GED TEST - Texas High School Equivalency Diploma

What is the GED?

GED (General Educational Development) Tests measure the outcome of a high school education. The GED Tests consist of five tests, one in each of these subjects: Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Writing Skills, and Interpreting Literature and the Arts. The GED Tests are available in English, Spanish, French, large-print, audiocassette, and Braille. Adaptations to testing conditions are permitted for adults with disabilities.

Did you know that...

  Since 1949 an estimated 15.4 million adults worldwide have taken and passed the GED Tests and earned their credentials. Worldwide, more than 860,000 adults take the GED Tests every year.
  Those who obtain scores high enough to earn a GED certificate outperform 40% of today's graduating high school seniors.
  The General Educational Development Testing Service develops and distributes the GED Tests.
  GED Graduates include: Delaware's Governor Ruth Ann Minner, Colorado's Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, comedian Bill Cosby, actor Christian Slater, and Wendy' founder Dave Thomas.
  More than 95 percent of U.S. employers consider GED graduates the same as traditional high school graduates with regard to hiring, salary, and opportunities for advancement.

Administrative Changes to the GED Tests

  In January 2002, GED Testing Centers began administering a new edition of the tests.
  Any GED candidate who did not successfully complete all five tests by January 1, 2002, has to start over with the new series of tests to qualify for a GED credential.
  Scores from the previous version (1988) of the GED Tests can not be combined with or converted to scores on the 2002 Series GED Tests.

The Texas GED Unit Mission Statement

Our mission is to build capacity for consistent testing services throughout the state in order that all eligible candidates may have an opportunity to earn high school equivalency credentials based on the General Educational Development (GED)Tests.

Texas GED Unit Goals

The GED Unit has three goals:

  To ensure the credibility and acceptance of Texas certificates of high school equivalency by maintaining the integrity of the state testing program;
  To provide leadership that encourages testing centers to make equitable testing services available in local communities; and
  To issue certificates and maintain records in a timely, accurate, and efficient manner.

Our Services

  The GED Unit acts as liaison between the Texas Education Agency and the GED Testing Service of the American Council on Education;
  Provides leadership and staff development to over 200 testing centers in the state;
  Issues equivalency certificates to qualified candidates;
  Issues duplicate certificates and transcripts; and
  Maintains records of testing activities.

Funding

The GED testing program in Texas is supported entirely by user fees; at the local level by testing fees and at the state level by processing fees.

FEE INCREASE

The State Board of Education during their May 2004 meeting approved to increase the non-refundable fee assessed for issuance of a certificate from $10.00 to $15.00. The increase in fee becomes effective on June 6, 2004.

Who can take the GED test?

Eligibility for GED testing is established by the Texas Education Code, Section 7.111, which states that a resident of the state who has not graduated from high school is eligible to take the high school equivalency test in accordance with rules promulgated by the state Board of Education.

In order to take the GED tests, an applicant must:

  be 18 years of age;
  be a resident of the state; and
  not be enrolled in school; and
  not be a high school graduate.

An applicant 17 years of age may test if:

  the applicant is a resident of the state;
  the applicant is not enrolled in school (exception is made if the applicant is enrolled in an approved in-school GED preparation program);
  is not a high school graduate; and
  the applicant has parental/guardian permission.

An applicant 16 years of age may test if:

  the applicant is a resident of the state;
  the applicant is not enrolled in school;
  is not a high school graduate; and
  a public agency providing supervision of the person or having custody of the person under a court order recommends that the person take the examination; or
  is in a Job Corps training program.

How can someone who has lost his/her GED certificate or test scores find the record?

Records of all certificates issued in Texas are on file at the GED Unit, Texas Education Agency. A candidate's complete name, date of birth, and Social Security Number are needed to locate a file. Requests from third parties, such as schools or employers, must bear a release signed by the record-holder.

If you wish to request a new or duplicate GED certificate, click on the link below:
GED Certificate Request

How can an institution be approved to offer the GED Tests?

GED testing centers may be established in accredited school districts, institutions of higher learning, or education service centers upon approval of the Texas Education Agency. Approval is based on the need for testing in a particular geographic area.