There are more than 6,000 official GED Testing Centers in the United States and its territories, and several hundred in other countries. Testing centers are most often in
adult-education centers,
community colleges, and
public schools. Students in
metropolitan areas may be able to choose from several testing locations. Official GED Testing Centers are controlled environments. All testing sessions take place either in person or online according to specific rules, and security measures are enforced. Breaks may be permitted between tests, depending on how many tests are being administered in a session. There may be restrictions on what test-takers may bring into the testing room. There are approximately three to six GED test forms in circulation at any time. This helps catch test-takers who may be
cheating. As with any
standardized test, the various test forms are calibrated to the same level of difficulty. The GED has also been administered online since January 2020, but some states (Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, New York, Maine, Massachusetts, West Virginia, Wyoming) do not recognize the GED earned this way.
Eligibility Regulations governing who is eligible to take the GED vary by state. According to GED Testing Service policy, students at least 16 years old and not enrolled in high school are eligible for the program. However, many states require the candidate to be 17 years old and a resident of the state. Some states that allow students under 17 years of age to take the test require a letter of parental consent and a letter of consent from the student's school district. In South Africa and Namibia, students who are at least 17 years old are eligible.
Cost The cost of the GED test for test-takers varies depending on the state. , costs in Maryland were $45, free in New York, but the typical fees are $120 for all four tests, or $30 for each of the four subject tests. There is an additional fee to take the test online, typically $6 per test. The cost of each test outside of the U.S. is $80 each. In Canada the testing is free in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and the Northwest Territories. For the remaining provinces and territories the price varies between $6 per test in Newfoundland and Labrador to $40 per test in Alberta.
Students with disabilities People with disabilities who want to take the GED test may be entitled to receive reasonable testing accommodations. If a qualified professional has documented the disability, the candidate should get the appropriate form from the Testing Center: •
Physical disability and
chronic-health disability (such as
blindness, low vision, hearing impairment, and mobility impairment): "Request for Testing Accommodations—Physical/Chronic Health Disability" form •
Learning or cognitive disability (such as
dyslexia,
dyscalculia, receptive
aphasia, and written-language disorder): "Request for Testing Accommodations—Learning and Other Cognitive Disabilities" form •
Emotional or
mental-health disorder (such as
bipolar disorder,
Tourette's syndrome, and
schizophrenia): "Request for Testing Accommodations—Emotional/Mental health" form •
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (inattentive type, hyperactive–impulsive type, or combined type): "Request for Testing Accommodations—Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder" form The candidate returns the completed form to the GED testing center. Each request is considered individually. If accommodations are approved, the local GED testing examiner conducts the testing with the approved accommodations, which are provided at no extra charge. Accommodations may include, but are not limited to: •
Audio cassette tests •
Braille or large-print tests • Vision-enhancing technologies • Use of video equipment • Use of a talking calculator or abacus • Use of a
sign language interpreter • Use of a scribe (a person who writes down the test-taker's answers) • Extended testing time ==Passing the GED testing battery==