College and High School Equivalency Diploma

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Every year, about 150,000 individuals earn a GED diploma in the U.S. The GED (General Education Development) test is America’s most used high school equivalency (HSE) exam.

If you are a GED graduate and think about continuing your academic education, you might have wondered: Is my GED good to go to college?

The answer is yes! Practically all certificate and degree programs in North America accept GED graduates in the same way they regard high school graduates. Bear in mind, however, that you’ll have to meet the schools’ and their degree programs’ additional application requirements in the same way as high school grads.

There may be, for example, additional requirements related to your personal essay, your grades, extracurricular accomplishments, and letters of recommendation.

In this article, we’ll discuss some important aspects of a college application for GED graduates and answer some frequently asked questions, for example:

• What is a GED, and is it equivalent to a common high school diploma?
• What are GED qualification requirements?
• Can I take the GED test online?
• Is my GED the same as a high school diploma?
• How is the GED test scored, and what score is required for college admission?
• How do my GED scores compare to a GPA?

What exactly is a GED?

The GED exam is a series of four standardized modular tests that range in length from 70 to 150 minutes each. The GED sub-exams cover Science, Social Studies, Mathematics, and English language Arts.

Your sub-exam scores are calibrated on a scoring scale from 100 to 200. On each of the four modules, the passing score is 145. Upon attaining at least this score on the four tests, you’ll receive your GED diploma, issued by your state.

The GED diploma certifies that you have achieved a knowledge level equivalent to that of a graduating high school senior. The GED diploma qualifies you for job promotions and practically all undergraduate programs.

GED qualification requirements

The GED is a state-specific high school equivalency exam, and rules, regulations, and requirements may vary slightly by state. Generally speaking, you are eligible to write the GED exam when you don’t hold a secondary education degree, if you meet age requirements in your state (ranging from at least 16 to 18 years of age), and are not signed up for another school program.

Some states offer GED testing to state residents only, and in some states, you’ll have to attend a GED preparatory program or reach sufficient results on a practice test before you can register for the exam.

Practically all states offer the GED test for high school equivalency testing purposes, but there are states that use the alternative HiSET exam, while a number of states offer both options.

The qualification requirements for and the content of the HiSET exam are similar to those for the GED. The states that only offer the HiSET exam are Iowa, Maine, and Tennessee.

Can I take the GED test online?

Most states offer you the possibility of online GED or HiSET testing, though the online option is not available in Maine and New York, and Florida has suspended the online GED test.

To be eligible for the online proctored GED test, you must first reach passing (“green”) scores on the GED Ready practice test. There are four of these tests, one for each of the four testing fields.

The GED exam is available in English and Spanish, and accommodations are available for test-takers with disabilities.

Is my GED the same as a High School Degree?

Your GED is not exactly the same as a common high school diploma. A GED certifies that the holder has successfully taken the four GED sub-exams, whereas a high school diploma certifies that the holder has successfully completed the curriculum required for high school graduation.

However, the differences are mostly technical, and there are many similarities between holders of a GED and a high school degree employers, and practically all government agencies and institutions of higher education accept a GED in the same way as a high school diploma.

How is the GED scored?

Your GED scores are measured on a scale from 100 to 200. There are four GED score ranges:

• 100-144 (below-passing GED scores range)
• 145-164 (high school equivalent GED scores range)
• 165-174 (college-ready GED scores range)
• 175-200 (college-ready PLUS credit GED scores range)

If you have attained high school equivalent passing scores on the four modules, your state will award a GED diploma, and you can start applying to colleges or get a better job.

If you have earned GED College-Ready scores, you are ready to attend college-level courses. You may be exempt from having to take placement tests, submit ACT/SAT scores, or follow remedial courses to get admitted to credit-bearing college programs. This will save you time and money as you can complete academic programs sooner.

If you have reached College-Ready PLUS Credit Scores, you may additionally qualify to receive up to 10 credit hours: 1 in Humanities, 3 in Math, 3 in Science, and 3 in Social Studies.

Does a GED affect my college acceptance chances?

You don’t have to worry that holding a GED rather than a high school degree will have a negative impact on your odds of getting accepted into college. Just about all colleges and universities across North America accept applicants with a GED in the same way as a high school diploma as long as they also meet the school’s other admission requirements.

Your odds of applying successfully to your favorite college or university may, however, be impacted by submitting letters of recommendation from coaches, previous employers, teachers, or military officers.

Useful tips for applying to college

Regardless of whether you are a GED or high school diploma holder, the following tips help you get admitted to your preferred college or university. If you follow these steps and strategies, you will definitely increase your odds of getting accepted, and the school’s admissions office will help you manage the application process.

1. Research the school and talk to admissions officers

You should learn all about your favored college or university’s application requirements and the specific requirements for the degree program you want to enroll in. If, for example, you want to apply to a graphic design degree program, chances are admissions officers want to review your creative portfolio.

So talk with your favored school’s admissions office because that’s the best resource for up-to-date, accurate information about the school’s admission policies. They can also tell you all about GED-related questions you may have and help you with your application. The admissions office will help if you have questions, for example, about GED college credit if you scored 175 or higher on the GED test.

2. Know application and tuition costs

Both across colleges and universities and individual academic programs, application and tuition costs can vary considerably. So, when setting up your college budget, be sure to factor in things like in-state vs. out-of-state tuition costs, credit-hour costs, how many credits are required to graduate, if you’re eligible for any credits, costs for food and/or housing, and textbook and subscription costs.

3. Make sure you have Letters of Recommendation

Many institutions of post-secondary education require applicants to include letters of recommendation with their application. Please note that even when a school doesn’t require you to include letters of recommendation but offers you the option, submitting one or more of these letters will definitely improve your odds of getting admitted.

As said above, valuable letters of recommendation may come from earlier teachers, sports coaches, church leaders, mentors, military officers, or managers of groups or clubs you participated in.

4. Learn all about financial aid and scholarships

The costs of a college education increase steadily, and financial aid packages and scholarships can reduce those costs considerably. You should talk to your favorite college’s admissions officers to learn all about available scholarship options and grants. They will also help you with your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application.

Many states, colleges, and universities use the FAFSA form information as well to determine if you are eligible for their loans, grants, or scholarships.

How do my GED scores compare to a GPA?

Routinely, colleges and universities request applicants to submit their GPAs. Now, how does that work for GED graduates? Well, online you can find several calculators to help you determine how your GED scores compare to a GPA.

But please note that most colleges and universities have their own methods of weighing your scores and calculating GPAs. That’s why we urge you to speak with the admissions officers of your favored school about how they will value your GED scores.