There are five sections on the GED exam. Each section is based on a subject area usually taught in high school. These include social studies, science, math, and reading and writing. Most of the questions are multiple choice. The exceptions are a couple of short essay questions. The test takes at least seven hours to complete and is usually completed over two or three days. All five parts of the exam must be passed in order to earn a GED. The test is also available in a Spanish language and French language version.
Scoring ranges from 200-800 points for each subject area. The minimum score to pass a subject area is 410 points. A total of 2,050 points in the combined subject areas is required to pass. Those who fail can retake the entire test or individual sections, as needed.
An individual must be at least 18 years old in order to take the test. They must be a resident of Iowa and have been withdrawn from high school for a minimum of six months. Anyone with a high school degree is ineligible to take the exam.
Applicants must register at one of the state's official testing centers. Fees for taking the exams vary, so it is best to check with the testing center beforehand. Test takers are required to bring a photo ID to the testing center. Acceptable forms of identification include a valid driver's license, military ID, passport or any other type of government identification.
There are free test preparation programs available, which can be found online. Another resource is the official GED practice test which is available at every testing center and online. Those who fail the exam or a section of it should consider attending a preparation program. See Resources for a list of programs.