Information about the GED Exam - for Students in New York State

This document includes basic information about the GED exam for students in adult education. If you have further questions or suggestions for information we could share, please contact the CUNY Adult Literacy Program at cunyadultliteracyprogram@gmail.com.

Table of Contents

Basic information about the GED Test        1

Preparing for the GED        2

Signing up for GED.com        2

Registering for the Test        6

The Day of the Test        8

Passing the GED        8

Accommodations on the GED        10

Immigrant students, the GED, and in-state tuition at CUNY        11

More information about the GED        11

Basic information about the GED Test

Subjects on the GED

There are four subject tests in the GED Test:

• Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA)
• Social Studies
• Science
• Mathematical Reasoning

How long is the test?

All four subject tests of the GED take about 7 ½ hours total, not including breaks. You can schedule to take the individual tests on different days. If you schedule more than one subject in the same day, you will be given a ten-minute break in between tests. We do not recommend taking all four subjects in one day.

Preparing for the GED

Do I need to attend a high school equivalency program?

No, but statistics show that people who participate in adult education programs are more likely to pass a high school equivalency exam.

To find an high school equivalency program:

• You can find a CUNY adult education program at http://literacy.cuny.edu 
• The NYSED site lists state-funded programs: https://www.acces.nysed.gov/aepp/find-adult-education-program 
• After logging in to GED.com, students can also visit this page to find local classes: https://app.ged.com/portal/study/localClasses.

What free materials can I use to study for the exam?

Free independent study materials for the GED exam: This collection of study materials includes reading, grammar/punctuation, science, social studies, and many topics in math.

Signing up for GED.com

If you are planning to take the GED exam, you will first need to sign up for GED.com. Please do not pay for anything on the GED.com web site. The GED is free in New York State, by law. You will get free study materials from the teachers in your adult education program.

How to sign up for GED.com

1. Go to http://ged.com and click SIGN UP on the top right corner.

2. Enter your email address and create a password. You can choose any password, but please write it down so that you don’t forget it.

3. In the next screen, enter your name, birthdate, address, etc.

Note: For students in New York State, make sure that you enter a New York address. This will make sure that you aren’t charged for the test, since the GED is free in New York. (The test isn’t free in other states.)

4. In the next screen, enter your phone number. Do not check the boxes below unless you want advertisements and offers from GED.com.

5. In the next screen, your testing location should be New York.

6. In the next screen, please answer Yes to the question, Are you interested in attending GED classes? Say yes even if you are already attending GED classes.

7. Choose your preparation program so they can get credit when you pass the GED!

Note: Choosing your adult education program in GED.com is important for your adult education program to remain open and free to all students, so please make sure to choose your school as a preparation program.

8. In the next screen, enter the zip code for your preparation program. You can enter your own zip code, but it will be easier if you know the zip code for your adult education program.

Example: The BMCC Adult Learning Center is in zip code 10281.

9. Click Select when you find your adult education program. Your selected program should appear above the map:

10. In the next screen, check the box to indicate that you are a resident of New York and can show an ID when you test.

What if I already created a GED.com account, but did not add my preparation program?

No problem. If you already created a GED.com account and didn’t add your preparation program, it’s not too late. Log in and click on Profile on the top right:

Scroll to the bottom of the profile page and click EDIT PREP CENTER SELECTION to add your adult education program.

That’s it! You can now log into GED.com to sign up for the GED test.

Registering for the Test

How do I sign up to take the GED exam?

To schedule:

1. Log into your GED.com account. (Create an account if you don’t have one already.)
2. Click on “Schedule Test.”
3. Select Exam Language: English or Spanish.
4. Choose which test subjects you want to take.
5. Read and agree to GED Testing Service policies. This document is important, since it tells you what you have to bring with you, what you can bring, and what you can’t bring into the testing center.
6. Pick a test center that has a day and time that works for you. (It can be challenging to find a test date. Please talk with a case manager at your program for advice on scheduling a test date.)

What kinds of support are available for all testers during the exam?

Anyone taking the GED can request the following accommodations. You must request these accommodations in advance:

• large print or Braille
• special lighting
• earplugs
• seat cushion
• scratch/scrap paper
• directions using American Sign Language
• tinted plastic overlays for the paper test
• changes in text color on the computer-based test
• the math formula reference sheet

If a student would like any of these accommodations, no supporting documents are needed. However, you must request the accommodation through your GED.com account.

Can I take the GED on paper instead on a computer?

The registration for paper-based testing is different from computer-based testing. Log into GED.com. Go to the top right of the Home page and click Notifications, then scroll down to the bottom of the notifications to where it says, “Your state offers paper testing. Learn more about testing on paper.” Click there and then you can proceed to select a paper-based test center. Call the test center to ask whether you can take the test on paper on their next test date.

Click the icon of a bell for notifications.

Click this link at the bottom of your notifications.

This is the direct link to paper-based testing instructions: https://app.ged.com/portal/paper/steps (You must be logged into GED.com)

Note: Not all test centers offer the test on paper. You must find the test centers that offer the test on paper.

What happens if I don’t show up for an exam or cancel less than 24 hours before the exam?

If you wish to reschedule or cancel your test, you must contact Pearson VUE through GED.com or by phone 24 hours (one full business day) prior to your scheduled appointment. You can reschedule your appointment by logging in to GED.com or by contacting Pearson VUE. If you do not cancel or reschedule a subject test at least 24 hours in advance, you will be counted as a "No Show" and will be required to wait 60 days before scheduling another test.

Contact information for GED/Pearson VUE: https://ged.com/contact_us/ 

If I take only one or two sections, do I still need to wait 60 days to retest?

In New York State, you must wait 60 days before retaking any failed subject/subtest and may only retake a given subject/subtest three times per year. This means you can take one test this week, a different test next week, etc. You don’t have to wait if you are taking a different subtest. But if you fail a subtest, you will need to wait 60 days before retaking that subtest.

The Day of the Test

You should check into the testing center at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment.

What should I bring with me on the day of the test?

• At least one valid government-issued identification with a signature, such as a driver's license or passport. If you use a passport or NYS Benefit card with a photo, a valid proof of address must also be provided.
• Snacks, water
• TI-30XS Calculator (not required, but helpful)

Passing the GED

What score do I need to get?

You must score at least 145 in all four test subjects to earn your GED credential.

Do passing Regents test scores count for the GED?

Did you attend a high school in NY and pass any of the Regents Examinations? If you did, that Regents exam can be used towards earning your diploma. For example, if you passed the Social Studies Regents, you can get credit for passing the Social Studies section of the GED. Up to three Regents Examination scores can count towards passing the GED. You must take and pass at least one GED subject test to earn a NYS HSE diploma. The application and instructions for requesting Regents credits can be found here: https://www.acces.nysed.gov/hse/application-r 

Will all previously passed tests be accepted?

You do not need to retake any tests you have already passed. If you have questions about which tests you passed, contact HSE@nysed.gov. The state of New York will combine all your scores, past and new, to award your diploma. The GED RLA includes both reading and writing (essay and grammar questions). If you previously passed either the TASC Writing or TASC Reading subtest, but not both, you will need to take the RLA.

When can I retake the test?

If you fail a subject, you may retake that subject test after 60 days. You can’t take a subject test more than three times in a calendar year. Once you pass a subject test, you cannot take it again to try for a higher score.

How much do students have to pay for the test, the practice exam, or readiness materials?

You should not pay for anything related to the GED. The cost of the test is paid by New York State. Study materials will be supplied by our educational programs. Please do not pay for the readiness test or study materials.

Can I take the GED in Spanish? Is the GED offered in other languages?

You can test in English or Spanish. You can combine subjects/subtests from different languages to earn your diploma. However, the diploma will be awarded in the language you test on for the Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) subject/subtest.

Accommodations on the GED

What are accommodations?

Testing accommodations remove barriers to the test-taking process so that students are able to demonstrate what they know. Testing accommodations can include things like extra testing time, more breaks, or a separate testing room. Testing accommodations do not change the content or the skills that the GED measures.

Can I get an accommodation on the GED?

Some accommodations are available to everyone, while others are only available for people with documented disabilities. See Registering for the GED section for information on accommodations that are available to everyone.

Who requests accommodations - is it me, the test center staff, my program?

You will apply for accommodations during the GED account registration process. Required documents must be uploaded into your GED account. Test center staff, teachers, program case managers, or other adult education staff may be able to assist you with the accommodations process.

What disabilities qualify for an accommodation on the GED test?

Students with documented learning and other cognitive disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), psychological and psychiatric disorders, or physical and chronic health conditions qualify for accommodations.

What accommodations are available only to people with disabilities?

Assistive technology (e.g. tablet or computer) to help with writing, test read aloud, text-to-speech software, breaks, extra time, scribe, special seating or furniture, small group setting, and a private testing room. Note that these accommodations must be applied for and approved before the test.

Where can I receive an evaluation for a disability?

Several testing clinics in New York provide free or low-cost evaluations: https://www.ldrfa.org/learning-disability-assessment. You may also be able to get an evaluation paid for by health insurance or Medicaid.

Immigrant students, the GED, and in-state tuition at CUNY

What if I have a high school degree from another country? Do I still need to pass the GED?

It depends on your status in this country. It also depends on whether you want to go to college. In New York State, immigrant students are eligible for in-state college tuition (which is much cheaper than out-of-state tuition) and tuition assistance, if you meet certain requirements.

• If you are undocumented (no formal status), you will need to pass the GED and enter college within five years of getting your high school equivalency diploma in order to be eligible for in-state college tuition and tuition assistance. (For Undocumented Student Support at CUNY, visit http://cuny.edu/undocu).
• If you have temporary legal status (DACA, TPS, asylum granted or pending) you are eligible for in-state tuition if you have been a resident in New York State for at least one year. However, in order to be eligible for tuition assistance like TAP, you will need to pass the GED and enter college within five years of getting your high school equivalency diploma in order to be eligible for the New York State Dream Act.
• If you have permanent legal status (green card or citizenship) and a high school degree from another country, you do not need to pass the GED in order to receive in-state tuition and tuition assistance, though you must be able to prove you have been a resident in New York State for at least one year.

For more information on who is eligible for in-state college tuition at CUNY: http://www1.cuny.edu/sites/citizenship-now/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/media-assets/Who-is-Eligible-to-Pay-In-State-Tuition-Brochure.pdf

Note: Students who have a high school diploma from another country and want to attend CUNY should email the support team at ImmigrantStudents@cuny.edu before they get their international degrees evaluated.

More information about the GED

New York State policies for the GED - This web page gives information about how the GED is given in New York State: https://ged.com/policies/new_york/ 

Computer Based Test Tutorial - This free resource allows students and teachers to practice using the computer based test portal: https://ged.com/practice-test/en/computer-demonstrator/ 

Contact for questions about the GED:

New York State High School Equivalency (HSE) Office

HSE Call center: (518)474-5906 (Tues – Thurs, 10-12)

General questions: hse@nysed.gov 

Some questions you might ask:

• If you haven’t received your diploma or transcript of your scores: What were my scores? Has my diploma been sent out? What address was it sent to?

• Which tests do I still need to pass?
• When am I eligible to retest?

Contact GED/Pearson Vue:

1-877-EXAM-GED (877-392-6433)

Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. CT