To be admitted to U.S. universities and meet the eligibility requirements for college sports leagues, students must hold a High School Diploma or an equivalent qualification. If this is not your case, you will need to take the GED.
WHAT IS THE GED, WHY IS IT NEEDED, AND WHEN TO TAKE IT?
The GED (General Educational Development) is an official U.S. exam that certifies high school-level academic knowledge.
It allows international students who haven’t completed secondary school in their home country to demonstrate they meet the minimum academic requirements for admission to U.S. universities.
The timing for taking the GED depends on each individual case, but in general, the student must take it on or after the expected high school graduation date (end of 12th grade). Please confirm with your consultant when it would be appropriate to take it.
GED TEST STRUCTURE
The GED is made up of 4 independent exams, which can be taken on the same day or separately:
Mathematical Reasoning – 115 minutes
Reasoning Through Language Arts (Reading & Writing) – 150 minutes
Science – 90 minutes
Social Studies – 70 minutes
Language: Outside the U.S., the GED is only available in English
Cost: $85 USD per subject
Where to take it:
In person at certified Pearson VUE testing centers
Online from home with a computer, webcam, and remote monitoring
For more information on each subject, you can visit this link.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND
You need a minimum score of 145 on each of the 4 sections to pass
If you don’t pass a section, you can retake it (each attempt requires a new payment)
Before registering for the official test, you must pass a practice test called “GED Ready”
STUDY RESOURCES
GED official website - free study materials and practice tests.
If extra support is needed, we collaborate with EPIC Prep, a test prep academy specializing in U.S. university entrance exams. We can connect you with them and request a free quote.