GED Information


Why a GED?

If you left high school or missed it for various personal reasons you can still earn a certificate that is equal to a high school diploma. It's called GED or General Education Development. It is available in your town's adult school and it's never too late to get a GED!

Why do you need GED?

Many employers require a high school diploma or GED to hire you. Without it, you compete with others who have a diploma or a GED certificate. If you plan to attend college or a vocational school, your GED is also your ticket. You will be advised by the college counselors on where to take your GED before you can proceed with college units.

When can I apply for a GED?

All applicants for a GED must be 18 years or older, or within 60 days of your 18th birthday.

However, if you are 17 years old and have been out of school for at least 60 days in a row, you will need a letter of request from the military, a post-secondary institution or a employer before you may test for GED.

You cannot test for a GED if you are currently enrolled in high school.

If you are in jail or on probation and wish to complete a GED course, ask your officer for assistance who can guide you to what's available within the prison system or in your community.

How do I schedule an appointment for GED testing?

You can schedule an appointment for GED testing through your local testing centers. If you feel you are ready to begin your quest for obtaining your GED, call the testing center nearest you to get started.

Stockton School for Adults

1525 North Pacific Avenue

Stockton 95204 209-933-7455

San Joaquin County Office of Education

2901 Arch-Airport Road

Stockton 65206 209-468-4847

Lodi School for Adults

542 East Pine Street

Lodi 95240 209-331-7605

Manteca Adult School

311 East North Street

Manteca 95336 209-825-3100

Tracy Adult School

315 East 11th Street

Tracy 95376 209-831-5034


How much will it cost?

Testing fees are determined by each testing center. On average, testing centers will charge $75 - $100 to take the entire test, though some centers will charge a higher or lower amount. Most centers will also charge a fee if all or part of the test must be re-taken. These fees include state and national fees plus the cost of materials, the cost of scoring the essay portion of the test, and some of the costs of test administration.

What subjects should I expect to be tested on?

The GED Tests (2002 series) measures knowledge in five different areas: language arts,writing;social studies; science; reading ; and mathematics . An important feature of the GED Tests is an essay that demonstrates your ability to write and communicate effectively.

Test Area

Number Of Questions

The Limit

Language Arts, Writing, Part I 50 75 MInutes
Language Arts, Writing, Part II 1 essay 45 Minutes
Language Arts, Reading 50 70 Minutes
Science 50 80 minutes
Social Studies 40 65 minutes
Mathematics 50 90 minutes


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