For individuals that couldn’t complete high school, the GED test is an excellent pathway to more educational and professional opportunities. The exam is only offered in a computer-based version. On this page, we’ll take a closer look at what you can expect on GED test day.
First off, it is important to realize that the exam of General Education Development (GED®) is a challenging assessment that measures academic proficiency via four separate, modular sub-exams covering the subject areas of Science, Mathematics, Social Studies, and English Literacy.
You really need to spend a lot of time preparing for the four sub-exams that can, if you wish, be taken one at a time.
There are several websites that offer free online GED prep courses, and many community colleges offer GED prep material at no cost as well.
What To Expect On GED Test Day
These days, you can sit for the four GED exams at one of your state’s designated HSE (High school Equivalency) testing centers, but the exam can be taken online as well by students that achieve “green” (passing) scores on the official GED practice test, GED Ready®.
The GED exam includes multiple-choice, drop-down, fill-in-the-blank, hot-spot, and more question types that all must be answered in a computer-based format. On the English Language test, you must also write a five- or six-paragraph essay. Across each of the four GED sections, you will see at least one question type.
If you take the exam online, a proctor will check your identity, adjust your computer so you can use the testing software, and go over your testing room to guarantee the integrity of the exam. All personal items must be removed from your room, which must be closed.
At a test center, all materials will be provided on test day, including a whiteboard for scratchwork and notes. Phones are not permitted, both when testing online and at a test center.
Be In Time At The GED Test Site
You cannot bring any personal items into the testing room, nor are any other belongings allowed besides functional test-taking materials. There’ll be some vacant storage space at the test center, but first come, first served.
GED testers who come too late to the test center will not be allowed to sit for the test, and the money they paid for testing will not be refunded.
So, please be well aware of the location and time of your GED test, and get there as early as you possibly can. We recommend you arrive at the testing facility at least a half-hour ahead of your scheduled testing time.
What’s On The GED Test?
The GED exam matches closely with what students learn in an average four-year high school curriculum. The GED exam prepares test-takers for a good position in the contemporary workplace and offers real-world academic exposure for success in college and university environments.
All questions encountered on the GED exam have some sort of relevance to either the working world or academics in post-secondary educational institutions.
To be successful on the GED test, be sure to take lots of practice tests. This way, you can identify the academic areas that require your attention the most, and additionally, you will get familiar with the format of the GED exam.
You can only earn your GED diploma when you attain passing scores in every section. The GED test is modular, meaning you can take each GED subtest separately rather than taking the entire GED battery all at once, as is the case with other tests like the ACT or SAT.
We advise you to take that GED subtest first which is easiest for you. This way, you will be able to boost your self-confidence and get acquainted with the question types found on the GED exam and the testing format.
GED Registration
Once you’ve reached passing scores on all four GED subject tests, your state will award you your GED diploma. To register for the GED exam, you’ll have to create an account with the website GED.com.
Online testing is only available for students that have first reached scores in the “green” (passing) zone on the official GED Ready practice tests. There’s a practice test for each testing field, so four in total. You can buy the GED Ready test for $6.99 on the GED.com website (so $28 overall).
Students that prefer to get ready for their GED exam with an online course may sign up very well for the GED preparatory program designed by Onsego.
GED Testing Service qualifies Onsego’s online course as one of only 20 programs that are completely in line with the latest edition of the GED test. Onsego’s Advantage Plans also include four vouchers for the GED Ready test at no cost, a $28 value!