The GED test costs $36 to $46 per subject in most of the states we checked. With four subjects to pass, that’s $144 to $184 in total. A few states cover the fee: New York and West Virginia pay for the test, and Connecticut charges only a $13 registration fee.
Your final bill depends on where you live, how you test, and how much prep you buy. GED Testing Service says most people spend about $120 to $200 in total to earn the credential. This guide breaks down state prices, retakes, practice tests, and the HiSET, an alternative exam.
All four GED subjects in Illinois or Tennessee
at $36 per subject, at a test center or online
How Much Does the GED Test Cost in Each State?
Each state sets its own GED price, so the official GED.com page for your state is the final word. In most states, the test costs the same at a test center or online. Texas is one exception, where online testing costs $6 more per subject.
By state
GED Test Price in Six Example States
| State | Test center (per subject) | Online (per subject) | Test center retake |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $41 | $41 | Discounted retake included |
| Florida | $38 | Not listed | $12 test center fee |
| Georgia | $46 | $46 | $20 |
| Illinois | $36 | $36 | $10 test center fee |
| Tennessee | $36 | $36 | $10 test center fee |
| Texas | $36.25 | $42.25 | $16.25 test center fee |
State prices from each state’s page on GED.com, checked Oct 5, 2026. Online retakes cost the full subject price in these states. Full references in the Sources section.
Buying a subject at a test center usually comes with a discounted retake. In Florida, Illinois, and Georgia, you get one discounted retake for each subject you buy but don’t pass, valid for 365 days. Online retakes cost the full price, such as $36 in Illinois and Tennessee.
States Where the GED Is Free or Discounted
Several states pay part or all of the fee for residents. Most programs come with conditions, such as age, residency, or enrolling in an adult education class.
- New York: the state pays for GED testing, so test takers pay nothing.
- West Virginia: the test and retakes are free. You must first enroll in adult education or the Option Pathway program and pass GED Ready.
- Connecticut: residents pay $0 per subject, plus a $13 registration fee.
- Texas: the HSE Subsidy Program pays GED fees for eligible residents 21 and older.
- Tennessee: vouchers may cover the test if you attend a local adult education program.
- Illinois: a $26 promo code was available on GED.com in October 2026, while funding lasts.
Some employers also cover the test through GEDWorks, a GED Testing Service program. You can check whether your employer takes part when you create a GED.com account.
Free testing still needs planning. Check your state’s age and residency rules before you book, because test centers turn away candidates who don’t meet them.
What Else Adds to the Cost of a GED?
The test itself is the only required cost. Everything else is optional, and many learners spend little or nothing on prep. Here’s what GED Testing Service lists as typical extras:
- GED Ready practice test: $7.99 per subject, or $25.99 for all four.
- Study materials: free to $100 or more.
- GED classes: free to $500 or more.
- GED+: $139 per subject, or $449 for all four, with an advisor, study tools, and tests until you pass.
GED Ready is the official practice test, and it’s worth the few dollars. It shows whether you’re likely to pass each subject before you pay for the real thing. In West Virginia, you must pass it before you can schedule the GED test.
Free and Low-Cost GED Classes
Adult education programs are the cheapest way to get structured teaching. Georgia, for example, offers free classes, resources, and practice tests through state-approved programs. Community colleges and local adult learning centers run similar programs in many states.
Every GED graduate has a unique story, but they all share something important: the decision to invest in themselves and their future.
CT Turner, President of GED Testing Service
Classes suit learners who like a schedule and a teacher to ask. If you need more flexibility, self-study with official practice tests is often enough.
Private GED Tutors
A private tutor gives you one-on-one help tailored to your pace. Rates vary by tutor, subject, and city, and many tutors teach online. Tutoring often makes sense for one hard subject, such as math, rather than all four.
- A study plan built around your strengths and weaknesses
- Flexible scheduling around work or family
- Focused practice on the subject you find hardest
- Test-taking strategies and time-management tips
GED vs. HiSET: Which Costs Less?
The HiSET is another high school equivalency exam, run by PSI. It has five subtests rather than four, because language arts splits into reading and writing. Around 30 states and territories offer it, and some, such as Tennessee, offer both exams.
HiSET prices also vary by state. In Iowa, each subtest costs $18 at a test center, or $90 for all five. Testing at home costs $41 per subtest in Iowa. Maine residents take the HiSET for free, while non-residents pay $60 per subtest.
Some states offer only the GED, some only the HiSET, and some both. Compare the price of each in your state before you start studying, since the formats differ.
What’s on the GED Test?
The GED has four subjects, and you need a score of at least 145 on each one to pass. You don’t have to take them all at once. Many people book one subject at a time, which also spreads out the cost.
- Mathematical Reasoning: 115 minutes
- Reasoning Through Language Arts: 150 minutes
- Social Studies: 70 minutes
- Science: 90 minutes
Higher scores can pay off later. A score of 165 to 174 counts as College Ready, which may exempt you from placement tests. A score of 175 to 200 may qualify you for up to 10 college credit hours per subject.
How Do You Register for the GED?
You register, schedule, and pay for the test through a free account on GED.com. The site shows your state’s price and rules once you select your area. You then choose between testing online or at a local test center.
- Age: usually 18 or older, though New York, Connecticut, and West Virginia set 19, with exceptions for younger test takers.
- ID: a non-expired, government-issued photo ID at a test center.
- Payment: the fee for each subject you book.
Bring the right ID on test day. GED.com warns that test takers without proper identification are turned away and lose their test payments.
How to Choose a GED Prep Course or Tutor
A good course or tutor saves you money by helping you pass the first time. Look at these points before you sign up:
- Experience: a background in GED prep or adult education.
- Personal approach: a plan that targets your weak subjects.
- Reviews: feedback from past students.
- Materials: practice tests, study guides, and regular progress checks.
- Schedule: sessions that fit around work and family.
- Trial: a first session or sample material before you commit.
Questions to Ask a GED Tutor
A short conversation before you book tells you a lot. These questions help you check the fit:
- What teaching methods do you use, and how do you adapt them?
- How will you assess my level in each subject?
- Can you build me a personal study plan?
- Which practice tests and materials do you recommend?
- How many hours a week should I study?
- Can I reach you with questions between sessions?
Sources
- "Price and State Rules," GED Testing Service. Available at: https://www.ged.com/about-test/price-and-rules.html. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.
- "How Much Does Getting a GED Cost? Fees, Courses, and Materials," GED Testing Service. Available at: https://www.ged.com/blog/how-much-does-getting-a-ged--cost--fees--courses---amp--material.html. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.
- "California," GED Testing Service. Available at: https://www.ged.com/policies/california.html. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.
- "Florida," GED Testing Service. Available at: https://www.ged.com/policies/florida.html. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.
- "Georgia," GED Testing Service. Available at: https://www.ged.com/policies/georgia.html. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.
- "Illinois," GED Testing Service. Available at: https://www.ged.com/policies/illinois.html. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.
- "Tennessee," GED Testing Service. Available at: https://www.ged.com/policies/tennessee.html. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.
- "Texas," GED Testing Service. Available at: https://www.ged.com/policies/texas.html. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.
- "New York," GED Testing Service. Available at: https://www.ged.com/policies/new-york.html. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.
- "Connecticut," GED Testing Service. Available at: https://www.ged.com/policies/connecticut.html. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.
- "West Virginia," GED Testing Service. Available at: https://www.ged.com/policies/west-virginia.html. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.
- "The Official GED Practice Test," GED Testing Service. Available at: https://www.ged.com/study/ged-ready.html. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.
- "GED+," GED Testing Service. Available at: https://ged.com/study/ged-plus/. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.
- "Test Subjects," GED Testing Service. Available at: https://www.ged.com/about-test/test-subjects.html. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.
- "Test Scores," GED Testing Service. Available at: https://www.ged.com/about-test/scores.html. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.
- "What to Expect on Test Day," GED Testing Service. Available at: https://www.ged.com/faqs/expect-test-day.html. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.
- "Can You Go to College with a GED?," GED Testing Service. Available at: https://www.ged.com/blog/can-you-go-to-college-with-a-ged.html. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.
- "National GED Day Celebrates Graduates Taking the Next Step Toward College and Careers," GED Testing Service via PR Newswire, 2026. Available at: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-ged-day-celebrates-graduates-taking-the-next-step-toward-college-and-careers-302877961.html. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.
- "State Requirements," The HiSET Exam, PSI. Available at: https://hiset.org/get-started/state-requirements/. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.
- "Iowa," The HiSET Exam, PSI. Available at: https://hiset.org/iowa/. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.
- "Maine," The HiSET Exam, PSI. Available at: https://hiset.org/maine/. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.
- "Test Taker Bulletin 2026," The HiSET Exam, PSI, 2026. Available at: https://hiset.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/hiset_test-taker-bulletin.pdf. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.
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