What to Expect on Test Day

For those testing in-person at a Test Center:

You need to check into the testing center at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled GED^® test appointment. If you arrive more than 15 minutes after your scheduled appointment time, you may not be admitted and could lose your test fee.

For those eligible to test for the GED Online Exam:

You will need to check in 30 minutes prior to your scheduled GED^® test appointment. Visit our Take the Online GED Test page for a complete tutorial of the online test experience. Here you can also run a system test to make sure your computer meets the requirements.

Admission Policy:  You are required to bring identification to your test appointment.  If you do not present proper ID or required information (per the jurisdiction policies) you will be turned away the day of testing and will lose your test payments.

For those testing in-person at a Test Center:

You are required to bring a non-expired, government-issued photo ID with you on test day and have the option of bringing a TI-30XS hand held calculator.

For those eligible to test for the GED Online Exam:

Visit our Take the Online GED Test page for a complete tutorial of the online test experience.  This page will help clarify which items are acceptable and which are prohibited.

For those testing in-person at a Test Center:

No, you will not need to memorize formulas for your GED^® test. You will be able to use the Formula Reference sheet on test day.

For those eligible to test for the GED Online Exam:

No, you will not need to memorize formulas for your GED^® test.  An online math reference sheet will be available as a drop down during the online test experience.  Additionally, an online calculator and scratch pad will be available. Visit our Take the Online GED Test page for a complete tutorial of the online test experience, including an opportunity to practice using the calculator tutorial.

For those testing in-person at a Test Center:

You will be given three erasable note boards and a marker to take in with you. All personal items must remain outside of the testing room in a secure area.

For those eligible to test for the GED Online Exam:

Visit our Take the Online GED Test page for a complete tutorial of the online test experience, including what you may or may not have with you during Online testing.

For those testing in-person at a Test Center:

When you schedule more than one subject in the same day, you will automatically be given a ten-minute break in between tests. Unscheduled breaks are not allowed, and your test will not be scored if you leave the room during an unscheduled break.

During scheduled breaks and lunches, you may access your personal items. If you need to leave the room, have questions about the test, or are experiencing problems with your computer, raise your hand and notify the test administrator. Learn more about test day.

For those eligible to test for the GED Online Exam:

You will schedule your GED online exams separately, therefore you may take all necessary breaks between your online test appointments.  Visit our Take the Online GED Test page for a complete tutorial of the online test experience.

The testing software contains a test-timer in the upper right-hand corner of the screen that you can minimize or keep in view.

Note: the timer cannot be minimized during the final few minutes of the test. We want to make sure you know when time is running out.

For those testing in-person at a Test Center:

Yes, the computer manages all of the timing on the test, although the test administrator will log you in and out of your test workstation.

For those eligible to test for the GED Online Exam:

An online computer timer will regulate your entire testing session.  A Greeter and Proctor will monitor your testing session and your session will be video recorded to ensure compliance of all online testing rules.

Please visit https://ged.com/take-the-ged-test-online/ for details about online testing. 

First, you can check here to see if your state offers online GED testing. Some states may also have specific age eligibility requirements. Once you log in to your GED.com account you will see a message to learn more about online testing if you’re eligible. You’ll also need to score ‘green’ on your GED Ready practice test within the last 60 days before you can schedule an online test.

Currently you are not allowed as many immediate attempts on the online GED test as you are with an in-person test if you don’t pass. If you don’t pass after two attempts, you will need to wait 60 days to schedule another online test. We want to be sure you have the best chance of passing the first time. Scoring green on the GED Ready test means you are likely to pass your GED test. 

We recommend you work on improving your internet connection before you schedule your Online Proctored GED test. If your internet connection isn’t strong and steady, it could fail and you would not get the chance to finish your test. Check that other devices aren’t accessing the internet in your household, try the system check at different times of the day to see if there is a time when your internet connection is strong, reboot your computer and close all other applications to see if that helps. 

Online proctors are working 24 hours a day which allows for appointment times around the clock. When you schedule your test be sure to note whether you chose an AM or PM appointment. For example, an appointment at 12:00 AM is actually midnight whereas an appointment at 12:00 PM is noon. Also note that your correct time zone is shown on the appointment. You can change your time zone on the scheduling page. If your appointment time isn’t correct you can easily reschedule it from your My Schedule page.