Frequently Asked Questions about the GED in Nevada

Updated May 17,2011
This information pertains to GED 2002 tests. These answers apply only to the State of Nevada, and may vary for other states. Please check with your test site to be sure you have the latest and most accurate information.

1. What does GED stand for? General Educational Development.
2. What areas does the GED test battery cover?   Language Arts (Writing Parts 1 and 2 and Reading), Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics.
3. How many questions and how much time is allowed per section?
   

   Test	Content	Number of Items	Time Limit
   Language Arts Writing Part 1	Organization 15% Sentence Structure 30% Usage 30% Mechanics 25%	50	120 minutes   (45 minutes of this time is allowed for the essay.)
   Language Arts Writing Part 2	Essay	1
   Social Studies	U.S. History 25% World History 15% Civics and Government 25% Geography 15% Economics 20%	50	70 minutes
   Science	Life Science 45% Earth and Space Science 20% Physical Science 35%	50	80 minutes
   Language Arts Reading	Nonfiction Texts 25% Literary Texts 75% Prose Fiction Poetry Drama	40	65 minutes
   Mathematics	Number Operations and Number Sense 25% Measurement and Geometry 25% Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability 25% Algebra 25%	Part 1 25 with calculator	45 minutes
   		Part 2 25 no calculator	45 minutes
   Totals:		Questions: 240 + essay	Time: 7 hours, 5 minutes

4. How much does it cost to take the tests? Currently the fee is $60.00 for the entire battery of tests. The fee is payable at the time of registration and is non-refundable (without a valid written medical explanation from a health care professional).  If this fee poses a financial hardship, check with Nevada Job Connect, JOIN, or other agencies in your area to see if aid is available.
5. Is advance registration necessary? Most test centers require advance reservations and registration.  Check with your individual test center for registration requirements.  If you are over eighteen, you will need proof of Nevada residency, a government issued picture ID (driver’s license or identification card) and another form of identification.  If you are under eighteen you will need other documentation, so check with your test registrar ahead of time to be sure you bring the proper papers with you when you register.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, see number 18.
6.  How often are the tests offered? Check with the test center of your choice for scheduling information.  Some centers give the entire test in one day, in which case all parts of the test must be completed on the same day.  Some centers give the test over two days.
7.  Do I have to take the entire test battery over if I miss one part? An applicant who takes the GED for the first time must complete the entire battery of five tests before retesting on any individual tests.  An applicant who completes initial testing but fails to achieve the minimum scores may be retested on the entire battery of tests or on the failed individual test or tests.  You only have to retake the parts of the test below the required minimum score of 410 points unless you need a higher score to bring your average up to 450.  Also, if you score below 1.5 on the essay, you must take the entire writing test over.
8.  How many times can I take the tests? An applicant may be retested any number of times, although availability of alternative forms of the tests limits the number of possible retests in any twelve month period.  A different form of the edition must be used for each retest.
9. How are the tests scored? Each part of the test is scored separately.  An overall score of 2250 with an average standard score of 450 is required to pass the test.  No score may be under 410.
10. Where are the tests given? You may take the GED tests at any official GED test center convenient to you throughout Nevada.  Some versions of the tests may not be offered at every site.  Some test sites may have more versions of the tests and/or accommodations than others.
11. Must I be a resident of Nevada to take the tests? Yes.  Certificates of High School Equivalency (proof of passing the GED) are only issued to persons who reside in the State of Nevada or who are on active military duty and have attended secondary school in Nevada.  Nevada’s residency policy for GED testing allows for testing certain non-residents who live near the border of Nevada in adjacent states when a testing site is not easily accessible to the non-resident.
12. Are there minimum age requirement to take the tests? Yes. The minimum age is 18, except in the following cases.

• Applicants who are at least 16 years of age and less than 18 years of age may register to take the GED exam after presenting:

1. written permission signed by parent or legal guardian
2. written permission from the local school's Board of Trustees
3. verification of withdrawal from high school
4. resides in the school district
5. has not graduated from a high school
6. satisfies any other requirements prescribed by the board of trustees.

• The board of trustees of a school district may, upon request and for good cause shown, grant permission to take the tests of general educational development prescribed by the state board to a person who:

1. is at least 16 years of age but less than 18 years of age
2. submits to the board of trustees written permission signed by his parent or legal guardian
3. verification of withdrawal from high school
4. resides in the school district
5. has not graduated from a high school, and
6. satisfies any other requirements prescribed by the board of trustees.

13. Is it possible to take the tests in Spanish? Yes.  The Spanish version of the tests is offered at many of the centers in Nevada.  Call your local test center or the Adult Education Office (775-687-7294) to learn where the Spanish version of the tests is offered.  (Spanish and English scores may not be combined.)
14. If I take the tests in Spanish will that be indicated on my GED certificate? No.  However, it will be indicated on your GED transcript.
15. If I am a foreign language student taking the tests in English, may I use a translator? No.  If you feel your English skills are not sufficient, you may take the test in Spanish or French.  (As French is not widely spoken in Nevada, a test center will have to order the tests for you to take them.  It is advisable to contact them well in advance of your desired test date.)
16. Are there other versions of the tests available? Yes.  There are seven versions of the GED test (English, Spanish, French, Canadian, audio, large print, and Braille).  Not all sites will have all the versions.  You will need special permission to take the test in audio, large print, or Braille, so make those arrangements well in advance of testing.
17. Do I need a Social Security Number to take the tests? No.
18. May I take the GED tests if I am not a U.S. Citizen? Yes.  GED Testing Service guidelines stipulate that in order for a person to take the GED tests, he or she must possess verification of identity and eligibility for testing.  Identity and age must be verified using acceptable photograph-bearing identification.  Driver's licenses, valid passports, military IDs, or other forms of government-issued (national or foreign) identification that show name, address, date of birth, signature, and photograph are all acceptable forms of identification, unless there is any reason to question their authenticity.  An appropriate combination of documents may be used to satisfy the requirements. Non-citizens, including refugees, legal and illegal immigrants, resident and nonresident aliens, and other foreign nationals are eligible to take the GED Tests if they meet all of the requirements of the Commission and the state, including requirements on age and withdrawal from school.
19. May I take the GED tests if I have a high school diploma from another country? Yes.  Persons whose high school diploma is from an unaccredited high school are eligible to take the GED tests if they meet all other requirements of the Commission and state.  Persons who earn diplomas in countries that do not participate in the GED testing program are likewise eligible to take the GED tests if they meet all other requirements.
20. How do I prepare for the tests? You may study at community colleges, school district adult education programs, literacy agencies, or on your own with study materials from bookstores or libraries.  Call the Nevada GED office at 775-687-7294 for additional information.
21. Why do adults take the GED tests? Some adults take the tests for personal satisfaction.  For others the primary reason is to qualify for further education or for employment.

22. Is the GED accepted at colleges and universities? Yes. Approximately 97% of colleges and universities admit GED graduates who meet their other qualifications.

23. Do employers accept the GED certificate as equivalent to a traditional high school diploma?  Yes.  More than 95% of employers accept the GED as equivalent to high school completion. The GED transcript provides specific information as to the skills mastered, which assists the employer when hiring.

24. How many people take the GED tests in a year? In 2009, more than 788,000 adults worldwide took some portion of the five GED content area tests and nearly 473,000 adults passed the GED tests.  In Nevada, 7,033 took the test and 4,727 received the GED credential for a 67% completion rate.

Contacts:

• NV Adult Education Coordinator & State GED Administrator: Brad Deeds
• NV GED Records Custodian/Administrative Assistant III: Jeannine Woodward