California GED Exam Overview

A California GED can serve as an alternative to a traditional high school diploma. Individuals can use their GED to apply for certain jobs, attend college, or other scenarios in which a high school diploma is required.

To get your GED in California, you will have to take the exam and pass all 4 sections. We will review the specifics of this exam in the state of California below.

The requirements for the exam are mostly the same across the different states, but some states have some slight requirement variations. Find out the California GED requirements below.

Summary: Find out how to get a GED in California. If you want to practice before taking your exam, use our GED practice exams to prepare.

California GED

You will need to pass each 4 different subject tests to get your GED. You can view those subject exams as well as the time limits for each one in the list below:

1. Mathematical Reasoning – 115 Minutes
2. Reasoning Through Language Arts – 150 Minutes
3. Social Studies – 70 Minutes
4. Science – 90 Minutes

Your main goal should be to score 145+ in each subject test. Each exam is scored on a scale from 100-200. If you achieve that, you will have earned your GED in California.

If you are interested in the different scoring levels, you can learn more in our GED scores guide.

Can You Take the GED Test Online in California?

GED online testing was introduced in California a couple of years ago. You may take the GED online in California. However, you will need to take the GED Ready test before you can take the actual exam online.

The GED Ready test is a “pre-test” that is used to help individuals identify if they are ready for the actual exam. You can learn more about this pre-test in the requirements section below.

Please note that if you are under the age of 18, you will need an approved waiver from the California Department of Education to take the exam online. You will also need a parent or guardian with you for the check-in portion of your online exam to provide consent.

How Much Does It Cost to take the California GED?

You will have to pay some fees to take the GED test in California. The fees differ depending on how you will be taking the exam. The fees are:

• In-Person GED California Fees - $35 per subject
• Online GED California Fees - $41 per subject

California GED Requirements

You will find that many states share the same general GED requirements. However, some states do have some slight variations in requirements. We will review the California specific GED requirements below.

Age

• You must be 18 years or older to take the GED in California.
• If you are under 18, you must meet one of the following requirements:
  • Within 60 days of your 18th birthday
  • Within 60 days of when you would have graduated high school
  • You are 17, have been out of school for 60 consecutive days, and can provide a letter of request from an employer, the military, or a postsecondary institution. 

Residency

• You must be a resident of California to take the GED
• You will need to provide proof of residency by showing an approved identification like a drivers license, passport, or various bills / documents that show your address.

Non-High School Status

• You must not currently be enrolled in high school.
• You must not have graduated from high school.

GED Ready Test

This is an exam offered by GED testing services. The exam serves to ensure individuals are ready for the actual exam. More information on GED Ready.

• If you are taking the exam online, you will need to take the GED Ready exam and score “green” on it.
• If you are taking the exam in-person, you will not have to take the GED Ready.

You can read more about the requirements in California.

How to Get a GED in California

1. Check eligibility – Review the California GED requirements above to ensure you meet all necessary requirements.
2. Practice for the exam – You can use our GED practice exams to prepare for the actual exam.
3. Register – You will need to register to take the exam. If you are taking the exam online, you will need to take the GED Ready exam as well.
4. Pass the exam – The final step is to take and pass the exam. Remember, you need 145+ on each section to get your GED in California.

GED Testing Centers in California

You can take the exam online or in-person. If you will be taking the exam in-person, you will need to attend an approved testing center. You can visit this link to find a testing center that is close to you.

California GED Practice Test

Since the GED in California includes the same subjects as the other states, you can use our free GED practice test to prepare.

You will find questions and answers that help you learn important concepts. Make sure to utilize the answer explanations so you can learn why an answer was correct or incorrect.

California GED FAQs