What Is a GED?

If you didn’t finish high school, a friend, family member, or coworker may have told you to look into getting your GED. But what is a GED? This article will define a GED certificate, explain how it can be obtained, and outline a few commonly asked questions. Read on to learn more about completing your high school education by earning a GED diploma.

What Is a GED?

If you’ve heard someone say, “I got my GED,” what they really mean is they passed the GED exam. This exam was originally created to measure General Educational Development (GED) and create an alternative path to finishing high school. Millions of people worldwide have yet to complete their high school education. Successfully passing the GED can change that!

A GED diploma (or GED certificate) is a high school equivalency credential awarded to anyone who takes and passes all four sections of the GED test. The GED diploma is awarded by the GED testing service and is recognized as a standard of achievement worldwide.

Is a GED Better Than a High School Diploma?

If you are currently in high school and working towards earning a traditional high school diploma, it is wise to continue that path. If you are struggling academically, mentally, financially, or emotionally, there may be support systems at your school to help you persist through to graduation.

Many students, however, find themselves unable to stay in school and complete their high school education in this manner. The reasons for exiting a traditional school system are numerous, diverse, and often deeply personal. While life circumstances may have altered your course, a GED credential can level the playing field and help you make up for lost time. The GED offers students the opportunity to quickly and affordably fill in a foundational academic gap and move forward in study, work, and life.

The fear, however, rests in trusting the value of a GED diploma. Countless students have asked, “Is a GED not as good as a diploma?” or “Is it bad to get a GED instead of a diploma?” Whether you left high school 20 days or 20 years ago, earning a GED diploma can afford you many of the same rights and privileges as a traditional high school graduate. The negative stigma surrounding the GED has changed dramatically. In fact, 98% of all colleges, vocational schools, and employers view GED graduates in the same way they would a traditional graduate. Both a GED certificate and a high school diploma show you have completed a high school education and are ready to take on extended academic and vocational opportunities.

To compare the GED and a high school diploma further, check out this article: GED vs. High School Diploma.

GED Test: A Doorway to GED Certification

If you are considering earning your GED, you may be wondering how hard it is to pass the GED. Let’s first explore the basics of what the GED covers and what is expected to pass.

The GED exam measures the ability to read and reason through material related to language arts, math, social studies, and science. Obtaining a minimum score of 145 in each subject section certifies that the student has exhibited strong skills in these core academic subjects. Those hoping to pursue higher education should strive to reach a 165 or higher, as this score indicates college readiness.

The exam can be taken at a local test center or, in most states, online at home. Many students consider math to be the most difficult section. Refreshing your skills in this area will be helpful. The important thing to remember is that test-makers do not expect perfection. They are assessing your critical thinking skills across subjects and care more about applying what you know than displaying a wide range of facts and figures. For this reason, reading is the most important skill to strengthen for the GED exam.

What Is a GED Course?

While the GED exam can be taken without completing an official test-prep program, taking a GED preparation course is a terrific way to ensure test readiness. Preparation courses afford students the opportunity to review and strengthen key skills and take practice tests to ensure they are ready to test. Many students find passing the GED easier and faster with the help of a certified prep course.

Quality GED courses are aligned with the GED exam. That means the study material will address the same type of material required to pass and ask the same kind of questions as the actual test. GED Academy is designed to offer testers full preparation for the GED exam by teaching students not only what they need to know but also how to use that knowledge to build confidence and pass the test.

GED Requirements

While the specific requirements to take the GED exam differ from state to state, there are two universal requirements to test. All students must be officially withdrawn from high school and all testers must complete the free registration process at ged.com. It is vital to read and understand exactly what your state mandates prior to testing. Age and residency requirements, as well as pre and post-exam needs, vary from state to state. Even cost differs by location. Each subject exam must be paid in full at or prior to testing. Fees range from free to upwards of $35 per subject test. Be sure to check GED Costs by State and learn more about all GED Requirements.

Pros and Cons of Getting a GED

If you are close to completing a traditional high school education and feel confident you will graduate in a timely manner, stick with it. However, if for whatever reason a traditional diploma is out of reach, a GED credential is a more than acceptable alternative.

The negative stigma surrounding a high school equivalency certificate has changed, as more colleges and employers assess the very real and understandable obstacles some students face in obtaining a traditional diploma. Admissions and human resource professionals alike are looking more and more at the quality of the candidates and the skills they possess rather than the path taken to earn those skills.

More Questions About GED?

Check out a few more frequently asked questions about earning your GED diploma.

• Can you still succeed with a GED?

Many accomplished professionals began their road to success with a GED. From celebrities and CEOs to small business owners, educators, and medical practitioners, the GED can lead to success in any path of your choosing.

• Do colleges accept a GED?

Yes! 98% of all colleges and universities accept GED credentials in the same way they would a traditional high school diploma. Admission and enrollment requirements vary by institution so be sure to ask a lot of questions upon applying to the school of your choice.

• Can you join the military with a GED?

Yes! Just as individual requirements for GED testing differ by state, military requirements for GED graduates vary by branch. Some divisions require only a GED credential, while others ask applicants to complete a few additional requirements. All applicants, regardless of how they complete high school, must have a clean background check and show that they are physically fit. Some branches will ask applicants to take an additional exam called the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). Be sure to meet with your local recruiter to learn more about the requirements of your specific career path.

*As of March 2024, the U.S. Navy no longer requires enlistees to have a high school diploma or GED as long as they score a 50 or higher on the Armed Forces Qualification Test that all prospects must take.

• Does having a GED really matter?

Yes! Completing high school through a traditional diploma or a high school equivalency credential (GED) is an important first step in growing academically and professionally. This foundational step is the beginning of obtaining a career that is both profitable and fulfilling. The sky truly is the limit!

• Is the GED accepted in other countries?

Yes! Approximately 90 countries, including the United States, offer the GED test, and the GED diploma is known and respected worldwide.