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GED Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Take an in depth look at the test!
Below is a list of frequently asked questions related to GED, GED Tests, GED Testing and online GED courses and GED preparation. Back to TopWhat does "GED" stand for?GED stands for Tests of "General Educational Development". Back to TopWhat are the GED Tests?The GED exam is a battery of five tests in Science, Mathematics, Social Studies, Language Arts Writing, and Language Arts Reading. The GED tests take seven or more hours to complete. The GED tests are administered many times a year. The GED test centers are spread across the USA and Canada. The Oneonta Test Center is located at the Oneonta High School on Upper East Street GED Test Area Number of Questions Time Limit Science 50 80 minutes Mathematics 50 90 minutes Social Studies 50 70 minutes Language Arts 50 75 minutes Writing, Part I
Language Arts 1 essay 45 minutes Writing, Part II
Language Arts 40 65 minutes Reading Back to TopWhat makes a GED credential "equivalent to a high school diploma?"The GED is accepted as an equivalent to a high school diploma by approximately 97% of colleges and universities in the U.S., and 95% of employers because they recognize the GED test as a rigorous examination equal to or exceeding high school proficiency. The GED tests are standardized and normed using a national random sample of graduating high school seniors. To pass the GED tests, a candidate must demonstrate a level of skill that meets or exceeds that demonstrated by 60% of graduating high school seniors. This means that 40% of graduating seniors would not pass the GED tests. Back to TopWho is eligible to take the GED Tests?The GED Testing Service suggests that You may take the GED Tests if:
If you are considering leaving high school, we suggest that you first meet with your high school counselor to talk seriously about you decision and the level of academic skill needed to pass the GED tests. Back to TopMay I take the GED Test if I have a high school diploma from another country?Yes. Persons whose high school diploma is from an unaccredited high school are eligible to take the GED test s if they meet all other requirements of the New York state. Back to TopDo I need a Social Security Number to take the GED?No. You would not require a social security number to take the GED tests. Back to TopMay I take the GED test if I am not a U.S. Citizen?Yes. You can take the GED test even if you are not a U.S. Citizen. Back to TopWhat are the requirements for taking and passing the GED test?To obtain a GED credential you must receive a minimum standard score of 410 or more on each of the five GED subtests with an average of 450 on each of the five subtests for a total standard score of 2250 or more to pass the GED test and receive a diploma. Back to TopWhat if I don't pass the GED the first time?GED Testing Service permits GED test candidates to test up to three times per contract year (January 1 to December 31), based on the number of GED Test forms available each year. Back to TopHow are the GED Language Arts, Writing Test essays scored?The GED Language Arts, Writing Test (Part II) essays have been scored on a 4-point holistic scale. Two trained GED essay readers read each essay and score based on the overall impression of each GED test paper in the following five areas:
The two GED readers' score are then averaged. If the essay receives a score of 2 or higher, the essay score is combined with the multiple-choice score to form a composite. If a GED candidate receives a score of 1 or 1.5 on the essay, there will be no composite score, and the candidate must retake both the essay and multiple-choice section. GED Essay readers may not be more than one point apart in their scoring. In those cases where the readers are more than one point apart, the Chief Reader for the GED scoring will set the score by agreeing with the reader whose score follows the GED Testing Service scale. Back to TopWhat is the passing score for the essay in the GED?A GED Testing candidate must earn a score of 2 or higher on the Language Arts, Writing Test, PArt II essay in order to receive a composite score and obtain a passing score. A candidate needs a score of 2 or higher to earn a passing score. Back to TopWhat is the passing score for the essay in the GED?A GED Testing candidate must earn a score of 2 or higher on the Language Arts, Writing Test, Part II essay in order to receive a composite score and obtain a passing score. A candidate needs a score of 2 or higher to earn a passing score. Back to TopWhen I receive my GED Language Arts, Writing Test score, how can I tell if I earned a score of 2 or higher on my essay?If you received a score on your transcript in the range of 200-800, you would have earned at least a score of 2 (minimum passing score on the 4-point scale) on your essay. If you received a double (**) asterisk on your transcript, then you did not earn a 2 on your essay. Note: A single asterisk (*) indicates that you did not write on the assigned topic, and your response was recorded as "off topic." Back to TopHow do GED essay readers score papers? What do the GED essay readers consider the most important elements of good writing?Good writing needs a focus, organization, and development with specific and relevant examples, details, explanations, etc. You'll see these elements at the top of our scoring grid. The GED essay readers are especially concerned with the development that supports a focus. They do not, however, look for specific errors in grammar, usage and mechanics. They don't score with same elements in mind that a classroom teacher would. Errors in grammar, etc. would affect a score only if they are so numerous and hinder the reader from understanding the writer's ideas. Consequently, GED testing writers need to minimize errors, so these mistakes don't distract the readers from the ideas in the paper. Back to Top
What will the GED essay topic ask me to do? Can I find out what past topics have been on the GED writing test? Do I need any prior GED preparation for the essay?GED testing candidates will be asked to write on a topic of general interest. The topics are brief and generally ask candidates to state their views and support with examples from their own observation, knowledge or experience. GED testing topics are not released in advance. Preparation for the essay should include practice writing one to two page essays in the allotted 45 minute time period. Back to Top
The older form of the GED Writing Skills Test provided a recommended word count for the essay. How long does my essay have to be now for the GED Writing Skills Test?Your GED essay score is not based on a word count. You will not necessarily fail if you have fewer than 200 words. The only requirement for the essay's length is that it must be written on the two sides of the answer sheet. Essay readers will not read additional pages. Back to Top
Writing textbooks will not always agree on the same point. For example, one book will tell writer to use a comma after each item in a series (e.g. coffee, eggs, juice, and toast), but another book might tell writers to omit the last comma before the conjunction e.g. coffee, eggs, juice and toast.). Which is correct for the GED tests? Will the GED essay readers give me a lower score?Both of the comma-use instances that you cite are correct. Most English teachers will agree that the comma before the "and" is optional; however, the writer must be consistent. If the writer omits the comma before "and," he must omit it every time there are three or more items in a series. Likewise, if the comma is used, the writer must use it in all cases. Consistency is the key. When the trained GED readers are reading the essays for a score, they are looking for an overall impression, not individual errors. Grammar, usage, and mechanics errors will affect a reader's score if there are a sufficient number of errors that collectively make it difficult for the reader to understand or follow the writer's ideas. Therefore, the two applications of the comma for the last item in a series would not affect the reader's score. As a side note, multiple-choice items on Language Arts, Writing Part I will not test the comma use between the next to last items one and two (in a series of three or more items) will be tested. Back to Top
The GED Testing Service essay scoringBoth of the comma-use instances that you cite are correct. Most English teachers will agree that the comma before the "and" is optional; however, the writer must be consistent. If the writer omits the comma before "and," he must omit it every time there are three or more items in a series. Likewise, if the comma is used, the writer must use it in all cases. Consistency is the key. When the trained GED readers are reading the essays for a score, they are looking for an overall impression, not individual errors. Grammar, usage, and mechanics errors will affect a reader's score if there are a sufficient number of errors that collectively make it difficult for the reader to understand or follow the writer's ideas. Therefore, the two applications of the comma for the last item in a series would not affect the reader's score. As a side note, multiple-choice items on Language Arts, Writing Part I will not test the comma use between the next to last items one and two (in a series of three or more items) will be tested. Back to Top
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