GED Pass Rate, Format & Study Guide

The GED has four separately scored subjects: Mathematical Reasoning (115 minutes), Reasoning Through Language Arts (150 minutes including a 45-minute extended-response essay), Social Studies (70 minutes) and Science (90 minutes), taken on the same or different days (GED.com). Each subject is scored on a 100 to 200 scale and a score of at least 145 on every subject earns the credential; GED College Ready is 165 to 174 and College Ready + Credit is 175 to 200. This portal is a study aid: its 160-question practice set is multiple choice and does not reproduce the real test's item types or essay.

Passing all four GED subjects earns a high school equivalency credential that many employers, colleges and training programs accept in place of a diploma.

Adults and older teens without a high school diploma who want an equivalency credential, and anyone retaking a subject.

The certifying body does not publicly publish an official pass rate for this exam. Be wary of third-party sites citing a specific number here — treat any pass-rate claim you see elsewhere for this exam as unverified.

GED.com's retake FAQ says in-person test-takers can take two subsequent retests of a subject with no restriction between them and must wait 60 days after a third failed retest. A 2023 price notice reduced discounted retakes in most states, and online-proctored retakes can differ, so check your state's policy.

You need a score of at least 145 on each of the four subjects. Scores are not averaged across subjects, so you can pass subjects on different days. GED College Ready is 165 to 174 and GED College Ready + Credit is 175 to 200. Format: four timed subjects with multiple-choice and technology-enhanced items, short answers in Science and an essay in Language Arts. No official pass rate is available for this exam, so none is quoted here.

The GED has four separately scored subjects: Mathematical Reasoning (115 minutes), Reasoning Through Language Arts (150 minutes including a 45-minute extended-response essay), Social Studies (70 minutes) and Science (90 minutes), taken on the same or different days (GED.com). Each subject is scored on a 100 to 200 scale and a score of at least 145 on every subject earns the credential; GED College Ready is 165 to 174 and College Ready + Credit is 175 to 200. This portal is a study aid: its 160-question practice set is multiple choice and does not reproduce the real test's item types or essay. Four separately scored subjects: Mathematical Reasoning 115 min, Reasoning Through Language Arts 150 min (with a 45-minute essay), Social Studies 70 min, Science 90 min · 145 on each subject to pass. You need a score of at least 145 on each of the four subjects. Scores are not averaged across subjects, so you can pass subjects on different days. GED College Ready is 165 to 174 and GED College Ready + Credit is 175 to 200.

• Mathematical Reasoning: Quantitative Problem Solving with Rational Numbers6.3%
• Mathematical Reasoning: Quantitative Problem Solving in Measurement and Data5%
• Mathematical Reasoning: Algebraic Problem Solving with Expressions and Equations7.5%
• Mathematical Reasoning: Algebraic Problem Solving with Graphs and Functions6.3%
• Reasoning Through Language Arts: Analyzing and Creating Text Features and Technique8.8%
• Reasoning Through Language Arts: Using Evidence to Understand, Analyze and Create Arguments11.3%
• Reasoning Through Language Arts: Applying English Language Conventions and Usage5%
• Science: Life Science10%
• Science: Physical Science10%
• Science: Earth and Space Science5%
• Social Studies: Civics and Government12.5%
• Social Studies: United States History5%
• Social Studies: Economics3.8%
• Social Studies: Geography and the World3.8%

The content outline spreads questions across 14 areas: Mathematical Reasoning: Quantitative Problem Solving with Rational Numbers (6.3%); Mathematical Reasoning: Quantitative Problem Solving in Measurement and Data (5.0%); Mathematical Reasoning: Algebraic Problem Solving with Expressions and Equations (7.5%); Mathematical Reasoning: Algebraic Problem Solving with Graphs and Functions (6.3%); Reasoning Through Language Arts: Analyzing and Creating Text Features and Technique (8.8%); Reasoning Through Language Arts: Using Evidence to Understand, Analyze and Create Arguments (11.3%); Reasoning Through Language Arts: Applying English Language Conventions and Usage (5.0%); Science: Life Science (10.0%); Science: Physical Science (10.0%); Science: Earth and Space Science (5.0%); Social Studies: Civics and Government (12.5%); Social Studies: United States History (5.0%); Social Studies: Economics (3.8%); Social Studies: Geography and the World (3.8%).

Who may take the GED, including minimum age, residency and whether you must be out of school, is set by each state. Look up your state on GED.com before registering.

No single price: GED.com lists prices by state, and retakes may be discounted or waived depending on state and test center.

This guide does not cover how long subject scores stay valid; your state's GED page lists its policy.

Start with the heaviest areas of the content outline: Social Studies: Civics and Government (12.5%); Reasoning Through Language Arts: Using Evidence to Understand, Analyze and Create Arguments (11.3%); Science: Life Science (10.0%). Then work through the remaining areas, and finish with timed full-length practice runs of 160 questions in one sitting.

Content outlines, fees and passing standards change; this guide follows the materials listed under Verification as of October 2026. Check GED.com and your state GED program before you register.