GED Final Test

GED Testing

Testing at Tacoma Community College is by appointment only on assigned Tuesdays and Thursdays.

All reservations must be made 24 hours before testing and paperwork must be completed by 1:00 p.m. the day before testing. To complete the GED, it will take at least 3 weeks to process all sections of the test.

What is the GED Test?

GED stands for General Educational Development. It is a series of five tests that measure people's achievement in five major areas of high school education. When people pass all 5 GED tests and receive a GED certificate, it indicates they have knowledge and skills equivalent to high school graduates.

What forms are available?

We have English, Spanish, & large print versions of the GED available at TCC. Please let us know in advance if you need the Spanish or Large print editions of the test. Please call the Testing Office for more information.

If you have a physical or learning disability that requires special testing accommodations, you must request these in advance using special forms and provide documentation from your doctor. The approval process for special accommodations must go through the state GED office in Olympia and can take several weeks, so contact the Testing Office well in advance of the date you want to test.

What can you use the GED for?

When you fill out applications for jobs or educational programs, you can list your GED as equivalent to a high school diploma. In fact, most employers and colleges, including TCC, accept GED certificates. Some colleges and professions will require higher scores than the minimum passing scores. The Testing Office has more information.

What is on the GED test?

• Writing 50 items plus essay 2 hours
• Mathematics* 50 items 1 hour, 30 minutes (2 parts)
• Social Studies 50 items 1 hour, 10 minutes
• Science 50 items 1 hour, 20 minutes
• Reading 40 items 1 hour, 5 minutes

*The Math test has 2 parts. On part one you may use a calculator that will be provided; on part two you must solve problems with only a pencil and scratch paper. You may not use your own calculator.

Who can take the GED test?

• You may take the GED test if you have not graduated from high school and are 19 years of age or older.
• If you are 16 to 18 years old, and a resident of Washington, you will need to get a “Request for Approval to Test General Educational Development Certificate” or if home schooled, students need a notarized statement from a parent. Forms are available at area High Schools.
• Those age 15 or under are not eligible to take the GED in Washington.

What does it cost?

The fee is $75 and covers all 5 sub tests. This fee is non-refundable once you have gone through the registration process.  You must pay $15 for each retest, if necessary.

Where do you pay the fee?

The test fees are paid at the cashiers located in The Book Store, Building 11. Pay the fee in advance of coming in to do the registration process in Building 7, Assessment Office. You must provide a receipt at registration. No walk-in testing can take place. Pre-registration is mandatory.

What do you need to bring?

• Bring your photo I. D. to each test.
• The calculator for the math test is provided by the Testing Center.
  DO NOT bring your own calculator.
• Once the test has started no one may leave the room.

What is acceptable identification?

The GED Testing Service requires that you verify your identity with a government issued photo I. D. (such as a driver's license).

• I.D.cards from high schools are not acceptable.
• All I. D. cards must contain 5 elements: your name, photo, date of birth, current address and signature.
• If your ID does not contain your current address, bring in another document or piece of mail showing your current address.

The required Registration Session: what happens?

• You must complete Registration at least 24 hours before a testing.
• Registration is done in the Assessment office in Building 7 during business hours. 8:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m.Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. Fridays. The paper work takes about 30 minutes.
• Pay the $75 testing fee at the Book Store and bring the receipt with picture ID and if 18 or under your release from the high school in the district you live.
• The Testing staff will collect your receipt for the testing fee, verify your I. D., confirm your age, and for 16, 17 and 18 year-olds, collect your “Request for Approval to Test General Educational Development Certificate” or if home schooled, a notarized statement from a parent.
• Before registration begins you will fill out several forms.
• During the registration session you will complete a Demographic form and be given other information about the testing.
• You need to bring your photo identification before we can give you the GED test. ( you must bring the photo ID to every testing session)

When and where can you take the test

*All tests are given in the Assessment Center in Building 7.
Please arrive 10 minutes before the test to check in and show your I. D. You may not start late. Late arrivals will not be admitted to the test; you will have to reschedule that appointment.

How do you make an appointment?

• You must register in advance for a testing session.
• Appointments MUST be made at least one day in advance.
• We cannot register people on the day of the test.

Please call the Testing Office at 253.566.5093 to register for a test, which may only be done after paper work is completed. When the message comes on the phone press “0” for the staff to pick-up.

Can you test without an appointment?

• No, the Testing staff needs time to set up your testing material and give you the proper test book.

Suppose you started at another GED Testing Center?

• Please call us in advance if you have started the testing process at another test center, in Washington or in another state.
• If you started in at another test center in Washington you will need to pay TCC's local fees (currently $15 per test, maximum of $75).
• If you started in another state, you MUST bring us an official score report of tests taken in another state and pay the fees listed above.

Testing Sessions: What happens?

At each testing session a Testing staff member will check your ID, hand out materials, read directions, and start all the test-takers at a common time.

During the test you may not take any breaks!

You may leave early if you finish before the time limit is up.

If you are staying for another test, you will need to return approximately 10 minutes before the start of your next exam.

How do you get score results?

Testing staff members will scan the answer sheets and scores are posted in the Assessment Office the next day. You may come into the office with picture ID and receive your scores. If you wish to have any other person to have accessibility to your scores you must list them on the release form and they must have picture ID to get your scores.

The Writing essay is sent out of state readers for scoring and it takes approximately two weeks to get your scores.

NEW TO TCC – if you give an e-mail address on your release form and send an E-mail request using that address to the testing office we will send your scores to you.

WE CANNOT GIVE SCORES OUT OVER THE PHONE.

What are passing scores?

The GED sub tests use a Standard Score that ranges from 200 to 800. The passing score for each sub test is 410. In order to pass the GED and receive a certificate, your overall average for the 5 sub tests must be at least 450.

What if you fail one of the tests?

If you fail a test, you may retake it using a different form. We have 3 forms of each sub test available each year. Retests after a failed test cost $15 each. You should study before you test again, perhaps at GED preparation classes offered by TCC’s Adult Basic Education Staff or the new GED On-line option.

What if I passed, but want a higher score

People who have earned their GED may retest to earn higher scores if required to meet an admission requirement for post secondary education or training or to meet employment conditions. A letter from the Institution or employer will be required and a fee will be charged to retest.

How can you prepare for the GED tests?

You can attend GED preparation classes to help you get ready to take the GED tests. To get started, you must first take the CASAS evaluator in the Assessment Testing office during regular testing times. Once you have taken the CASAS assessment, the Adult Learning Center will call you for a new student orientation. New student orientations are held at the end of each quarter. Students will begin classes the following quarter. If space is available, a second orientation will be held during the second or third week of the quarter.  

The Official GED Practice Test

You may also take the Official GED Practice Test before you take the GED. By taking this test, you can find out quickly which tests you are ready to take and which subject areas you may need to study before testing. Students currently enrolled in the GED program may take the test with a recommendation from the instructor.  If you are not currently enrolled in the GED program at TCC, you may take the GED any of the five subject area tests for $5 per test. Please call ABE for more information at (253) 566.5144. The practice tests are NOT available at the Testing Office.

What if I score very high on the GED?

Students who complete the GED with a total test battery score of 3200 or higher are eligible to apply for the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship.

The Robert C Bryd Honors Scholarship Program is a federally-funded, state- administered program to recognize exceptionally able high school seniors who show promise or continued excellence in post-secondary education. The average award is approximately $1,500 and is renewable for four years.  In Washington State, about three percent of the eligible students are selected for the Washington Honors Awards Program and are invited to apply for this scholar ship though their Senior Counselors.

All candidates for the Robert C Byrd Scholarship, whether high school or GED graduate, must submit scores from the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and/or ACT as well as their high school transcript or GED test scores. To find out where and when the SAT is offered, the candidate should contact the counselor at any high school. The SAT test must be completed by October of the preceding year the application is being submitted.

Robert C Byrd Honors Scholarship eligible students must:

• Be a graduate of a public or private secondary school or have received the recognized equivalent of a high school diploma (GED);
• Be a U.S. citizen or national of the United States or a permanent resident;
• Be a legal resident of the state in which he or she applies; and
• Have applied or been accepted for enrollment at a university or college.

Application packets for the Byrd Scholarship are available from the scholarship Administrator listed below. Please call in March to inquire when the packets will be available.

Students interested in applying for this scholarship must send copies of their 1) SAT test results, and 2) GED test scores to :

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
Robert C Byrd Honors Scholarship Program
PO Box 47200
Olympia, WA 98504-7200

Questions regarding the scholarship or application process should be directed to the State Robert C Byrd Scholarship Administrator at 360.725.6177 or TTY 360.664.3631. You may also write to the address listed above.