Washington GED: Earn Your GED in Washington State

Earning a GED in Washington

The GED Test

The GED is made up of five tests measuring knowledge and skills in reading, writing, science, social studies and mathematics. The exam covers information you would have learned had you graduated from high school.

Eligibility Requirements

You are eligible to take the GED if you are a resident of Washington and you:

• Have not graduated from and are 19 years old.
• Are between 16 and 18 years old and have an official Request to Test Form signed by the superintendent of the last school you attended.
• Are between 16 and 18 years old, have completed an approved home-based instruction program and submitted an official form signed by your parents or legal guardians who provided the instruction.
• Are an active member of the military, reserves or National Guard.
• Are adjudicated to a state or county facility. You are eligible to take the GED under certain circumstances when ordered by the court or an officer of the court.

Testing Centers

The GED must be taken at an official testing center. The state GED Office maintains an updated testing center directory on its website where you can locate a center near you. Contact the center to find out about testing schedules, directions and other information. You must also contact your local center if you need to request special accommodations.

Passing Scores

The minimum passing score set by the GED Testing Service is 2250, which is a minimum of 410 on each sub-test. If you're taking the test as a prerequisite for admittance to a college or university, check first to find out if they require a minimum score on the GED.

Preparing for the Test

You can prepare for the exam by taking practice tests, enrolling in classes or studying manuals. Adult education programs usually provide GED instruction, and the staff can usually give you a practice test, help you enroll in courses or refer you to programs and resources. A directory of preparation centers is also available on the American Council of Education's official GED Testing Service website.

Some online preparation programs may provide feedback and tutorial help with an actual instructor. Televised GED programs are sometimes offered through the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).