GED Tests

The GED (Tests of General Educational Development) consists of five tests which measure achievement in these high school subject areas:

• writing skills
• social studies
• science
• interpreting literature and the arts
• mathematics

The minimum age to take the GED is 16. In order to take the GED, minors between 16 and 18 years of age must have either:

• written consent from their parent or guardian, or
• notification of withdrawal from the school they last attended

Where to Take the GED

• The GED testing program is offered by all 58 community colleges in North Carolina, and is administered by the American Council of Education.
• The GED test is not available online; students must physically go to a community college to take the test.

Receiving Your GED Diploma

• To receive a GED diploma, students must achieve minimum standard scores of 40 on each of the 5 tests and a total score of 225.
• There is no limit on the number of times the GED can be taken; students may take the tests until they receive a passing score.
• When the GED is passed, a high school diploma equivalency is awarded to the student by the State Board of Community Colleges.

Costs for the GED

• There is a $ 7.50 fee to take the GED In North Carolina. It is usually paid before the first test and includes the entire series.
• Retests are free, with the exception of the writing test. Because essays are sent off to be scored, there is a fee of $2.50 for each writing retest.
• There is no cost for GED diplomas or transcripts.

For more information on the GED, contact the North Carolina Community College System at (919) 733-7051.