GED FAQs
What are the GED Tests? | Who is eligible to take the GED Tests? | What documentation is required? | Where are the GED Tests offered? | What are passing scores? | Is retesting allowed? | What is the GED Practice Test? | Is there a testing fee? | Are accommodations available? | How do GED scores relate to class ranking? | Can GED scores be used for college admission? | Can scores be upgraded?
Q:
What are the GED Tests?
A:
The GED Tests measure the major academic skills and concepts associated with
four years of regular high school instruction. They provide an opportunity
for persons who have not graduated from high school to earn a high school
equivalency diploma.
The GED Tests measure competency in five subject areas: Language
Arts-Writing, Social Studies, Science, Language Arts-Reading, and Mathematics.
| Test Area | Number of Questions | Time Limit |
| Language Arts Writing Part I | 50 | 75 min. |
| Language Arts Writing Part II | 1 essay | 45 min. |
| Social Studies | 50 | 70 min. |
| Science | 50 | 80 min. |
| Language Arts Reading | 40 | 65 min. |
| Mathematics | 50 | 90 min. |
| Test Content: Language Arts Writing | Part I |
| Organization | 15% |
| Sentence Structure | 30% |
| Usage | 30% |
| Mechanics | 25% |
| Test Content: Social Studies | |
| National History | 25% |
| World History | 15% |
| Economics | 20% |
| Civics and Government | 25% |
| Geography | 15% |
| Test Content: Science | |
| Life Science | 45% |
| Earth and Space Science | 20% |
| Physical Science | 35% |
| Test Content: Language Arts Reading | |
| Fiction, Poetry, and Drama | 75% |
| Non-fiction | 25% |
| Test Content: Mathematics | |
| Number Operations | 25% |
| Measurement and Geometry | 25% |
| Data Analysis, Statistics, Probability | 25% |
| Algebra, Functions, Patterns | 25% |
| Part I with calculator 25 items, 45 min. | |
| Part II without calculator 25 items, 45 min. |
Q:
Who is eligible to take the GED Tests?
A:
- Residents of Colorado. Residency is defined as having a Colorado address.
- Adults 17 years of age or older.
- Persons who are not enrolled in an accredited high school.
- Those who have not already graduated from an accredited high school nor received a GED high school equivalency diploma.
Q:
What documentation is required to take
the GED Tests?
A:
When GED candidates register to take the GED Tests, they must provide
current photo identification that includes name, address, date of birth, and
signature. Acceptable current photo identification includes:
- Colorado Driver's License
- Photo ID cards issued by Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles
- Passport
- Military ID
- Other forms of national or foreign government ID
Q:
Where are the GED Tests offered?
A:
GED Tests are administered only by GED Testing Centers that have been
authorized by the national GED Testing Service and approved by the Colorado
Department of Education. No unauthorized sites may administer the GED
Tests. There are currently 34 official GED Testing Centers in Colorado,
and an additional 83 sites ("addendum sites") that are affiliated with GED
Testing Centers and authorized as GED testing locations. Each Testing
Center's testing schedule varies. To find out when the GED Tests are
administered and how to register at a Testing Center, contact the Center(s) of
your choice.
GED Testing Centers listed by
city
|
GED Testing Centers listed by
county
A:
The GED Diploma is awarded when a candidate receives a score of at least 410
on each of the five tests with an average score of 450 (or 2250 total points) on
all five tests.
- The score scales for the GED Tests are referenced to the performance of graduating high school seniors on the GED Tests.
- To ensure that scores reflect the performance of contemporary high school seniors, the tests are periodically checked.
- Scores range from a minimum of 200 to a maximum of 800 points for each of the five GED tests.
- Only an estimated 60% of high school graduates would pass the GED Tests at the minimum scores of 410 on each test and an average of 450 (2250 total points) on all five tests, according to the 2001 Norming Study.
Q:
Can GED candidates retest if they don't
pass the first time?
A:
Yes. Retests are administered using a form of the GED test/s different from
the form/s the candidate has already taken. Candidates do not have to
complete the full battery of five GED tests before they can retest on any single
test. Candidates that did not receive the minimum passing score of 410
points may retest on any of the five GED tests in order to bring the score up to
the minimum.
When candidates have received the minimum passing score of 410 points on each of
the GED tests and still have a total score of less than 2250, they may retest on
whichever tests they choose, as long as the form of the particular test is
different from the one that they took earlier.
If a candidate retests on the same test form, the retest score will be
automatically invalidated. Since there are only three test forms available in
the state each year, a candidate may test only three times during any given
year.
Q:
What is the GED Practice Test?
A:
The GED Practice Test is a shortened form of the GED Tests designed to
indicate whether or not a person is ready to take and pass the GED Tests.
Administered under timed conditions, it is a good predictor of success for the
English version of the GED Tests.
For information about taking the
GED Practice Test, contact a GED Testing Center
Q:
Is there a fee for taking the GED Tests?
A:
Most testing centers are supported primarily from fees charged for testing.
Since each testing center sets its own fee schedule, candidates should contact
the center where they plan to test. In some instances, testing centers or
preparation programs also charge a fee for taking the GED Practice Test.
Q: A: To receive testing
accommodations, candidates must complete a request form that fulfills these
criteria:
Download Accommodations Forms:
Q: A: GED percentile rankings represent the GED graduate's performance related to
the performance on the GED Tests of a representative group of graduating high
school seniors.
GED Standard Score and Estimated Class Rank
Are testing accommodations
available for candidates with special needs?
Adult learners with special needs may apply for special testing
accommodations if they can document that they are capable of passing the GED
Tests but are prevented from doing so because of a disabling condition.
Candidates with learning or physical disabilities may request modifications of
standard testing conditions based on documented special needs. Modifications
include extended testing time, assistance from a scribe, use of a calculator,
use of an audiocassette, testing in a private room and/or frequent supervised
breaks. Special editions of English-language GED Tests are available in Braille,
and large print formats when need is documented.
In addition to the listed criteria, requests for accommodations for specific
learning disabilities and/or ADHD must provide recent documentation of academic
achievement. Request forms are available at all Colorado GED Testing Centers and may be downloaded form this Web site.
Completed request forms must be reviewed by the testing center where the
candidate plans to test. Incomplete requests will be returned to the candidate
for completion. After review by the testing center, the request must be sent to
the State GED Testing Office for review and decision. In unusual cases, the
request will be forwarded to the national GED Testing Service for review.
Learning/Cognitive Disabilities.................................................................
Download
Physical/Chronic Health Disability...........................................................
Download
Emotional/Mental Health
Disability............................................................
Download
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder..................................................
Download
Checklist for
Completing Testing Accommodations Request Forms.......
Download
Testing Accommodations
Appeal............................................................
Download
How are GED test scores related to
rank-in-class?
Grade point average cannot be determined from GED test scores. However, GED
percentile ranks can be viewed as approximate class rank.
of Graduating High School Seniors
GED Score
Est. Class Rank
GED Score
Est. Class Rank
700
Top 1%
550
Top 25%
670
Top 2%
530
Top 33%
660
Top 3%
520
Top 40%
640
Top 5%
500
Top 50%
610
Top 10%
460
Top 55%
580
Top 15%
450
Top 60%
570
Top 20%
Understanding Your Scores
Q:
Can GED scores be used for college
admission?
A:
Nearly all colleges and universities in the U.S. accept the GED diploma as a
high school equivalency credential.
GED Tests cannot be used as a substitute for placement or admission tests.
Q:
Can GED test scores be upgraded by
retesting after a diploma has been awarded?
A:
Passing GED scores for candidates that have qualified for a GED diploma can
be upgraded ONLY if higher scores are required by an employer, a college or a
university. To upgrade scores, a candidate must have a letter from the college
or workplace, on its letterhead, identifying the minimum average score required
for employment or enrollment. The letter must be submitted to the State GED
Administrator for approval. The candidate will receive a letter from the State
GED Administrator either approving or not approving the request. The candidate
MUST receive approval BEFORE the tests are retaken.
GED Index |
For more information contact:
Chalmer Naugle,
303.866.6859