Ready, Set, Test – Taking the GED® Test to Obtain a High School Equivalency (HSE) Diploma

New York State HSE test centers administer the General Educational Development Test (GED® Test) as the state’s high school equivalency (HSE) exam. The GED Test is produced by GED Testing Service (GEDTS) for national use. New York State pays the cost of testing for New York State residents who are age eligible. Please see: NYS Policies for GED Testing. Register online for a GED account and schedule a computer-based subject test at the: GED homepage

The Exam

The GED Test includes four sections:

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

*The RLA includes reading and writing subject tests. If only the reading or the writing was previously passed, by taking the GED (2002-2013) or the TASC Test (2014-2021), the RLA must be taken in full. For additional information regarding the format of the GED, please see GED homepage

 

Preparing for and Taking the GED® Test

Register online for a GED account at the GED homepage. A test taker must create their own GED account, using their own email address, which enables them to access their account after it is set up.

The GED® Test takes approximately 7.5 hours to complete, inclusive of all four subject tests. If a subject test is failed, a test taker may reschedule that subject test after 60 days has passed. If needed, the same subject test can be taken up to three times in a calendar year. 

If a test taker does not cancel a scheduled test in their online account at least 24 hours before test delivery the missed test will be considered a No Show and the test taker must also wait 60 days to reschedule. Test takers who are No Shows for 5 concurrent subtests will be restricted from scheduling additional subject tests for 6 months (180 days). GEDTS and New York State are authorized to place further testing restrictions on test takers who continue to skip scheduled testing appointments or have an extensive history of multiple No Shows over several years.

Test takers must agree to the following affirmations when registering:

I understand that if I miss my GED test in New York, I must wait 60 days to reschedule. To avoid this, I must cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours in advance. A failed subject test also requires a 60-day wait, with a maximum of 3 attempts per year.

I understand that if I miss 5 scheduled GED subject test appointments (without canceling or rescheduling) I will be prohibited from scheduling any testing appointments for six-months (180 days). If I continue not showing up for scheduled appointments after this blocked period, GED Testing Service and New York State have the right to place further restrictions on my account, up to and including a permanent test scheduling ban.

I understand that if my non-expired government issued, photo identification does not show proof of New York State residency, that additional documentation must be provided to the test center at the time of testing. Examples of supplemental ID can include but are not limited to: another form of ID that can substantiate my New York State home address or a currently issued utility bill, apartment lease, auto insurance policy or other official correspondence containing my name and New York State address.

 

Grandfathering Prior Passing TASC or GED Scores

NYS test takers who previously took TASC subtests (2014-2021) in NYS and/or GED subtests in NYS (2002-2013) and (2022-present) may use prior passing scores toward meeting the subtest requirements for the HSE diploma.