Question: Who can take the GED?
Answer: Anyone who is 19 years or older, who has not graduated from an accredited high school can apply to take the GED.

Quesiton: How old do I have to be to take the GED?
Answer: Minimum age is 16 yrs old with written approval from a parent, guardian or court official and the local school superintendent or his/her designee must sign the age waiver from on application. Refer to www.ode.state.oh.us for application instructions.

Question: Do I need a work permit to take the GED?
Answer: No. But, if you are under 19 yr. old, you do need the signature of the superintendent from the school district from where you last attended or currently reside, that shows that you have officially withdrawn from school; or you have been home schooled; or you currently reside in a district in which you never attended school.

Question: Who needs to sign the application for those 18 yrs old?
Answer: The local superintendent or his/her designee, from the school where the applicant last attended or where he or she currently resides.

-OR-

If the applicant¹s class has graduated, one can attach an official school transcript that demonstrates the class from which you last attended school has graduated.

Question: If I show up late, and they have already started the instructions, can I still sit for that GED testing session?
Answer: No! If you are late, you will have to reschedule. All instructions are important for all test-takers and other examination preparations have already been adjusted as a result of your being late. Get there early next time!

Question: What if, after I have begun testing, I have an emergency and have to leave before completing all parts of the GED test?
Answer: If you leave or do not return as scheduled, prior to completing all parts of the test form you have begun, the examiner will collect all test materials and end this GED test form session. You must reapply and register to take a different form of the GED test. You must pay the application fee again if you didn¹t have a fee waiver.

Question: What if I forget my proper ID, can I bring it back after the test?
Answer: No! Without proper ID, no one will be allowed in the test room. Of course, if an examiner personally knows you and will verify your identity, then you may be allowed to test.

FYI EXAMINER: If an examiner makes a personal identification, he or she must submit with the score sheet, his or her signed statement verifying the student¹s identification.

Question: Do I have to use my social security number when applying for a GED or Official Practice Test?
Answer: No! Use of an applicant¹s social security number is the applicant¹s choice. If an applicant decides not to use his or her SS #, a Security Number must be inserted (using applicant zip code and date of birth). Remember: If applicant uses the Security Number option on the application and fee waiver, the same number must be used on the Official GED test.

Question: Do I get the special accommodations I had in High School when taking the GED?
Answer: Not necessarily. The State GED Office must approve special accommodations in advance of taking the GED test.

The applicant must obtain a SA-001 or L-15 and an Accommodation Tracking Form from the test site where he or she plans to eventually take the test. Once the proper forms are complete and sent to the State GED Office, the requested accommodations may or may not be approved. You will receive a formal letter stating what accommodations are approved and for what reason(s).

Question: Can I bring my own color overlay or other item as a special accommodations I had in High School when taking the GED?
Answer: Possibly! Anything a student wants to bring into the testing room and keep at his or her seat to assist in testing must:

1. Be allowed per the No Prior Approval necessary list: Large Print/Seat near natural light/Split Testing Days/Large Button Calculator/Non-ruled glide/Graph paper/Seat cushion/Seat near direct lighting/Magnifying strip/overlay/Colored overlay/Drink (i.e. soda, water/Ear plugs/Manipulative/Other (call ahead); and
2. Be inspected and approved by the test administrator prior to testing; and
3. Be noted on the header sheet.

Question: Can I get a refund if I decide not to test and I have already sent my money in for processing?
Answer: No! The application you sign clearly states that the application fee is non-refundable once it has been entered and approved.

Question: What is the GED web site address?
Answer: www.ode.state.oh.us , go to "TOPIC" and click on "GED; our application, transcript request form and test sites are listed under "GED Links".

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Question: Why did I fail the GED?
Answer: You did not earn an Ohio GED because your sub-test scores did not meet the minimum score requirements (410 on each sub-test) or your overall total score was below 2250.

You may need additional training in a specific subject area, or you may not have been prepared to take the test at that point in time.

Question: When can I re-take the GED?
Answer: You can re-take the GED and the Official Practice Test (OPT) as listed below: If you do not pass the GED or OPT by:
• 1-50 points, you must wait 30 days before re-testing.
• 51-100 points, you must wait 60 days before re-testing.
• 101-or more points, you must wait 120 days before re-testing.

Question: Can I re-test before the published waiting period?
Answer: You may request in writing to the GED State Office that the waiting period be waived.

Waivers will granted if:
 

Applicant attaches to application, a letter stating the low scores are reflective of a life crisis (e.g. death in the family or other extreme life crisis); OR
1. Applicant attaches to application a letter from Adult Basic Literacy Education instructor asking to waive the waiting period because of additional classes taken; AND
2. A form showing the applicant has met the minimum sub-test score (410) and a total score (2250) on a subsequent Official Practice Test.

Question: If I do not pass a sub-test, do I have to take the entire GED test again?
Answer: No! As in the past, an applicant only has to re-test the sub-test(s) he or she does not have a minimum score of 410. However, if the applicant has met the minimum sub-test scoring requirement of 410 on each sub-test and not the minimum overall total score of 2250, the applicant¹s best chance of success is to take more than one sub-test to achieve the minimum overall score (Don¹t bet the bank on one race! Don¹t put all your eggs in one basket).

Question: How can I get my scores from another state?
Answer: Contact that States Department of Education and request that an official transcript to be sent directly to the State GED Office in Columbus. Phone numbers for all states are located on the American Council on Education¹s web site- www.acenet.edu
 

Question: Where can I get a copy of my diploma?
Answer: The diploma is issued one time only. However, an "Official Transcript", which is official proof of a GED, may be obtained by printing, completing and sending to the address on the form. The "Transcript Request" form is on the ODE web site: www.ode.state.oh.us

Question: Where can I walk in and get a transcript the same day?
Answer: Transcripts may be obtained on walk-in basis only in Columbus. Go to the Ohio Department of Education GED Office, located at 25 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio. Applicant must have $10 exact cash or money order and picture identification.

Question: What if my name, security #, birthdate, etc. is incorrect on my diploma?
Answer: Draw a line through any errors, write the correction above the error. Mail both parts of the diploma (original-no copies) to the Columbus GED office. We will correct and re-issue a new diploma. The Columbus GED office address is on the front of the diploma.

If the social security number is incorrect, include a copy of your social security card or valid driver¹s license with social security number on it.

Question: What if I took the GED in the military prior to 1974?
Answer: If you are an Ohio resident, you should request that DANTES send your scores to the Ohio GED Office. You must submit a written request with a $10 money order to:
Defense Activity for Non-traditional Educational Support (DANTES)
CN 6605
Princeton, NJ 08541-6605

Question: What if I took the GED in the military after 1974?
Answer: If you are an Ohio resident, you should request that the American Council on Education send your scores to the Ohio GED Office. You must submit a written request with a $10 money order to:
Program Secretary
The American Council on Education
GED Testing Service
One Dupont Circle NW
Washington, DC 20036-1193

Question: Is there a special High School Diploma for Veterans?
Answer: If you are a World War II veteran, you should contact the Governor¹s Office of Veteran¹s Affairs at 614.644.0898.
 

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