GED® Program (General Educational Development)
The Virginia GED program provides an opportunity to recognize the educational development of individuals as a result of their life and/or employment experiences.
The Tests of General Educational Development (GED) are developed by the American Council on Education to enable persons who have not graduated from high school to demonstrate the attainment of abilities normally associated with completion of a high school program of study.
Read about Race to GED, a VDOE workforce initiative, that works to increase the number of Virginia GED grads.
GED Battery of Tests
The GED battery of five tests measures the skills considered to be the major outcomes of a high school education. The tests focus on the major use of skills and concepts rather than upon recall of specific facts. The questions focus on the general abilities to analyze, evaluate, and draw conclusions.
Subject Areas
- Test 1: Language Arts - Writing
- Test 2: Language Arts - Reading
- Test 3: Science
- Test 4: Social Studies
- Test 5: Mathematics
GED Regulations and Requirements
Clarification Regarding GED Testing Eligibility (Revisions Effective July 1, 2006)
Superintendent's Memo (Informational Memo No. 68, Mar. 23, 2007): view Memo
Issuing of Certificates: view Regulations (.pdf)
Current Requirements for Issuing Virginia GED Certificates
- Register by completing the GED application for testing at the local school division in which you live and pay the appropriate testing fee(s). There is a $35.00 fee required to take the entire battery of five tests and a $7.00 fee for each individual test
- Receive a standard score battery average of 450 (total score of 2,250) or higher with no individual test score below 410 to qualify for a Virginia GED Certificate
GED Test Preparation
For information on what you should do to prepare for the GED Test and preparation programs in your area, call 877-37MYGED (877-376-9433.) You may also visit the Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center.
GED Accommodations
Accommodations may be granted to individuals for GED testing who meet specific criteria. For Accommodations forms, go to the Adult Ed Forms page.
GED Testing Preregistration
When you feel prepared to take the GED tests, you may complete the preregistration process online by going to www.GED123.org. This will save time for you and the testing center. To complete preregistration you will need an e-mail address. Just follow the directions on the web site and contact the testing center to complete registration.
After you’ve taken the GED tests, you can go back to the site to see your test results using a special code provided to you. You can also print your own official GED transcript.
GED Testing Sites - 2008
Are you looking for a testing center in your area? View the list of GED testing centers throughout Virginia. Contact the center directly for the current testing schedule. Sites with Contact Information (revised January 11, 2008): view (.pdf)
Locate the nearest GED testing center with your zip code using the American Council on Education's center locator.
GED Transcript and Certificate Requests
Individuals may request duplicate GED transcripts and certificates. Applicable fees may apply. To make a request, please complete and submit a request form: Form (.pdf), or Form (.doc) (Revised April 22, 2008)
Race to GED
The Race to GED is a workforce initiative of the Office of Adult Education, Virginia Department of Education. The goal of the Race to GED is to meet or exceed 20,000 Virginians passing the General Educational Development (GED) Tests annually. GED graduates are a vital component of a globally competitive workforce that strengthens existing business and supports economic growth and development in Virginia.
Race to GED is an innovative approach to adult education based on two instructional programs: GED Fast Track and GED Prep. These two programs assess what a person already knows and prescribe instruction to prepare adults for success on GED Tests. The time it takes to earn a GED is dramatically shortened, from one year required in traditional adult education, to three months or less with GED Fast Track and only 180 days with GED Prep.
The initiative targets working age adults, 18 to 64 years of age, who are employed or employable and can demonstrate academic readiness to prepare for and pass the English version of the GED Tests. GED graduates are competent in the workplace, qualified for advancement to higher-level skills, and capable of achieving in post secondary education or technical-skills certification.
Outreach
The Office of Adult Education and Literacy and the Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center have created a variety of outreach materials for local programs to use in their recruitment efforts. Local programs can also share the materials they’ve created. To view these materials, please visit the Outreach page.
GED Test Information
Direct: 804-786-4642
Recording: 804-371-2334
E-mail: gedinfo@doe.virginia.gov
Public Service Announcements (PSA) and Personal Stories
Listen to a PSA developed for the Race to GED.
Meet some of the Virginians who have increased their earning power through the Race to GED. (Requires Windows Media Player)
- Video - Personal Accounts Play
Press Releases
October 12, 2007: Governor Kaine announces a public-private partnership that will provide for on-demand GED instruction for Virginians who are subscribers to Comcast and Cox's digital cable services. For more information, read the Governor's News Release.
October 21, 2005: Governor Mark R. Warner announces Race to GED progress at the Martinsville Speedway. Read more...
May 12, 2005: Governor Mark R. Warner introduces NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver and Emporia native Elliott Sadler as the spokesman for the 2005 Race to GED. Over the past year, Race to GED has helped thousands of Virginians earn a GED certificate in much less time than in traditional adult education programs. Elliott Sadler urges Virginians to "start their engines" for higher paying jobs.
Funding and Reports
The Office of Adult Education makes state funds available for grants to support the Race to GED.
Grants & Funding
GED is a registered trademark of the American Council on Education and may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of the American Council on Education.