You may use a calculator for some parts of the Math test. You must use the calculator provided to you by the Test Center.

You must score a total of at least 2,250 points on all five tests. You must score at least 410 points on each test and obtain an average score of 450 for all five tests.

You may take the exam up to three times in one year. You will need to retake any test with a score below 410 points. You may also retake any tests to raise your total score to 2,250 points. Tell your Chief GED® Examiner if you are registering for a re-test; make sure you bring a copy of your most recent transcript when you register.

To take the GED® Tests in Pennsylvania, you must be a Pennsylvania resident and at least 16 years of age. You are not eligible if you are enrolled in high school or if you already have a U.S. high school diploma.

If you are 16 or 17, you must provide a letter of withdrawal from your school district superintendent or principal and a written request from one of the following: employer; college, university, technical, or trade school official; armed forces recruiting officer; or director of a state institution for residents, patients, or inmates.

If you passed, you will receive a Commonwealth Secondary Diploma and a copy of your transcript in the mail. If you are 16 or 17 years old, you will receive your transcript; you will receive your diploma when you turn 18. If you did not pass, you will receive a copy of your transcript.

The contents of each test, along with standard time limits, are as follows:

• Language Arts: Writing—Part I (50 multiple choice questions, 75 minutes) and Part II (Essay, 45 minutes)
• Social Studies (50 questions, 70 minutes)
• Science (50 questions, 80 minutes)
• Language Arts: Reading (40 questions, 65 minutes)
• Mathematics—Part I, Calculator (25 questions, 45 minutes) and Part II, Non-calculator (25 questions, 45 minutes)

• The Adult Learners’ Training and Assistance (ALTA) Program at Luzerne County Community College provides top quality instruction to help you prepare for the GED test battery. There is no charge for attending the day or evening classes located in Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton; blended and distance learning options are available. Although it is NOT a requirement to attend classes before taking the GED tests, we strongly recommend that you at least try a practice GED test to see if you are sufficiently prepared. ALTA provides the Official Practice Test for program participants once they are enrolled in a class. If you are not able to attend classes, free test preparation and unofficial practice tests are available through several online resources listed below.

All prospective students are asked to attend an orientation which entails a discussion about what the ALTA Program and taking the GED tests can and cannot do for them; Program requirements, area careers-in-demand, and goal setting. Students will also need to take a placement test before being scheduled for classes. Orientations are scheduled approximately every 4-6 weeks. For more info, contact 800-377-5222, ext. 7325 or see our website: www.luzerne.edu/workforce/alta.jsp



• GED for Me! is an easy to use online program designed for adult learners in Pennsylvania who wish to learn independently with support from tutors. As part of their program of study, students enrolled in GED for Me! complete the Peterson’s online practice test series -- timed, full-length GED practice tests designed to prepare you for the actual GED testing experience. Tuition to enroll in GED for Me! is $50. Students who complete the online program and successfully pass the online practice test receive a voucher to pay for their entire GED testing fee at their local GED testing center. For more info, contact 800-727-8854, ext. 106 or the website: www.GEDforMe.org


• The LCCC Continuing Education Department offers online courses that can help you prepare for the GED test battery. For more info, contact 800-377-5222, ext. 7495 or the website: www.luzerne.edu/coned


• The Osterhout Free Library in downtown Wilkes-Barre has study guides and online resources to help you study for the GED. GED study guides are also available in Spanish. GED practice tests are available online through Learning Express Library which can be accessed through the library website at www.osterhout.lib.pa.us. A free library card is needed to use these services. Please call 570-823-0156 ext. 216 for more information.


• Visit your local bookstore or amazon.com to find an extensive array of books relating to GED test preparation. A useful resource is the book Complete GED Preparation published by Steck Vaughan, 800-531-5015.

If you are interested in taking an unofficial GED Practice Test, you can do so online. See the list of websites below:

• GED Testing Service, American Council on Education www.acenet.edu/Content/NavigationMenu/ged/test/Intro_Testtaker.htm
  • Learning Express Library - www.luzerneco.lib.pa.us
  • Steck-Vaughn - www.gedpractice.com
  • PBS Literacy Link/GED Connections - litlink.ket.org
  • Free Online Practice Test - www.4tests.com
• GED for FREE - www.gedforfree.com
• Test Prep Review - www.testprepreview.com
• Study Guide Zone - www.studyguidezone.com/gedtest.htm
• Test Prep Practice - www.testpreppractice.net

The GED® Tests are available in English, Spanish, and French. You must pass all five tests in the same language.

Individuals who have passed the GED Tests may fill out a GED transcript request form (on screen or on paper), then mail in the form and $3.00 fee per transcript in the form of a money order. The $3.00 fee is nonrefundable. Click here to download a transcript request form (pdf).

Requests for GED transcripts MUST be accompanied by a money order for $3.00 per transcript made out to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Transcripts can be picked up at the GED office at the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 333 Market Street, 12th Floor, Harrisburg. With the $3.00 money order and a photo ID, a transcript can be issued while you wait. Duplicate diplomas are not issued. When sending a request, please include:

• Name at time of testing
• Approximate year of testing
• Birth date
• Social security number
• Address where transcript is to be sent
• Phone number where you can be reached during the day
• $3.00 money order or cashier's check for each transcript
• Signature

Mail to:
Commonwealth Diploma Program
333 Market Street, 12th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126
Phone: 717-783-3373, press option 1

If you have specific physical, mental/emotional, or learning disabilities, you may apply for testing accommodations. Ask your Chief GED® Examiner for more information or go to www.paadulted.org or www.GEDtest.org.

For more information on the GED® Tests, visit www.GEDtest.org For information on GED® preparation and testing in Pennsylvania, visit www.paadulted.org or call the State GED® Office at (717) 787-6747. The phone number for the LCCC Official GED® Test Center is 570-740-0601 or email: scawley@luzerne.edu. The LCCC Official GED® Test Center is located at the college’s Corporate Learning Center, 2 Public Square, downtown Wilkes-Barre, PA

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.

Each year, one of every 20 college freshmen holds the GED® diploma! The GED® tests are rigorous. Those who pass the tests have outperformed 40 percent of traditional high school graduating seniors. Ninety-seven (97) percent of colleges and universities accept the GED® diploma as equivalent to a traditional high school diploma.

The following websites are most helpful to plan your college studies: www.collegeforadults.org and www.collegeispossible.org or contact the LCCC Chief GED® Examiner for additional recommendations: Phone: 570-740-0601 or scawley@luzerne.edu