Did you drop out of high school before graduating? Is this decision holding you back from getting a good and well-paying job? If so, you might want to consider getting your General Education Diploma (GED).
While there are plenty of places where you can get your GED in-person, such as at your local test centers, colleges, and other educational facilities1, getting your GED online has some definite advantages over more traditional options. Plus, there are even courses available to help you prepare for the test.
If you need help kickstarting your journey towards a GED, here is everything you need to know about getting your GED online.
How to Get Your GED
Getting your GED is a great way to improve your prospects and earn a higher salary. But what is the process of getting your GED?
In actuality, the process is fairly simple. All you need to do is:
- Sign up or log into the GED Testing Service’s website;
- Choose which subjects you want to take;
- Select the date and time you want to take the test, and;
- Pay for the test.2
Since there are no restrictions on when you need to complete the GED test, you can take the test all at once or each test subject separately.
After scheduling the test, the rest is up to you. In order to pass the test, you must pass each of the four subjects with a minimum score of 145 out of 200.3 So, better get studying.
Who Qualifies to Get a GED?
Although there are no restrictions on how long you can take to complete the GED test, there are certain requirements for who can take the test. To qualify for the GED test, you must:
- Have never graduated from high school;
- Not be currently attending high school, and;
- Be between 16 and 18 years of age.4
Before considering getting your GED, it is recommended that you check the requirements for the state where you reside. Some states don’t offer GED testing, instead opting for the High School Equivalency Test. On the other end, some states may not offer online testing.
Careers Available to Those with a High School Diploma or GED
You may be surprised to learn that there are many well-paying careers available to those with a high school diploma or GED. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for occupations that typically require a high school diploma is markedly lower than those that require additional education.5
However, there are some career options that pay comparatively well with no degree requirement. They are:
- Real Estate Agent6
- Carpenter7
- Woodworker8
- Equipment Operator9
- Delivery Driver10
Online GED Costs
The cost of taking the GED test online can vary depending on the state, but it is slightly more expensive than taking the test in person. The cost may vary quite a bit with the District of Columbia being among the least expensive and Georgia among the most.
Be aware that if you choose to take the GED test online, you will be required to take the GED Ready practice test for each of the four subjects. This adds an additional cost per subject, which can lead to more money spent repeating the practice test if you fail.11
Online GED Programs
Considering all the costs associated with getting your GED, it is beneficial to do your best the first chance you get. To do your best, you will need to study. Fortunately, there are a good number of online programs available that can help you prepare for everything on the GED test.
It is encouraged to research your options online to find the best GED program for your time and budget. To help you in that decision, here are some programs that are worth considering.
GED Live
If you want to go through the official source, GED Live is the program for you. Signing up for this program, gives you access to live and on-demand classes from top-rated instructors from Kaplan Test Prep for 45 days for a single module or 90 days for all four subjects.
The classes are all online, making them accessible on any Internet-connected device. Moreover, at 60 to 90 minutes, the classes are the right length to keep your attention. And even if you miss a class or want to review course materials, all classes are recorded to view whenever you like.12
UGO Prep
As the self-proclaimed “Ultimate GED Exam Cheat Sheet”, UGO Prep will teach you everything you need to pass the GED test in as little as two weeks. Moreover, UGO Prep makes it their number one priority to help you pass the GED test both quickly and effortlessly. They achieve this through a comprehensive package that features:
- 13 math GED tests;
- Eight science GED tests;
- Six reading and social science GED tests;
- Two writing GED tests;
- 1,500 practice questions, and;
- Multiple GED review guides with over 200 slides written by experts.13
Become
If you have a tight budget, consider Become’s GED test prep. All the lessons, practice tests, flashcards, and study guides available through Become are ad-supported. However, if you find the ads to be distracting, they can be turned off through a one-time payment.
While Become offers unlimited online access for all their content, you can purchase a Premium account for a one-time payment to get everything available offline through downloadable PDFs. In addition to the PDFs, a Premium account is ad-free, includes bonus content, and features Exam mode.14