Verify your eligibility to take the GED examination by accessing the California Department of Education's official website. Regardless of your age, all examinees must be state residents and not presently enrolled in high school. You must be 18 years old or within 60 days of your 18th birthday and within 60 days of your graduation date had you maintained school enrollment. If you're 17 years old and you've been out of school for more than 60 consecutive days, you must provide a GED test request letter from a prospective employer, military personnel or a post-secondary educational facility.
Register for GED classes. California residents can register for classes at local educational facilities, such as community colleges or other designated testing sites. These classes offer test preparation and practice examinations in language arts, math, social studies and science. You can also visit a local bookstore or borrow GED test preparation books from a local public library.
Contact the GED testing site and confirm registration dates and times. Most centers will require examinees to complete a registration application, pay exam fees and bring proof of residency and a photo ID.
Arrive promptly at your designated testing site and bring all required documents. Some testing facilities will not permit you to take the exam if you're absent or tardy. Take and pass the GED exam to receive your high school equivalency diploma.