What to do after finishing GED?

After earning your GED, you can pursue higher education (community college, university), vocational training (trade school), get a better job or promotion, or gain certifications, with options including immediate digital access to your diploma and transcripts for applications. The best next step depends on your career goals, but community colleges and career centers offer great resources to help you decide on paths like a certificate, associate's degree, or specific job training.

What happens after you pass the GED?

After earning your GED, you'll immediately receive an official digital transcript and diploma via email, which you can download and share with colleges or employers. You can also request a printed diploma, receive a free college class, attend a graduation ceremony, and explore next steps with a Navigator.

What goes after GED?

GED certificate-holders can go on to earn undergraduate and advanced degrees. GED diploma-holders may choose to go to a community college to earn an in-demand associate degree, or they may apply directly to a four-year school.

Can I say I graduated if I got my 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. 

What career can you do with a GED?

Some fields of work that may be open to hiring people with a GED are Drivers, Bank Tellers, Warehouse work, Food Service, Retail Sales, Customer Service, Social Services, the Entertainment Industry, being an Artist, Office Management, as well as Transportation and Construction.

4 things you can do after passing the GED

What jobs make $3,000 a month without a degree?

You can earn $3,000 a month without a degree in skilled trades (electrician, HVAC, mechanic), healthcare support (dental/medical assistant, LPN), tech (IT support, coding bootcamps), sales (real estate, automotive, tech), transportation (trucking, delivery), and specialized roles like security, customer service, or administrative assistant, often through training, certifications, or on-the-job experience, with many remote options available. 

Is it hard to get a job with just a GED?

Having a GED will open up a slew of career opportunities. With it, you can be admitted into a community college or be considered for employment in well-paying jobs that require a high school diploma, such as a janitor, shop service manager, land surveyor, tool and die maker, or sanitation supervisor.

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. 

Is it harder to get into 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. 

Does GED count as a degree?

No, a GED (General Educational Development) is not a degree; it's a High School Equivalency credential, a certificate earned by passing four tests that demonstrate knowledge equivalent to a high school diploma, serving as an alternative for those who didn't finish traditional high school. While most employers and colleges view it as equivalent to a diploma, it's a different path to showing you've met secondary education standards, opening doors to jobs, trade schools, and further college education. 

Which GED is the hardest?

Reasoning through Language Arts and Social Studies have comparable pass rates, so it's safe to say that these sections are the same in difficulty range, generally speaking. The Math GED subtest has a much lower pass rate, so we may say that this part is significantly more challenging for many students.

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).

Does Harvard accept 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. 

What can I do once I get my GED?

As a GED holder, you can apply to community colleges, technical schools, and universities to earn a college degree or pursue vocational training. Many colleges and universities even have specific programs designed for GED holders that provide additional support and resources to help you succeed.

What level of math is on the GED?

The GED math test covers Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Geometry, and Graphs & Functions, focusing on applying these concepts to real-world problems, roughly equivalent to 9th-grade math skills but emphasizing practical reasoning rather than advanced algorithms, with topics like fractions, decimals, percentages, equations, and data interpretation being key. You'll use a calculator for most questions, and formula sheets are provided, so it's more about understanding how to use math than complex memorization. 

How long after passing the GED do you get your diploma?

Most physical diploma/certificate or transcript orders take approximately 1-2 days to process and mail out but may take up to 2 weeks. Please allow sufficient time for processing and shipping.

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. 

What can I do after GED?

Here are the six post-GED opportunities you can look forward to.

• College. The GED is a widely recognized and accepted certification. ...
• Military. Did you know the GED was originally created for veterans and members of the military? ...
• Career. ...
• Trade School Certificate. ...
• Work Promotion. ...
• Better Outlook on Life.

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.

Do employers look down on GED?

Many employers don't care whether you have a GED certificate or a high school diploma, and they consider these options to be equivalent. However, it depends on the company and the position.

Is a GED accepted in all states?

The GED diploma is accepted in all states, though not all states use the GED test for high school equivalency testing. Several states have decided to use an alternative test instead of the GED® for the purpose of high school equivalency testing.

What is better than a GED?

A high school diploma is universally accepted at colleges and universities. Students who have a diploma and have demonstrated good grades will often be eligible for financial aid that individuals with a GED cannot get. In most instances, a diploma will be viewed as superior.

Do jobs actually check if you have a GED?

Background checks usually verify whether a candidate received a post-high school academic degree from an educational institution. If necessary, high school diplomas and GED credentials may also be confirmed.

Can you make it in life with a GED?

Better Job Opportunities

Without it, your options are often limited to positions that may not provide long-term growth or financial stability. However, by earning your GED or HSED, you can qualify for a wider range of job opportunities in fields like healthcare, manufacturing, customer service, and administration.

Can employers see if you've graduated?

Another way a hiring manager may authenticate your education is by contacting the schools or universities that you attended. Sometimes companies will hire third-party verification services to screen their potential job candidates.