The GED® exam is developed by the American Council on Education to enable individuals who have not graduated from high school to obtain a high school equivalency diploma. The GED® test credential is recognized nationwide and is accepted by more than 95% of U.S. employers, colleges, and universities.
The GED® exam features a variety of question types, including multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, and essay. The full exam consists of a battery of four tests, covering mathematics, language arts, social studies, and science. The GED® tests measure knowledge, communication, information processing, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
The official GED® exam takes approximately seven and a half hours to complete. The test is typically broken up over multiple days of testing. Test-takers schedule which subtests they would like to take and when. You may choose to take one subject test at a time or multiple subtests on the same day.
Reasoning through Language Arts – 1 hour, 30 minutes
Mathematics –1 hour, 55 minutes
Science – 1 hour, 30 minutes
Social Studies – 1 hour, 30 minutes
The new exam is computer-based, costs $128, and requires some content knowledge from the Common Core Standards. It offers dual performance levels where test-takers can earn the high school equivalency credential as well as an additional endorsement that indicates college and career readiness.
The Online Proctored GED® Test was launched in May 2020 and is currently available in Florida. This testing option was created to help students continue testing while some test centers remain closed or have limited appointments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit the official GED Testing Service website for more information, including eligibility, what's needed to take the online test, and more about how the test works. The online test is available in English and Spanish.
You may also register over the phone by calling 1-877-EXAM-GED (1-877-392-6433) or through email by contacting help@ged.com.
The cost to take the GED® exam in Florida is $32 per module. The total cost to take each of the four subtests is $128 for first-time test-takers. Those who need to retake the test are eligible to receive two discounted retake opportunities per subject area.
In order to pass the exam and receive a State of Florida High School Diploma, you must earn a standard score of at least 145 on each of the four GED® subtests.
Each subtest is worth a set number of raw score points. Individual questions are worth different numbers of score points. For example, a test item with two drop-down selections would be worth two points, since the test-taker is being asked two separate things. In this case, it would be possible to earn 0, 1, or 2 points on that test item. A test-taker’s raw score is then scaled to a number from 100 to 200.
The score report will usually be available within 3 hours of testing. You will receive an e-mail when your scores are ready for viewing on MyGED.
If the candidate fails to earn scores high enough to receive a diploma, they can retake all or selected subject area tests to achieve passing scores. Testing centers may require candidates who do not pass the test to enroll in preparation classes or wait a predetermined amount of time before attempting to retest. Candidates may retake a subject at a discounted rate two times. If the test-taker does not pass a subject test after the third attempt, they will need to wait at least 60 days before attempting again and will need to pay full price to retake the test.
Each test-taker who does not pass their first attempt is eligible for two reduced-cost retests per subject area at a price of $12 each. After receiving two retakes at the reduced price, the price of the test subject returns to the regular price. If you fail that subject again, you will receive two more retakes at the reduced rate.
To be eligible to take the GED® exam, you must:
Not be enrolled in an accredited high school
Not have graduated from an accredited high school or received a high school diploma
Be 18 years of age or older*
Have a valid government-issued ID and Social Security card**
Most Florida counties may require that you be a resident of the area. Contact your local GED® Testing Center for more information on requirements in your county.
*Individuals under the age of 18 may be granted an age waiver by their local school district. Call your district superintendent’s officefor more information on how you can qualify to take the GED® test if you are 16 or 17 years of age.
**If you do not have a Social Security number, a record locator number will be assigned to you by the state GED® office.
In Florida, you can take the GED® exam in English or in Spanish.
There are many study and practice options available including classes in your area, online classes, and even television programs.
See Find a Program or call 1-800-237-5113 for free help finding GED® classes in your community.
See Studying for the GED® for online courses, study tips, practice exams, and more.
GED® Preparation classes are available throughout Florida. Some programs are free while others charge an enrollment fee, typically $30 to $45 for Florida residents. Find a GED® preparation program near you by using our online search directory, or call the Florida Literacy Hotline at 1-800-237-5113.
Nearly all United States colleges and universities accept the GED® diploma as an equivalency credential. GED® Tests cannot be used as a substitute for placement or admissions tests. To determine if a particular branch of the military will accept the GED® diploma, it is recommended that the examinee contact their local recruiting office.
All test-takers will have the ability to alter the color/contrast settings and increase the font size of their exam without the need for accommodations.
Test accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis and include things such as extra testing time, extra breaks, and a separate testing room.
Yes, but this is exclusively for candidates with a disability that makes use of the computer impossible. This accommodation is not for comfort, convenience, or a lack of computer skills.
To be comfortable taking the GED® exam, test-takers should know how to:
Use a mouse, including clicking, scrolling, and dragging and dropping
Operate a scroll bar
Use a keyboard
Copy and paste
Undo and redo edits
Use an on-screen calculator
Use on-screen navigation buttons such as Previous, Next, and Close
Students should practice with the tutorials available on GED.com to learn about various question types and become familiar with how the test works with a screen reader application.
GED® is a registered trademark owned by the American Council on Education
and licensed by GED Testing Service LLC. Used by permission.
For more information visit GED.com.
