What GED score do I need for college?

To go to college with a GED, you generally need to score 145+ in each subject to pass, but a score of 165-174 ("College Ready") shows readiness for college courses, and 175-200 ("College Ready + Credit") can even earn you college credits, though specific university requirements vary, so always check with your target college for their minimums and potential extra needs like essays or placement tests.

What GED score is college ready?

GED Scoring

Passing score (high school equivalency): 145-164. College-ready score: 165-174. College-ready plus up to 10 college credit hours: 175-200.

Can I get accepted into college with a GED?

Yes, you can absolutely go to college with a GED, as nearly all U.S. colleges and universities accept it as equivalent to a high school diploma, but you may need to meet extra requirements like placement tests, higher GED scores, or strong essays/recommendations to get into selective programs. While many community colleges have open admissions, four-year universities might look for strong placement test scores (ACT/SAT) or other indicators of college readiness, with some competitive programs having stricter criteria. 

Do colleges care about GED scores?

Some schools and competitive programs require students to have a minimum GED test score or some prior college credit to be considered for admission. Other institutions require applicants who hold a GED diploma to take additional placement tests.

Do you need a GED to enter college?

Colleges typically expect and require students to have at least a high school diploma or an equivalent, like the General Educational Development (GED) test, to enroll. However, some colleges allow people to enroll in individual courses even if they don't have a high school diploma.

GED Scores Explained!

Can I go to college with no GED?

Yes, it is possible to attend college without a high school diploma or GED. While most colleges require these credentials for admission, there are other options. Some institutions allow you to demonstrate your academic capabilities through assessment or placement tests.

Can you skip high school and go to college?

The answer is yes! Many accredited colleges, including online schools, don't require you to have completed high school or passed the GED exam to enroll in classes. Some even help students pass the GED exam while enrolled, allowing them to jumpstart their certificate program or associate degree.

What is a failing GED score?

The GED® test has a passing score of 145 for each test subject. To earn your high school equivalency, you'll need to score 145 or higher on all four subjects.

Can I say I graduated with a GED?

Yes, you can say you "graduated" with a GED, as it's an official High School Equivalency (HSE) credential, but it's best to be specific and list it as "General Educational Development (GED) Certificate" or "High School Equivalency Diploma" on resumes and applications, as it's legally recognized as equivalent to a high school diploma by most employers and colleges. 

Will Harvard accept a GED?

Yes, Harvard accepts applicants with a GED, as they consider it equivalent to a high school diploma, but admission remains highly competitive, requiring exceptional academic preparation, standardized test scores (SAT/ACT), and unique accomplishments to stand out, not just the GED itself. 

Do colleges check to see if you have a GED?

Your transcript is the official record of the GED test subjects that you took and your scores. Many colleges and universities require an applicant to submit a copy of their transcript prior to acceptance and admission.

What is my GPA if I got a GED?

To convert your GED to a GPA, divide your total score by the number of sections on the test you took. Most students are tested on five sections of the GED. For example, if your total score was 2300 and you took five sections, your average GED score would be 460 (2300/5 = 460).

How long is the GED test valid?

Q. When do these GED tests expire? They don't! Since you are not buying vouchers, but actual tests, they don't expire.

Is it harder to go to college with a GED?

It's not necessarily harder, as ~98% of US colleges accept GEDs, but it can add steps and requires demonstrating readiness, often meaning higher GED scores, ACT/SAT scores, strong essays, recommendations, or starting at a community college to prove academic capability before transferring to a 4-year university, especially for competitive programs. A GED is equivalent to a diploma, but sometimes requires extra effort to overcome lingering perceptions or meet specific admissions criteria. 

What's the lowest GED score?

A passing test score is 145. GED® Test score requirements are: Required minimum standard score of 145 on each test (Max possible: 200) Required total score of 580.

What if I fail the GED ready test?

If you did not pass one of your GED® test subjects, you can take two subsequent retests, with no restrictions between retakes. If you fail the third or any subsequent retest, you must wait 60 days for your next attempt.

What is the downside of a GED?

Disadvantages of a GED include potential employer/college bias, fewer networking/extracurriculars, lower earning potential, and the need for high self-motivation for self-study, as it lacks the structured social and academic development of a traditional high school diploma, potentially leading to gaps in knowledge or opportunities compared to diploma holders. Some employers and colleges still view it less favorably, and certain fields have restrictions, with some studies showing worse long-term outcomes than high school graduates. 

Can I go to a 4 year college with a GED?

The short answer is yes: most degree and certificate programs accept applicants who have their GED. However, besides having a GED, you'll also need to meet the college and degree program's other application requirements.

What is better, a GED or diploma?

A high school diploma is generally better than a GED because it often leads to higher lifetime earnings, better college acceptance rates, and is viewed more favorably by many employers, though the GED serves as a valuable high school equivalency, opening doors for those who couldn't finish traditional school, with both often accepted for jobs and further education. While the GED shows you have 12th-grade level skills, a diploma typically signals greater academic commitment, potentially leading to better job prospects and financial aid, notes Seattle Colleges. 

Can I get a job with no GED?

Many employers hire workers based on skills, work ethic and personality rather than education. Start by searching online for jobs that don't require a diploma or GED. Many job boards now let you filter results with options like “no degree required” or “no diploma needed.”

How hard is it to pass a GED?

The GED test isn't inherently "hard," but it requires focused study and motivation, feeling challenging if you lack high school fundamentals, especially in Math, though you only need about 45% correct to pass each section. With proper preparation, practice tests, and a consistent study plan covering high school-level subjects, most people can pass, with many finding it manageable within a few months. 

Do GED scores matter for college?

The actual score on the GED sections matters. It is not enough to just pass the test if you want to use the GED to apply to college later on. Colleges will look at your score in each component to help make decisions about admissions. Additionally, showcase community involvement as part of the application.

What is the most commonly failed class in college?

The most failed college classes are typically foundational "gatekeeper" courses, especially in Math (like College Algebra, Calculus I/II) and Science (Organic Chemistry, General Chemistry, Physics), due to high enrollment, rigorous content, and challenging concepts for pre-med/STEM majors, with Computer Science intro courses also seeing high failure/withdrawal rates. Specific courses like Spanish 97 (Accelerated Review) at Iowa State also stand out due to misleading names or lack of incentive to excel beyond the minimum pass, notes this Iowa State Daily article.
 

Did Taylor Swift go to college?

No, Taylor Swift did not go to a traditional four-year college; she finished high school through homeschooling to focus on her music career, but she did receive an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from New York University (NYU) in 2022, where she also gave a commencement speech.
 

Where do the 1% go to college?

The 1% of the wealthiest Americans disproportionately attend highly selective, elite universities, particularly Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Brown, Penn, Columbia) and other top institutions like MIT, Stanford, Duke, and UChicago, where they make up a large percentage of the student body, often outnumbering students from the bottom 60% of income earners combined. Liberal arts colleges and prestigious public universities also attract many wealthy students, with specific examples including WashU St. Louis, UVA, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Vanderbilt, and Johns Hopkins.