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Get Your GED and Beyond

Many jobs expect you to have your GED or high school diploma before applying. What do you need to do to earn your GED?

What is a GED?

GED stands for General Educational Development. The GED is seen as equal to a high school diploma by most colleges and employers.

The GED is four tests. Passing all four parts of the GED test is the same as completing high school. To earn a diploma from high school, you must successfully finish four years of school. There is a lot of information to learn for the GED.

Plan to Earn Your GED Soon?

The GED is four written tests. To earn a GED, you must pass all four tests:

  1. Reasoning Through Language Arts
  2. Social Studies
  3. Science
  4. Math

You can take each test one at a time. If you do not pass a test you can take it two more times before there is a waiting period. Once you have passed all four tests, you have earned your GED diploma.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education

Plan to Earn Your GED in the Future?

Adult Basic Education Centers (ABE Centers) offer free classes to help Minnesota residents prepare for the GED tests. You can also take the tests at ABE Centers.

To find an ABE Center, go to the Minnesota Literacy Council's website. It has a search tool to help you learn about ABE centers in your area: www.mnliteracy.org/hotline

Other Educational Options

There are other options available to you. Some you can do before you finish your GED. Most are education or job training options that require you to have a GED before you can start. Find out more about your education options.