Massachusetts

FAQs for Earning a GED in Massachusetts

Top Policies

In Massachusetts, you must be 18 years of age or older to take the GED^® test.

If you are 16 or 17 years old, you cannot schedule any GED^® test until an official Letter of Withdrawal from the last school you attended has been approved by the Massachusetts High School Equivalency Office. The Letter of Withdrawal must contain the following information:

Be on school letterhead, including the address and phone number.
Includes your last date of attendance and your date of withdrawal.
Come from the office of the Principal/Headmaster or the Head of Guidance
Must be signed by the Principal/Headmaster or the Head of Guidance.

You may submit your letter by email to HSET@mass.gov.

You will be contacted via email by the HSE Team within three business days of the receipt of your letter and the required information.

Once you have received email approval of your Letter of Withdrawal, you will be able to go back into your account and schedule your tests.

For more information or assistance, please email Ms. Stroud or call her at 781-338-6625. Additional information about high School Equivalency testing in Massachusetts can be found here.

Once approved,you will receive an email from GED Testing Service notifying you that you are able to schedule your GED^® test.

In order to take the GED® test in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you must be living at a Massachusetts address, the same address you used to register and create your account.

If you have more questions, please contact Sianna Loftus, State Administrator and High School Equivalency Specialist at 781-338-3841.

You must present proper identification at the test center for each test session. Failure to provide documentation will prohibit you from taking the test. Valid identification documents must contain:

Your name
Your date of birth
You signature
A recent photograph

The approved identification documents include:

A valid Passport
A valid driver’s license from any state
A state-issued ID card
National ID card
Military ID card

Some states allow people who don’t live there to take the GED^® test and others don’t. You’ll need to check the residency requirement for the state that you’re interested to test in.

No, you are not required to prepare for the GED^® test in an adult education classroom.

For those testing in-person at a Testing Center:

No, you’re not required to take the GED Ready® practice test before taking the official GED® test.

To take the GED^® test in Massachusetts you cannot be enrolled in any secondary school program nor can you have previously received a high school diploma or high school equivalency credential. If you have earned a high school diploma but the documentation of that fact cannot be obtained or verified, you may be eligible to take the GED^® test. Please contact Sianna Loftus, State Administrator and High School Equivalency Specialist at 781-338-3841 for more information.

Price & Payment

How much does the GED® test cost?

What is my cost if I test at a Test Center?

Massachusetts charges $36 per subject for the GED® test at a Test Center.

Free GED testing!

Massachusetts will pay for your first GED test in each subject and two retakes for each subject while funding lasts. View terms and conditions ›

Voucher codes

- First test in a subject: MAFREEGED1
- Retake in a subject: MARETAKE
- Second retake in a subject: MAFREEGED1

How do I pay for the test?

Test Retake Policies

If I don’t pass, how long do I have to wait before taking the test again?

How much does it cost to retake the GED‌®‌ test?

For those testing in-person at a Testing Center:

You will receive one discounted* retake for every GED® test subject you purchase but don’t pass. You have 365 days after your full price test to use this retake. This retake offer (1 full price:1 discount) repeats until you pass the test. GED Testing Service waives its $26 testing fee, however additional testing fees may still apply in your state.

*In Massachusetts, there is a $10 test center fee for GED® test retakes.

Transcripts & Diploma

I passed the GED® test but Massachusetts won’t issue my diploma. What do I do?

Sorry to hear that you’re having trouble with your diploma. In Massachusetts all credentials and transcripts are issued by the Commonwealth’s verification partner, Diploma Sender. Diploma Sender requires recent passers to contact them with a current address before the issuance of the initial Credential and Official Transcript. You can go onto their website, Diploma Sender, create an account, and check on the status of your documents. Please contact Sianna Loftus State Administrator and High School Equivalency Specialist at 781-338-3841 for more information.

How do I request my transcript and diploma?

What is the GED® credential in my state called?

Other

Can I take all of the GED® test subjects at once or do I need to setup different appointment times?

Can I take the GED® Test in other languages? Am I allowed to combine languages to credential?

Yes, in Massachusetts, you can take the GED^® Test in English or Spanish and you can combine the two languages to earn your credential.

All credentials will be printed in English. Transcripts will be printed in English and will show subtest taken, subtest score, subtest form and subtest language.

Candidates who received a Spanish credential after 2001 may request a credential in English by contacting the DESE/ACLS HSE team in writing at HSET@mass.gov.

What happens if I move to a different state in the middle of testing? Can I continue my testing in my new state or do I have to start all over?

Who is the GED Administrator™ in Massachusetts?

How to Get a GED^® in Massachusetts

Congratulations on taking your first step toward earning your GED^® in Massachusetts! Getting a GED^® credential is a significant achievement that can open the door to a range of opportunities, from improving career aspects to higher education and personal growth.

As you embark on this path, it’s essential to consider the various options available for GED^® preparation, including in-person and GED^® classes online in Massachusetts. Both formats offer distinct advantages and cater to different learning styles and preferences. Today, we’ll explore the pros of these popular class formats, providing insight to help you make an informed decision about the best approach to achieve your GED^® goals.

Creating Your Online Account

Creating your free GED.com account will provide you access to a wealth of resources and help you earn your GED^® online in Massachusetts. We make signup fast and easy. Just set an email address and password for your account, follow the on-screen prompts, and be prepared to provide personal information like the following:

Your full name
Your date of birth
Your mailing address
Your contact information

Classes and Testing Centers Near You

For students who prefer a more traditional approach to learning, in-person GED^® classes offer a more structured educational experience and benefits, such as:

Direct Interactions: In an in-person class, you’ll receive face-to-face instruction and participate in real-time discussions with instructors and students.
Peer Support: Being part of an in-person class allows you to connect with fellow GED^® students, potentially creating a more supportive network to motivate one another, study together, or share experiences.
Accountability: Having a set schedule establishes a sense of accountability, which can help some students remain disciplined, motivated, and focused on their GED^® goals.

Find in-person GED^® classes and testing centers near you using your city and state or zip code. You can view your in-person course options with location and contact information. Ready to take the test at a testing center near you? Use your GED.com account to schedule your GED^® test at a local testing center.

Online Classes

Did you know you can earn your GED^® online in Massachusetts? Online classes provide greater flexibility and convenience, making education accessible to more residents within the state. Many prominent benefits of attending online GED^® courses include:

Accessibility: Online classes eliminate geographical barriers, making class accessibility better for individuals living in rural communities or with limited transportation options.
Self-Paced Learning: Self-paced learning environments allow you to move through your coursework at a speed that suits you best. This flexibility helps accommodate distinct learning styles and lets you spend more time on challenging topics.
Technological Resources: In addition to your online classes, you’ll enjoy a wealth of resources and information, including study guides and practice tests, using your free GED.com account.
Flexibility: One of the most prominent benefits of attending GED^® classes online is the ability to study at your own pace, your own schedule, and from the comfort of your own home. You’ll be free to access and complete course materials whenever and wherever you choose.

GED.com makes it easy to enroll in online GED^® classes. Just log into your account and select “Study,” then “Find GED^® Classes” to review your online options.

Ready to Earn Your GED^® in Massachusetts?

Are you ready to begin earning your GED^® in Massachusetts? Open the door to more opportunities in your career, education, and personal life by taking the next step toward a GED^® credential. Find where you can take GED^® tests or GED^® classes in Massachusetts now.

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