In this post, we look at the GED Test Online Cost vs At A Test Center.
In most states that offer the online GED test, you are charged the same price for taking the GED test online or at a physical GED test center.
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To prepare for the four GED sub-exams, please check out this website’s free GED online classes and practice tests. That’s a good way to start your preparation!
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So, the price of the GED test has become less complex. Most states charge $36 per subject regardless of whether the GED test is taken at a GED test center or in an online proctored format.
However, some states charge only $26 for an in-person test at a test center and $36 for online testing, and some states charge more. Scroll down to check how it works in your state.
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Please note that if you choose online testing, you will additionally need to take the GED Ready practice test for each of the four modules.
This practice test costs $6.99 per subject, and you need to score in the “green” (“likely to pass”) zone before you can take the GED exam online. But sometimes, GED Testing Service offers the GED Ready test at a discounted rate.
This means that the cost of taking the GED exam online raises an additional $6.99 per subject. There is also the possibility that you will need to repeat the GED Ready test, so keep it in mind.
It’s also worth mentioning that you don’t need to take all 4 subject tests at once. Your GED test score will not expire in most states until a new version of the GED test will be introduced, so you take one test per month or even per year.
Online GED testing is NOT available in New York, Massachusetts, Florida, Wyoming, West Virginia, and Hawaii.
GED Test Online Cost by State – Test Center vs Online
Here is an overview of what states use and the cost for the full exam. The HiSET exam has different fees for computer-based and paper-formatted testing.
Please note that most states have raised the price of GED testing to $36 per subject test, regardless of whether you take the exam online or at a testing facility.
GED Test Online Cost Vs. Cost at a Test Center. The listed prices are per subject test. We will adjust this page when more information becomes available:
| State | GED Test Cost at a Test Center | Cost of the GED Online Test | Residency required? |
| Alabama | $36.00 | $36.00 | No |
| Alaska | $36.00 | $36.00 | No |
| Arizona | $41.00 | $41.00 | No |
| Arkansas | $4.00 | $36.00 | Yes |
| California | $41.00 | $41.00 | Yes |
| Colorado | $43.50 | $43.50 | No |
| Connecticut | $0 ($13.00 registration fee) | $0 ($13.00 registration fee) | Yes |
| Delaware | $36.00 | $36.00 | Yes |
| District of Columbia | $3.75 | $36.00 | Yes |
| Florida | $32.00 | – | No |
| Georgia | $46.00 | $46.00 | No |
| Hawaii | $43.50 | – | No |
| Idaho | $36.00 | $36.00 | No |
| Illinois | $36.00 (Now Free) | $36.00 (Now Free) | Yes |
| Indiana | $30.00 | $36.00 | Yes |
| Iowa | No GED-HiSET | – | No |
| Kansas | $39.00 | $39.00 | No |
| Kentucky | $36.00 | $36.00 | Yes |
| Louisiana | $36 | $36.00 | No |
| Maine | No GED-HiSET | – | No |
| Maryland | $36.00 (1st-time testers: $14.25) | $36.00 (1st-time testers: $14.25) | Yes |
| Massachusetts | $36.00-Now Free | – | Yes |
| Michigan | $43.50 | $43.50 | No |
| Minnesota | $36.00 | $36.00 | No |
| Mississippi | $36.00 | $36.00 | No |
| Missouri | $36.00 | $36.00 | Yes |
| Montana | #36.00 | $36.00 | Yes |
| Nebraska | $36.00 | $36.00 | No |
| Nevada | $31.00 | $31.00 | Yes |
| New Hampshire | $36.00 | $36.00 | Yes |
| New Jersey | $36.00 | $36.00 | Yes |
| New Mexico | $26.00 | $36.00 | No |
| New York | Free | – | Yes |
| North Carolina | $26.00 | $36.00 | No |
| North Dakota | $36.00 | $36.00 | No |
| Ohio | $36.00 | $36.00 | Yes |
| Oklahoma | $41.00 | $41.00 | No |
| Oregon | $44.00 | $44.00 | No |
| Pennsylvania | $36.00 | $36.00 | Yes |
| Rhode Island | $36.00 | $36.00 | Yes |
| South Carolina | $37.50 | $43.50 | Yes |
| South Dakota | $50.00 | $50.00 | No |
| Tennessee | $36.00 | $36.00 | No |
| Texas | $36.25 | $42.25 | Yes |
| Utah | $36.00 | $36.00 | No |
| Vermont | $36.00 | $36.00 | No |
| Virginia | $36.00 | $36.00 | No |
| Washington | $36.00 | $36.00 | Yes |
| West Virginia | Free | – | Yes |
| Wisconsin | $39.75 | $39.75 | Yes |
| Wyoming | $26.00 | – | No |
As you see, you get a different price indication depending on the state where you live and how you want to/need to take the exam. Please note that Illinois lowered the cost of GED testing considerably and now offers the GED test at no cost as well!
Obviously, students who want to take the online test need to account for extra costs (online GED test + 4 GED Ready tests), but if you compare it with the costs of traveling to a traditional testing center, it might be worth it.
On the GED test, the first two retakes are offered at a discounted rate when taken at a testing facility. On the Online Proctored GED Test, however, there are no discounted rates available.
States without the GED Test
Some states offer a different exam instead of the GED test. This exam is the HiSET exam. Passing the GED or HiSET exam gives you a High School Equivalency Diploma. This diploma has the same value as a regular high school diploma, so you can use it for getting into college or trade/vocational school.
Two states do NOT offer the GED test; they offer the HiSET alternative:
- Iowa – HiSET (no GED)
- Maine – HiSET (no GED)
Free GED Test
Five states offer GED or HiSET testing at no cost: West Virginia, Illinois, New York, Maine, and Connecticut.
In Connecticut, however, GED testing is free for applicants under 21 and veterans only. All others pay $13 for the entire GED battery. To qualify for free testing, students need to provide proof of Connecticut residency for at least 30 days. New York offers the GED exam for free to state residents.
Proof of residency is an official document that shows the student’s address, such as a bank statement, a utility bill (phone, water, gas), a voter registration card, etc.
Many states offer first-time testers free GED or HiSET testing, and the number of states that do so grows. Learn more in this post.
Taking the GED Test in a Different State
Many students ask us if they can take the online GED test in a state other than the one where they live. The answer is that it depends on the state. Some states require proof of residency from GED candidates; others do not. Keep also in mind that GED ID requirements may vary from state to state, so get optimally informed!
For example, GED candidates in Maryland are required to present proof of residency, but in Idaho, it’s not needed. Both states offer online testing possibilities, but in Maryland, the price of the GED test is subsidized by the state, and it’s just $11.25 per subject for first-time testers, while in Idaho, students need to pay $36 per subject.
Practically all states that require residency have the same policies. The ID has to be a document that mentions a student’s name and the address in that particular state. The most popular documents shown as proof of residency are bank statements and phone bills.
But if a state offers the online GED test and does NOT require state residency, you may very well take the online proctored GED exam there. Your GED diploma will be issued by the state where you completed your last of the four GED sub-exams.
GED Retests and Costs
In case students don’t pass a GED subtest, they can retake that test.
The first two retakes on each GED module are offered at reduced rates. GED Testing Service will waive the fee ($25), but, in general, a testing site fee is due (often $10 per subtest). So, students can receive 8 free (2 for each subject) or reduced-price retakes, but they need to attempt to take these retakes within a year after the first (failed) exam.
Please bear in mind that this retake policy doesn’t apply to online testing! This only counts for tests taken at traditional testing centers.
GED Test Prep
It’s also important to remember that you should think about the cost of GED preparation. Almost every student needs some form of preparation.
You can use free online GED practice tests and lessons such as those featured on this website, Khan Academy, or YouTube videos, and there are also plenty of great premium GED prep courses, such as GED Academy or Onsego’s accredited GED Program, available at a modest fee. And, of course, you can also sign up for a traditional prep class offered by many schools and organizations.
Many students also buy books. The most popular GED prep book is Kaplan GED test prep. If you have a library card, you can borrow this book from your local library.
Whatever you choose, make sure you are well-prepared before taking the GED test.
GED Test Alternatives
Six states do not offer the GED test. Instead, these states utilize the HiSET exam. The TASC exam was discontinued. The HiSET assessment is another option that delivers the same result.
Similar to the GED test, students who successfully complete the HiSET exam also receive their High School Equivalency (HSE) diplomas.
Residents of West Virginia who want to secure a High School Equivalency diploma can take the GED or HiSET test. This state subsidizes the exam, and it’s free to residents.
Cost of All High School Equivalency Tests by State
Please note that most states have raised the price of on-site GED testing to the same level as online testing, $36 per subject test ($144 for the full GED battery). We will adjust this page when more information is available.
Online GED testing is not offered in Hawaii, Florida, New York, Massachusetts, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
- Alabama: GED – $36 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$36 per subject.
- Alaska: GED – $36 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$36 per subject.
- Arizona: GED – $41 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$41 per subject.
- Arkansas: GED – $4 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$36 per subject.
- California: GED – $41 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$41 per subject.
- California HiSET – $100-$140 for all subjects.
- Colorado: GED – $43.50 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$43.50 per subject.
- Colorado HiSET – $141.25-$162.50 for all subjects.
- Connecticut: GED – Free ($13 registration fee for both online and on-site testing.
- Delaware: GED – $36 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$36 per subject.
- District of Columbia: GED – $3.75 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$36 per subject.
- Florida: GED – $32 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-N/A.
- Georgia: GED – $46 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$46 per subject.
- Georgia HiSET – $133.75 computer-based, $181.25 paper-based, all subjects.
- Hawaii: GED – $37.50 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-N/A.
- Idaho: GED – $36 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$36 per subject.
- Illinois: GED – $36 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$36 per subject. The state pays now for GED testing.
- Illinois HiSET – $93.75-$115 for all subjects – Check here -> to learn about reduced fees and free testing in Illinois.
- Indiana: GED – $30 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$36 per subject.
- Indiana HiSET – $119.75 computer-based- all subjects.
- Iowa: No GED Testing, only HiSET.
- Iowa HiSET – $53.75 computer-based, $75 paper-based for all subjects.
- Kansas: GED – $39 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$39 per subject.
- Kentucky: GED – $36 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$36 per subject.
- Louisiana: GED – $36 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$36 per subject.
- Louisiana HiSET – $83.75-$95 for all subjects.
- Maine: No GED Testing, only HiSET.
- Maine HiSET – free.
- Maryland: GED – $36 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$36 (1-st time testers pay $14.25 per subject online and on-site).
- Massachusetts: GED – $36 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-N/A. The state pays now for the exam.
- Massachusetts HiSET – $103.75-$125 for all subjects. The state pays now for the exam.
- Michigan: GED – $43.50 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$43.50 per subject.
- Michigan HiSET – $118.75-$133 for all subjects.
- Minnesota: GED – $36 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$36 per subject.
- Mississippi: GED – $36 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$36 per subject.
- Mississippi HiSET – $88.75-$110 for all subjects.
- Missouri: GED – $33 per subject at a test center. Online GED Test-$36 per subject.
- Missouri HiSET – $98.75-$120 for all subjects – online HiSET at Home exam $151.25.
- Montana: GED – $36 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$36 per subject.
- Montana HiSET – $78.75-$100 for all subejcts.
- Nebraska: GED – $36 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$36 per subject.
- Nevada: GED – $31 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$31 per subject.
- Nevada HiSET – $78.75-$100 for all subjects.
- New Hampshire: GED – $36 per subject at a test center. Online GED test – $36 per subject.
- New Hampshire HiSET – $125 for all subjects (compter-delivered), $103.75 (paper-based)
- New Jersey: GED – $36 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$36 per subject.
- New Jersey HiSET – $103.75.
- New Mexico: GED – $26 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$36 per subject.
- New Mexico: HiSET – $53.75-$75- all subjects.
- New York State: GED Testing.
- New York State GED – Free at a Test Center. Online GED Test-N/A.
- North Carolina: GED – $26 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$36 per subject.
- North Carolina: HiSET – 53.75-$75 for all subjects.
- North Dakota: GED – $36 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$36 per subject
- Ohio: GED – $36 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$36 per subject. First-time testers pay less.
- Ohio HiSET – $93.75-$115 – First-time testers pay less.
- Oklahoma: GED – $41 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$41 per subject.
- Oklahoma HiSET – $91.25-$112.50 for all subjects.
- Oregon: GED – $44 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$44 per subject.
- Pennsylvania: GED – $36 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$36 per subject.
- Pennsylvania HiSET – $93.75-$115 for all subjects.
- Rhode Island: GED – $36 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$36 per subject. A fee waiver is possible.
- South Carolina: GED – $37.50 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$43.50 per subject.
- South Dakota: GED – $50 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$50 per subject.
- Tennessee: GED – $36 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$36 per subject. A fee waiver is possible
- Tennessee HiSET – $78.75-$100 for all subjects.
- Texas: GED – $36.25 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$42.25 per subject.
- Utah: GED – $36 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$36 per subject.
- Vermont: GED – $36 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$36 per subject.
- Virginia: GED – $36 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$36 per subject.
- Washington: GED – $36 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$36 per subject.
- West Virginia: GED Testing – Free. Online GED Test-N/A.
- West Virginia HiSET – Free.
- Wisconsin: GED – $39.75 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-$39.75 per subject.
- Wyoming: GED – $26 per subject at a Test Center. Online GED Test-N/A.
- Wyoming HiSET – $53.75-$75 for all subjects.
Conclusion
The price of the GED test depends on the state. Some states mitigate the costs of the exam for their residents; others require students to pay the full price. It’s worth remembering that the GED test is one of two HSE (High School Equivalency) exams, and in some states, students can choose the HiSET exam.
Financial obstacles are a big factor when it comes to making decisions, and they undoubtedly alter the thinking of many people, especially those who do not have stable jobs. So, make sure you are well-informed, and use our GED cost calculator to find out how much you need to spend on taking the GED test. One thing is certain: taking the GED test and earning your HSE diploma is worth it.
Last Updated on November 18, 2024.