parent or guardian. Rules vary: some states require 16-year-olds to be enrolled in an approved alternative education program, while others simply ask for withdrawal documentation from anyone under 18.
Some states also require residency and may ask for proof such as a utility bill or lease. Others let anyone test regardless of address. Check with your state’s education department or the testing platform before you register.
Identification You’ll Need
You need a current, government-issued photo ID at registration and again on test day. A driver’s license, passport, state ID card, or military ID works. The document must show your name, photo, date of birth, and signature. Expired IDs are rejected.2GED. What to Expect on Test Day
If you use a passport, some states require separate proof of residency because passports don’t show a home address. Alternative government-issued IDs, such as a tribal enrollment card or a state agency badge, are accepted in some jurisdictions. If you don’t have a standard ID, contact your state’s testing administrator well before you try to schedule.
The name you register with must match the name on your ID exactly. Even a minor discrepancy can get you turned away.
Subjects and Passing Scores
GED
The GED has four subjects, each scored 100 to 200:1GED Testing Service. Test Subjects
- Mathematical Reasoning, 115 minutes, covering basic math, algebra, geometry, and graphs. An on-screen calculator is provided for most of the test.
- Reasoning Through Language Arts, 150 minutes, covering reading comprehension, argument analysis, and grammar, and including a 45-minute essay and a 10-minute break.
- Science, 90 minutes, focused on interpreting data and understanding experimental design.
- Social Studies, 70 minutes, covering civics, government, economics, and historical analysis.
You need at least 145 on each subject to pass.3GED Testing Service. Test Scores A score of 165 to 174 earns a “College Ready” designation, which may exempt you from college placement tests. A 175 to 200 earns “College Ready + Credit,” which can translate into up to 10 college credits across the four subjects at participating institutions.4GED Official Website. Understanding Your Scores
On the current GED edition, in use since 2014, passing scores do not expire. You can take one subject at a time over months or years, and each pass stays on your record. Scores from the pre-2014 edition are no longer valid, so anyone who passed some subjects but never finished under the old version has to start over.
HiSET
The HiSET has five subtests, each scored 1 to 20:5HiSET. HiSET – High School Equivalency Diploma
- Mathematics: arithmetic, algebra, and quantitative reasoning.
- Reading: comprehension and analysis of written passages.
- Writing: grammar, usage, and a scored essay.
- Science: data interpretation and scientific reasoning.
- Social Studies: history, civics, economics, and geography.
To pass, you need at least an 8 on each subtest, at least a 2 out of 6 on the essay, and a combined total of 45 or higher across all five subtests. Score validity rules vary by state, so ask if you plan to spread testing out.
How to Register and What It Costs
Create a free account at GED.com or, for the HiSET, at hiset.org. Both platforms let you pick your state, schedule test dates, and view scores.6GED Testing Service. How to Create a GED Account (and Why You Should) During registration you’ll provide contact information, your educational history (the last grade you completed), and the state where you plan to test. That state determines the fees and policies that apply. You’ll also be asked whether you need testing accommodations.7GED. Testing Accommodations
GED pricing runs $30 to $40 per subject in most states, or $120 to $160 for all four.8GED Testing Service. How Much Does Getting a GED Cost? Fees, Courses, and Materials HiSET base fees typically run $15 to $20 per subtest for the testing company’s portion, with additional charges from states and testing centers on top, so the total often lands close to GED pricing.9HiSET. Fee Chart
Several states cover the full cost of GED testing: Alaska, Connecticut, Kentucky, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. States including Arkansas, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, and Ohio offer discounts.10GED. State Information Online Testing Eligibility for free or discounted testing sometimes depends on enrollment in a prep program, so ask your local adult education center what’s available.
What to Expect on Test Day
In Person
Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time. Showing up more than 15 minutes late risks being turned away and losing your fee.2GED. What to Expect on Test Day Bring your valid photo ID. Phones, watches, and bags go into a locker the facility provides. You won’t need a calculator; one appears on-screen. Results are usually posted to your online account within a few hours.
Online
The GED is available online in over 40 states and territories. To qualify, you must first score “Green” (likely to pass) on a GED Ready practice test within the previous 60 days.10GED. State Information Online Testing You need a computer with a webcam, reliable internet, and a private room with a closed door. No one else can be in the room once the exam starts.
Online rules are strict. No physical calculator, scratch paper, or notes. The webcam must stay in place throughout. Speaking out loud, mumbling, or covering your mouth triggers a warning from the live proctor, and leaving the webcam’s view can end the session.11GED. Take the GED Test Online
Retaking Failed Subjects
Failing a subject isn’t the end of the process. For in-person GED testing, you can retake a failed subject twice with no waiting period. After three unsuccessful attempts on the same subject, you have to wait 60 days before trying again.12GED. Test Retakes
GED Testing Service waives its portion of the fee for up to two retakes within 12 months of your initial paid attempt. Whether the state and testing center waive their portions too depends on where you test. The discount applies only to failed subjects. Retaking a subject you already passed to improve your score, say to reach the College Ready threshold, means paying full price.12GED. Test Retakes
HiSET retake policies vary by state, so confirm wait times and fees with your testing center.
Accommodations for Disabilities
If you have a documented disability, request accommodations during registration. On GED.com, you’ll be asked whether you need accommodated testing when you create your account. Selecting “yes” gives you instructions for submitting a formal request with supporting documentation.7GED. Testing Accommodations Accommodations can include extended time, additional breaks, screen magnification, and other modifications. Submit the request well before your preferred date, because you can’t schedule until it’s approved.
What the Credential Does for You
For federal financial aid, an equivalency credential is treated identically to a traditional diploma. You’re eligible for Pell Grants, federal student loans, and work-study. The U.S. Department of Education recognizes GED certificates and other state-authorized equivalency credentials for Title IV aid, the same category that covers traditional diplomas.13Federal Student Aid. 2025-2026 Federal Student Aid Handbook, Volume 1, Chapter 1 – School-Determined Requirements
Scores can give you a head start on college coursework too. A GED “College Ready” score (165 to 174) may exempt you from placement tests or remedial classes. A “College Ready + Credit” score (175 to 200) can earn up to 3 credits in math, 3 in science, 3 in social studies, and 1 in humanities at participating schools. Not every institution accepts these credits, so send your transcript and score report to the admissions office and confirm the policy before you rely on it.4GED Official Website. Understanding Your Scores
One boundary worth knowing if you’re considering the military: the Department of Defense classifies a traditional diploma as Tier I and an equivalency credential as Tier II, and each branch caps the share of Tier II recruits it accepts each year. Earning at least 15 college semester credits moves you back into Tier I, which is why recruiters often suggest a semester of community college after you pass.