GED FAQs

What are the GED Tests?

Who is eligible to take the GED Tests?

• 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.

What documentation is required to take the GED Tests?

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

Where are the GED Tests offered?

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.

Colorado GED Testing Centers

What are the passing scores for a GED high school equivalency diploma and how can they be interpreted?

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.

Can GED candidates retest if they don't pass the first time?

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.

What is the GED Practice Test?

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

Is there a fee for taking the GED Tests?

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. As of July 1, 2011, the GED battery costs between $110-$150 in Colorado.

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.

For Accommodations applications, and guidelines to applying for GED Testing Accommodations, please click here.

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. 

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
of Graduating High School Seniors