How to Pass the GED Test Online: A Step-by-Step Guide

You’ve decided to earn your GED. That single decision puts you on a path that more than 21 million GED graduates have already taken — people who walked into a testing center with nerves and walked out with the credential that unlocked college, better jobs, and a future that felt out of reach. You can do this.

The GED isn’t about being “smart enough.” It’s about preparation. The test measures high school equivalency across four subjects, and every one of them is coachable. Here’s exactly how to prepare, what to expect, and how to pass — all without stepping into a classroom.

What Is the GED Test?

The GED (General Educational Development) test is a four-subject exam that certifies you have high school-level academic skills. It’s accepted by nearly all colleges and employers, according to GED Testing Service. The four subjects are:

• Mathematical Reasoning — 115 minutes. Algebra, quantitative problem-solving, and basic geometry. An onscreen calculator is available on Part 2 of the test, along with a formula sheet; at a test center you may bring your own TI-30XS.
• Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) — 150 minutes. Reading comprehension, grammar, and a 45-minute extended response essay. The 150 minutes include a 10-minute break.
• Science — 90 minutes. Life science, physical science, and earth/space science. Focused on reading and interpreting scientific data.
• Social Studies — 70 minutes. U.S. history, civics, economics, and geography. Reading-based with document analysis.

Each subject is scored from 100 to 200. You need at least 145 per subject to pass — that’s 145 or higher on every subject, because a high score in one subject can’t make up for a low score in another. Scoring 165 or above earns you a “College Ready” designation; scoring 175 or above earns “College Ready + Credit,” which may qualify you for college course credits.

Step 1: Set Your Target Test Date

Deciding when you’ll test is the single most effective thing you can do to stay on track. Without a date, it’s too easy to let prep slide. Here’s a realistic timeline:

Pick a target date that’s realistic for your life — not aspirational. If you have a job, kids, or both, be honest about how many hours you can carve out.

Step 2: Take a Practice Test for Every Subject — Today

Before you study anything, take a full practice test for each of the four subjects. This gives you a baseline. You’ll likely find one or two subjects where you’re already close to passing, and one or two where you have real ground to cover. That’s useful information — it tells you where to spend your time.

PrepNovat’s GED practice starts with 20 free questions with rationales across all four subjects, so you can see where you stand before you start studying. The full GED Exam bank adds 2,000+ questions when you need more volume.

Explore the GED Exam bank (start with 20 free questions) →

Step 3: Study by Subject, Not All at Once

Don’t bounce between subjects every day. Block your schedule so you focus on one or two subjects per week. A sample 8-week plan:

• Weeks 1–2: Mathematical Reasoning (the subject most people need the most time for).
• Weeks 3–4: Reasoning Through Language Arts.
• Weeks 5–6: Science.
• Weeks 7–8: Social Studies, plus retaking full-length practice tests in your weakest subjects.

Within each subject block, alternate between learning new material and drilling practice questions. After every study session, answer 10 to 15 practice questions on what you just covered. It locks in the learning.

Step 4: Prepare for the Online Testing Format

The GED is available both at testing centers and online. If you’re testing from home, you need to meet these requirements:

• A private room with four walls and a closed door, with no one else in it.
• A Windows or Mac computer with a webcam, microphone and reliable internet. Pearson VUE lists at least 6 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload, and Chromebooks and Linux aren’t supported. Run the system test before you book.
• A current (not expired) government-issued photo ID, such as a passport, driver’s license, learner’s permit or state ID card. Military IDs aren’t accepted for online testing.
• A “green” (Likely to Pass) score on the official GED Ready practice test for each subject you want to take online, earned within the last 60 days.
• Online testing offered in your state. It isn’t available everywhere, so check GED.com’s state list first.
• No notes, books, phones, or other materials on your desk.
• A clear workspace — the proctor will ask you to scan the room with your webcam.

Online testing is convenient, but it’s also strict. Leaving the webcam view, letting someone into the room, or keeping your phone, headphones or watch within reach can get your test revoked, and talking or mumbling out loud brings a warning. Treat it like you’re in a testing center.

New to the process? Our guide on how to get your GED online covers eligibility, the GED Ready requirement, cost and how to avoid scams.

What Makes the GED Challenging (and How to Handle It)

Math Anxiety

If math makes you nervous, you’re not alone. But here’s the thing: the GED math test gives you an onscreen calculator on Part 2 and a formula sheet, and the questions test reasoning more than computation. If word problems intimidate you, practice translating them into the question they’re actually asking. Practice questions with step-by-step rationales help a lot here.

The Essay

The RLA extended response asks you to read two passages and write an argument citing evidence from both. You’re graded on how well you analyze the arguments and construct your own — not on whether your opinion is “correct.” Practice the structure: clear thesis, evidence from both passages, your analysis, and a strong conclusion. Time yourself. You have 45 minutes.

Reading Stamina

Three of the four GED subjects are primarily reading-based. If you’re not used to focused reading for extended periods, build your stamina gradually. Start with 20-minute reading blocks and work up to 70-minute blocks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you take the GED test online at home?

Yes. In most states, you can take the official online proctored GED test, delivered through Pearson VUE’s OnVUE software. You need a computer with a webcam, a stable internet connection, a private room, a current government-issued photo ID, and a “green” GED Ready score from the last 60 days for each subject you take online. A live proctor monitors you throughout. Online testing isn’t offered in every state, so check GED.com first.

How much does the GED test cost?

Each state sets its own GED price, and GED.com lists the online and test-center prices separately. Select your state on GED.com’s Price and State Rules page to see the exact cost. Some states offer free or discounted testing to people who qualify. Check your state’s GED testing website.

How long does it take to get GED results?

Scores come the same day. GED.com lists same-day scoring for both online and test-center testing, and you’ll find your results in your GED.com account.

What happens if I fail one subject?

You can retake any subject individually. At a test center, you can retake a subject up to two times with no waiting period, then wait 60 days before each further attempt, and discounted retakes apply (check your state’s details on GED.com). Online, you can retake once right away, then wait 60 days after your second attempt, and online retakes aren’t discounted. You don’t have to retake subjects you’ve already passed — each subject score stands on its own.

Is the GED harder than high school?

The GED is designed to be equivalent in difficulty to a high school education. Many test-takers find it manageable with proper preparation. The key difference is that the GED requires you to demonstrate your knowledge on four subject tests rather than across semesters of coursework, and you can take those tests one at a time.