GED passing score: what do you need to pass?
You need at least 145 on each of the four GED subjects to pass. Every subject is scored from 100 to 200, and the scores are not averaged, so a 170 in one subject cannot make up for a 140 in another. A score of 165 to 174 counts as GED College Ready, and 175 to 200 as GED College Ready + Credit.
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In more detail
The four subjects are Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Science and Social Studies. Each one is passed on its own. If you score below 145 in a subject, you retake only that subject and keep the passing scores you already have. Retake rules and prices depend on where you test, so check the policy for your state on GED.com.
A GED score is a scaled score, not a percentage, so there is no fixed number of correct answers that equals 145. That is why a practice test that reports a GED-style score tells you more than counting how many questions you got right.
Higher scores bring extra benefits. GED College Ready shows you are ready for college-level courses and may let you skip placement tests or remedial classes. College Ready + Credit may be worth up to 10 college credit hours, but each college decides what it accepts.
GED score bands per subject (GED.com)
| Score | Band | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 100 to 144 | Below passing | Retake this subject |
| 145 to 164 | Passing | Counts toward your high school equivalency |
| 165 to 174 | GED College Ready | May skip placement tests or remedial classes |
| 175 to 200 | GED College Ready + Credit | May earn up to 10 college credit hours |
Step by step
- 1
Take a practice test in each subject to see how far you are from 145.
- 2
Start with the subject furthest from 145, which is often math.
- 3
Study one subject at a time and book that test when your practice scores sit steadily above 145.
- 4
Book the next subject while your study habit is fresh, since you can take the subjects one at a time.
- 5
If you plan to go to college, set your practice target at 165 instead.
How StudyPDF helps
StudyPDF does not predict GED scores. It helps with the prep: upload pages from your GED prep book, class worksheets or notes, then press New material for a quiz, flashcards or a timed practice exam on one subject. It tracks the concepts you keep missing, so your next quiz focuses on them, and every question links back to the page it came from. You can start on the free plan.
Sources
See also
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More questions
Is 145 a good GED score?
It is a passing score, and passing all four subjects is what earns your high school equivalency. If you plan to go to college, aim for 165 or more in the subjects related to your program, since College Ready scores can help you skip placement tests.
Are GED scores averaged?
No. You need 145 or higher in every one of the four subjects. A high score in one subject does not make up for a low score in another, but you only retake the subject you did not pass.
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