Locate a testing center in your area and register for the GED. Testing is provided by the American Council on Education at 3,400 testing centers worldwide. Contact the company online or by phone and give them your zip code. In return, they will inform you of the closest testing center. When registering for the test, identify any physical or learning disabilities you have, as accommodations will be provided. If English is not your first or best language, also make that clear during the registration process. The GED can be taken in Spanish or French if that is your primary language.
Prepare for the GED by studying thoroughly. Remember, the test is considered the equivalent of four years of a high school education, meaning anything covered between the freshman and senior years is fair game. If you are still in high school, review the material you have covered so far. Contact the counseling office, too, and ask if they have any study materials available. If you are out of high school, ask the local schools, libraries, or testing centers if they have any tutoring services or study guides available.
Be aware of the format of the GED. You don't want there to be any surprises when you sit down to take the GED, so know what to expect when the day comes. The GED is divided into five separate tests: Language Arts (Writing), Social Studies, Science, Language Arts (Reading), and Science. Each test contains 50 multiple choice questions and each test must be passed to receive a GED. In addition to the fifty questions, the writing section also includes one essay. The time allowed for each test varies between sixty-five minutes and two hours. You can take all five in one day, which will require around seven hours of testing, or at different times.
Create a plan for what you will do after receiving your GED. Over ninety-eight percent of colleges in the nation accept the GED for admission. If college is not for you, having your high school credentials will open up many new career opportunities.