Prepare for the exam by studying through an online course or in a community GED class. You can find a course in your community through your local library or the local Board of Education. You can find certified online GED courses through the Distance Education and Training Council, the United States Distance Learning Association or the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (see Resources). The United States Department of Education relies on these accrediting agencies to grant credit to online institutions that meet set standards for high school education.
Apply to take the GED exam. If you are over the age of 19, you must have New York residency status and must not have graduated from high school or earned a High School Equivalency Diploma. If you are 17 or 18 years old you may take the GED exam if you enroll in an approved Alternative High School Equivalency Preparation Program or have not attended high school for at least one year. Other conditions for GED eligibility for 17- or 18-year-olds include serving in the military or Job Corps, having a college acceptance or residing in a treatment or detention facility.
Fill out the application (see Resources) and submit it to a New York Department of Education's GED Testing Center (see Resources for a list of testing centers) together with proof of identification.
Sign up to take the GED test at any GED testing site (see Resources). Select two testing dates no less than eight weeks in advance of the test. You will receive a letter from the testing facility notifying you of your test date and time.
Bring the letter from the testing center with you on your test day along with your ID. Take the test. If you pass the test, the New York State General Educational Development (GED) Testing Office of the New York Board of Education will send you your GED certificate.