What are the GED® Tests?

The GED® Test Battery is a national examination developed by the GED® Testing Service of the American Council on Education (ACE) . ACE makes them available to adults who did not graduate from high school or whose diplomas may not be recognized by New York State. In New York State, the GED® Tests are offered in English, French and Spanish.

There are five tests in the GED® Test Battery: Language Arts – Writing; Social Studies; Science; Language Arts – Reading; and Mathematics. The tests take more than seven hours to complete and include a direct writing assessment. To ensure that the content and skills measured by the tests remain closely matched to contemporary high school curriculum, the tests undergo regular review.

Test results are expressed as standard scores ranging from 200 to 800. States and jurisdictions award a high school credential to individuals who earn at least 410 on each subtest and an average standard score 450 or better across all five subtests.

In addition to the five subtests mentioned above, there is a test of English proficiency (ESL Test) which is given to candidates who take the GED® Tests in Spanish or French. When candidates pass the GED® Tests in English in New York State, they receive a certificate or diploma that is regarded as equivalent to a high school diploma. Employers in private industry and government, as well as admissions offices in colleges and universities accept the GED® certificate or diploma as they would a high school diploma.

When candidates pass the GED® Tests in Spanish or French in New York State, they receive a high school equivalency diploma with a designation of Spanish or French. If they pass the ESL Test, they receive a high school equivalency diploma which is identical to those earned by candidates who pass all five subtests of the English GED®.

The GED® Tests cover the same subjects that people study in high school. The five subjects include: Language Arts Writing and Language Arts Reading (which together are equivalent to high school English), Social Studies, Science and Mathematics. Candidates are not required to know all of the information that is usually taught in high school, however, across the five tests, candidates are tested on their ability to read and process information, solve problems, and communicate effectively.

Please note: The GED® Testing Office in Albany is the only entity approved to issue high school equivalency diplomas in New York State. If diplomas and/or transcripts are obtained from a source other than the GED® Testing Office, they are not legitimate documents. Candidates who possess them cannot use them for any academic or vocational purposes whatsoever. (e.g. to obtain or upgrade a job, to enter a training program, to enlist in the United States Armed Forces, to enter into a post-secondary institution, college, or university, etc…).

The GED® Testing Office also provides information on the following topics:

• Out-of-State Testing
• College Credit
• Obtaining Test Records
•  Testing Accommodations