GED passing score: 145 in every subject, and what the levels mean
The GED passing score is 145 in each of the four subjects, on a scale of 100 to 200. Scores are not averaged: a 170 in Language Arts cannot make up for a 140 in Math. 165 to 174 is GED College Ready, and 175 or more is College Ready + Credit, which some colleges turn into up to 10 credit hours.
- 145
- to pass each subject
- 100–200
- the score range
- 165
- GED College Ready
- 175
- College Ready + Credit
Last checked · Facts from GED Testing Service's own pages
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All four GED subjects, timed, scored subject by subject.
By the LifeScore Editorial Team · Updated · How we check facts · How this is scored
What are the GED score levels?
Below 145 is not yet passing; 145 to 164 is a pass; 165 to 174 is GED College Ready; 175 to 200 is GED College Ready + Credit.
| Below 145 | Not yet passing in that subject: retake itPublished by the ownerGED Testing Service, "How is the GED test scored?" |
|---|---|
| 145 to 164 | GED Passing Score: earns the subject toward your credentialPublished by the ownerGED Testing Service, "How is the GED test scored?" |
| 165 to 174 | GED College Ready: may let you skip placement testing or remedial courses at some collegesPublished by the ownerGED Testing Service, "Score scale" |
| 175 to 200 | GED College Ready + Credit: some colleges award up to 10 credit hoursPublished by the ownerGED Testing Service, "Score scale" |
Do I need 145 in every GED subject?
Yes. The credential needs a passing score in all four subjects, and there is no total or average that can carry a weak subject.
| Scores | Result |
|---|---|
| Math 151, RLA 162, Science 158, Social Studies 149 | Passes: every subject is 145 or more |
| Math 141, RLA 178, Science 170, Social Studies 166 | Not yet: Math must be retaken, the other three are kept |
| Math 165, RLA 165, Science 145, Social Studies 152 | Passes, with College Ready in Math and RLA |
This is the single most important thing to understand about the GED. People sometimes study evenly across the four subjects and end up with three comfortable passes and one score just short. It is better to measure each subject separately, bank the ones that are ready, and give the weakest one most of your time.
Passed subjects are kept, so you only ever retake the subject you missed.
How many questions do I need right to get 145?
GED Testing Service does not publish the conversion, and some questions are worth two or more points, so there is no exact number. Prep providers commonly estimate around 60 to 65% of the points, which is an estimate, not an official figure.
For practice, we use 65% right in a subject as the point to check that subject with GED Ready and think about booking, and 80% as a comfortable margin. Those are LifeScore's bands for our own practice tests, not GED scores.
Our free GED-style practice test reports your percent right in each subject against those bands.
What do the GED Ready bands mean?
GED Ready, the official practice test, predicts a score band for each subject: Not Likely to Pass, Too Close to Call or Likely to Pass. Online testing usually needs Likely to Pass first.
| Not Likely to Pass (100 to 133) | More study before booking that subjectPublished by the ownerGED Testing Service, "GED Ready, the official practice test" |
|---|---|
| Too Close to Call (134 to 144) | Close: a little more work on the skills the report listsPublished by the ownerGED Testing Service, "GED Ready, the official practice test" |
| Likely to Pass (145 to 200) | Ready to book that subjectPublished by the ownerGED Testing Service, "GED Ready, the official practice test" |
GED Ready is about half the length of a real subject and is sold per subject. Our suggestion: use unlimited practice to bring a subject up, then use GED Ready once as the final check before you book.
What is a GED College Ready score?
165 to 174 in a subject is GED College Ready, which some colleges accept in place of a placement test. 175 or more is College Ready + Credit, which some colleges recognise with up to 10 credit hours.
Not every college uses these levels, so check with the admissions or placement office of the college you plan to attend. Raising a subject from 160 to 165 can save you a semester of non-credit remedial classes.
For how to get there, see how to pass the GED and the GED test guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the passing score for the GED?
Can a high score in one subject make up for a low one?
How many questions do I need right to pass the GED?
What is a good GED score?
What does "Too Close to Call" on GED Ready mean?
If I fail one GED subject, do I retake all four?
Know which subject is ready before you pay for it
8 full tests scored subject by subject and 16 subject drills, in one payment with no subscription.
The GED Pass Pack gives you 8 full mocks on the real clock, 16 drills of 12 questions for the sections that cost you points, and a predictor that turns your mocks into the odds of reaching your target. One payment, no subscription, and your free score stays free.
Prep courses for these tests usually cost $19 to $129. The GED Pass Pack is US$39 (£29), once.
- 8
- timed mocks
- 16
- topic drills
- 1
- score predictor