As a California resident at the age of 18, you are eligible to take the California GED test whether you are enrolled in school or not. You can also take the test if you are within 60 days of your 18th birthday. Keep in mind that if you are 18 or older, you must take the GED test within 60 days of your scheduled high school graduation.
If you are 17 years old, a California resident and not within 60 days of your 18th birthday, there are still ways to take the test. You must first prove that you have been removed from school for at least 60 consecutive days, combined with a letter requesting the test by the military, a post-secondary school or a prospective employer.
A 17-year-old California resident is eligible for the GED test while incarcerated in a California correctional facility, as long as certain criteria are met. First, the incarcerated person must not have any chance of completing the required coursework for a high school diploma. Second, the person must have the academic knowledge needed to take the test. Third, the prospective test taker must have knowledge of all the alternatives to a high school diploma. Lastly, there must be adequate time for the incarcerated individual to complete the testing process. If the prisoner is released prior to completing the test, she may complete the test at a GED testing center.
The GED test consists of five sections. A passing grade is an average score of 450 or higher in each of the sections, for a total score of 2,250 or higher. This scoring is set to prove that a passing test taker has knowledge and skill exceeding roughly 60 percent of graduating seniors. If you do not pass the test, you can retake it, but another testing fee will apply.