So, You Want to Take the GED® Test?

You’ve decided to take the General Educational Development test (GED®)—congratulations!

But, now what? Many individuals struggle with the first steps in learning about and preparing for the actual test. The first step is realizing that it is more than a test. Like many other educational experiences, it is a process. But it’s one that will be well worth the effort!

Where to Start

Once you’ve decided to take the GED, you will want to do some pre-testing to determine how much studying you need to do and what classes you may need to take prior to scheduling your test. It may even be that you’ll need a bit of review of previous level skills before you tackle GED exam level practice. There are many resources available to potential examinees, including adult education classes that cover all grade-level material. Check with your local community college or other adult education resources to see what they offer.

Where to Find Information

The GED website also has many resources, including study materials, tips, and a listing of classes, and while the quality of this material is very high, it can also be costly. Some organizations in your community may have less expensive or free help with your preparation. They may offer GED practice tests and other exams, such as the Test for Adult Basic Education (TABE), that can help determine where you are in relation to where you need to be to pass the GED test.

The Cost of Preparing

Many practice tests can be found online. Some are free, while others have a nominal charge. The online classes for all four subjects that are offered by GED® can cost up to $129.

There’s some really good stuff at Union Test Prep that is available free. We offer free practice tests, study guides, and flashcards to help you no matter your learning style.

What About the Cost of Testing?

You’ll also want to do some research into the costs associated with taking the GED® itself. The actual GED® exam costs between $80 and $160 for all four sections of the test. The cost generally varies by location so you will want to check in your state and be prepared for that expense, as well as any others you may need to complete the exam successfully.

Why Study?

When you have these pieces in place, you can begin studying for the exam. The pretests will identify which areas to focus on. If you initially fail the test, don’t get discouraged. There are many reasons to fail—sometimes it has to do with nerves rather than not knowing the material. Doing some good preparation will help you feel more comfortable with the material and the whole testing process and make this less likely to happen.

What If I Don’t Pass the First Time?

Lots of folks don’t pass one or more parts of the GED test the first time around. Luckily, each examinee is allowed two free retakes on each subject without paying an additional fee. And, after taking the exam once, you will receive a personalized score report, which can help you to identify the areas in which you need additional instruction.

Why Bother?

Yeah, this will probably turn out to be more than just signing up, paying, and testing. But, it is the first step to putting yourself in a better position for employment and further education. There are all kinds of resources to help you, too. You can do this!