Paper-Based & Computer-Based GED - Frequently Asked Questions
The tests of General Educational Development are directed by the American Council on Education. A GED credential, the Certificate of Educational Development, documents that you have high school level academic skills.
Who can take the GED test?
The GED test is for adult residents of this state, at least 19 years of age, who have not graduated from high school, have not received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate and are not currently enrolled in a regular high school.
Candidates who are 16-18 years of age must provide written approval from the school district in which they reside or a notarized statement on the completion of a home-based instruction program in order to be eligible for GED testing. The GED Tests cannot be administered to persons under 16 years of age.
1.) An Appointment
2.) Approved Photo Identification
3.) Receipt from OC Cashier (paper-based only)
4.) Appropriate form if candidate is 16-18 years of age.
Official government-issued identification that shows name, address, date of birth, signature and a photograph is required each at each testing appointment.
An official document showing a Washington State address is required with forms of ID that do not include an address (to satisfy Residency Requirement)
Approved forms of identification (must be current/unexpired):
- State-issued driver's license
- State-issued identification card with a photograph
- United States Armed Forces ID
- United States passport
- Unexpired foreign passport
- Court-approved identification
Contact the Washington State Department of Licensing for information on obtaining a WA state ID. Here is a link to their website with DOL locations and document requirements: WA DOL - ID cards
Pay for the Paper-Based GED Tests at the OC Cashier - located in the Humanities & Student Services building on the first floor. Candidates should visit the Cashier first so the appropriate receipt can be submitted to the Assessment & Testing Center at the appointment check-in time. The GED Battery receipt is a full-sized sheet of green paper with "Form L-5 Verification of Elegibility to Take the GED Tests" printed on one side. The Retake or single-subject receipt is a half-sized sheet of green paper. You should know your SSN, as part of your SSN and last name are used to create your ID number. The GED Testing Fees are Non-Refundable and Duplicate Receipts WILL NOT be issued. Take care to store your receipt safely until check-in if payment is made prior to the first day of testing.
Candidates aged 16-18 must submit the appropriate form. For candidates who attended high school, the "Request for Approval to Test for GED" form is issued from the last high school attended or the school district in which the candidate now resides. For home-schooled candidates, the Assessment & Testing Center has the form that must be notarized. It is a statement that the candidate has completed a program of home-based instruction.
What are the Time Limits for the Paper-based GED Subject Test?
Language Arts, Writing – 120 minutes
Language Arts, Reading – 65 minutes
Social Studies – 70 minutes
Science – 80 minutes
Math, Part I – 45 minutes-calculator allowed; Math, Part II – 45 minutes-no calculator
What scores must I earn to pass?
In order to pass the GED test your Standard Score on each test must be at least 410 and the Total Standard Score must be at least 2250, a minimum average standard score of 450 for all five tests. All tests have a high score of 800.
When are my scores available?
Results of Paper-Based GED tests taken on Tuesday and Wednesday are available beginning after 12:00pm on the Monday after testing for all subjects except Language Arts - Writing. Writing results may take 2-3 weeks to post and are generally available after 12:00pm on the third Monday after the test was taken.
Results of Computer-Based GED Tests are available immediately (exception for Language Arts-Writing)
What if I do not pass a test?
If any one test is under the Standard Score of 410, then only that test must be retaken. If the average of the five tests is not 450, then any test may be retaken to increase your average. There is a fee charged per subject to retake any of the five subjects.
For Computer-Based GED Testing, visit this site for information or retaking a test: www.GEDtestingservice.com/secondshot
Paper-Based vs. Computer-Based GED Testing info:
Adults who take the GED® test on computer are scoring higher and finishing faster. In fact, 88% of people passed the GED® test on computer compared to 71% for those who tested on paper.
We’re so confident you’ll do well that if you don’t pass your first GED® test subject on computer, GED Testing Service will pay for your second shot! It’s that simple. You pass or they pay.
Visit www.GEDtestingservice.com/secondshot to learn more.
What if I need special accommodations because of a disability?
If you have a disability which might prevent you from taking the GED test in the usual way, please let one of our staff know so that special arrangements can be made. Do this several weeks in advance to allow time to process the necessary paperwork. The GED Administrator at the local and state level will examine documentation.
Both the GED Administrator and the GED Testing Service must approve the request. The GED Testing Service will notify the GED Administrator of its' decision and the Examiner will in turn notify the candidate. Accommodated GED Testing is done by appointment outside of the standard testing sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Please refer all questions regarding Accommodated GED Testing to the Chief GED Examiner.
GED preparation courses are offered through the Olympic College Adult Education program. Please call 360-475-7550 for details.
For information about what's on the test, what to expect, and how to prepare, see the Official GED website (see link at right).
How do I get a copy of a GED Transcript or Certificate that was earned in the past?
A person who has previously passed the GED test battery and needs a duplicate transcript or certificate can do one of three things:
1. Visit the Assessment & Testing Center in person during regular business hours to request the document. Photo identification is required.
2. Print out the Request for GED Transcript/Certificate form (OCRequestforGEDTranscriptCertificateandAuthorizationtoMailPickUp.doc) and mail or fax this to the Assessment & Testing Center (please do not send as an email attachment). The document requested will be mailed to the address given. Official GED Documents are not Faxed.
3. Send your own letter of request if unable to print out the Request for GED Transcript/Certificate form. Be sure that your request includes: Name at time of testing, social security number, date of birth, address, telephone number, a signature, and the address to which the document should be mailed.
Please note the following:
- Official GED documents can only be mailed; they cannot be faxed to any location.
- The Request for GED Transcript/Certificate form is to be mailed or faxed only; do not send it as an e-mail attachment.
- Duplicate certificates are created in Olympia, WA, and sent to the Assessment & Testing Center; our staff will mail the document to the address provided.
- Duplicate transcripts are printed here at the Assessment & Testing Center.
Is GED Testing only offered at the OC Bremerton campus?
If interested in GED testing at OC Shelton campus, please visit Shelton GED or call 360-432-5400.
GED® is a registered trademark of the American Council on Education and may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of the American Council on Education.
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