GED Testing - Information
Schedule | Information

NEW GED CANDIDATES: We will begin GED orientations and testing during the first week of October.

CONTINUING GED CANDIDATES: If you have already begun testing and need to finish some of your tests, please call 463-4214 and choose Option 2 to leave a message for Wendy. Speak slowly and clearly and leave your name and phone number. You will be called back to set up testing dates. Please do not call the Testing Office, as they are not doing the scheduling for GED tests during the summer.

What is the GED Test?

GED stands for General Educational Development.

It is a series of five tests that measure people's achievement in five major areas of high school education. When people pass all 5 GED tests and receive a GED certificate, it indicates they have knowledge and skills equivalent to high school graduates.

What forms are available?

We have English, Spanish, & large print versions of the GED available at Lane.

Please let us know in advance if you need the Spanish or Large print editions of the test. We can also obtain the GED in French with advance notice. Please call the Testing Office for more information.

If you have a physical or learning disability that requires special testing accommodations, you must request these in advance using special forms and provide documentation from your doctor. The approval process for special accommodations must go through the state GED office in Salem and can take several weeks, so contact the Testing Office well in advance of the date you want to test. Please call the Testing Office if you have any questions about special accommodations.

What can you use the GED for?

When you fill out applications for jobs or educational programs, you can list your GED as equivalent to a high school diploma. In fact, most employers and colleges, including Lane, accept GED certificates. Some colleges will require higher scores than the minimum passing scores. The Testing Office has more information.

What is on the GED test?

• Writing 50 questions plus essay, 2 hour time limit
• Mathematics* 50 questions, 1 hour, 30 minutes (2 parts)
• Social Studies 50 questions, 1 hour, 10 minutes
• Science 50 questions, 1 hour, 20 minutes
• Reading 40 questions, 1 hour, 5 minutes

*The Math test has 2 parts. On part one you may use a calculator that will be provided; on part two you must solve problems with only a pencil and scratch paper.

You may not use your own calculator. We will provide you with a GED approved calculator.

Who can take the GED test?

• You may take the GED test if you have not graduated from high school and are 18 years of age or older.
• If you are 16 or 17 years old, and a resident of Oregon , you will need to get an "Exemption from Compulsory Attendance" Letter OR be in an approved GED Options Program at a high school, community college, or other sponsoring educational agency.
  If you are in an Options Program or have been exempted from compulsory attendance, you must bring those documents to the Testing Office prior to taking the tests.
• Those age 15 or under are not eligible to take the GED in Oregon .

What does it cost?

The fee is $75 and covers all 5 sub tests and retests if necessary.

This fee is non-refundable once you have gone through the registration process.

Where do you pay the fee?

People who test at the Main Campus (map of Main Campus) must pay the test fee to the cashiers at Enrollment Services in the lobby of Building 1 (Student Services). See the Enrollment Services web page for hours and contact information. Pay the fee in advance of your registration/orientation session. You must provide a receipt at registration/orientation.

What do you need to bring?

• Bring your photo I. D. to each test.
• Bring a warm shirt or sweater because the testing rooms can be cool.
• Do not bring such personal possessions as purses, backpacks, cell phones, pagers, calculators, etc., because you cannot take them to your seat while you test. You must lock them in the lockers in the test room.
• The calculator for the math test is provided by the Testing Center .
  DO NOT bring your own calculator.

What is acceptable identification?

The GED Testing Service requires that you verify your identity with a government issued photo I. D. (such as a driver's license or a passport).

• I. D. cards from high schools are NOT acceptable.
• All I. D. cards must contain 5 elements: your name, photo, date of birth, current address and signature.
• If your ID does not contain your current address, bring in another document or piece of mail showing your current address.

The required Registration Session: what happens?

• You must attend a Registration & Orientation session before testing.
• The Registration & Orientation session lasts approximately one hour.
• Registration is held at the Testing Office on Thursdays at 1:30 p.m.
• To save time during orientation we prefer you do your demographic information online; however you will need an email address.  Please go to GED123.org on the Internet to get started.  Follow the instructions below:
• Click on begin to start because you are a new student.
• Click on Oregon in the map.
• Click on continue.
• Complete the information including email address and then click continue.
• Close this webpage and open your email account.  You will get an email from GED123.org. 
• Click on the highlighted information and you will complete your demographics from there.
• After you complete your demographics please click on print you must bring this page with you to the orientation. 
• Don’t forget to also bring your ID, receipt and your high school paperwork if under 18 years of age.
• Please check the GED schedule for dates and times of tests, appointments are required.
• Pay the $75 testing fee at the Enrollment Services before registration starts. Get a receipt.
• You need to bring: (1) your photo identification and (2) a receipt for the fee from the cashiers at Enrollment Services. (3) Proof of your current address which is either on your Photo ID or another document or piece of mail.
• Both the I. D. and the receipt are required before we can give you the GED test.
• The Testing staff will collect your receipt for the testing fee, verify your I. D. , confirm your age, and for 16 and 17 year-olds, collect your Exemption from Compulsory Attendance Letter or GED Options form and Option letter.
• Please be here 30 minutes before Registration & Orientation begins.
• Before registration begins you will fill out several forms.
• During the registration session you will complete a Demographic form, testing answer sheets and be given other information about the testing.

When and where can you take the test
All tests are given in Center Building-Room 12 (basement) on Tuesdays.
Check the schedule for test dates and times. The Thursday afternoon registration & orientation session is given in the Testing Office, 116, Building 1.

Map of Main Campus

Please arrive 15 minutes before the test to check in and show your I. D. You may not start late. Late arrivals will not be admitted to the test; you will have to wait for the next test session where space is available.

How do you make an appointment?

• You must register in advance for a testing session.
• Appointments MUST be made at least one day in advance.
• We cannot register people on the day of the test.
• Please call the Testing Office at 463-5324 to register for a test.

Can you test without an appointment?

• No, the Testing staff needs time to set up your testing material and give you the proper test book.
• To make an appointment please call the Testing Office at 463-5324, at least one day in advance before the test.

What if you have attended a Registration session at a GED Prep class

If you attended a registration session at a GED Prep class, you should bring your materials to the Testing Office at least a day in advance or have the Prep Center send your folder to us one week in advance. The Testing staff will check your I. D. , check the accuracy of the forms, and, if necessary, check your "Exemption from Compulsory Attendance" Letter or GED Options form.

Suppose you started at another GED Testing Center ?

• Please call us in advance if you have started the testing process at another test center, in Oregon or in another state.
• If you started in at another test center in Oregon , you may skip the Registration session and only need to pay Lane's local fees (currently $10 per test, maximum of $50).
• If you started in another state, you must attend a Registration session, pay the Oregon state fee ($25) plus Lane's local test fee (currently $10 per test to a maximum of $50).
  You must bring us an official score report of tests taken in another state.

Testing Sessions: What happens?

At each testing session a Testing staff member will check your ID, hand out materials, read directions, start all the test-takers at a common time.

During the test you may not take any breaks!

You may leave early if you finish before the time limit is up.
If you are staying for another test, you will need to return approximately 15 minutes before the start of your next exam.

How do you get score results?

After your last test of the day, Testing staff members will scan the answer sheets. You will be able to check your scores on the Internet with a personal access code that we will provide or through your email. Every effort will be made to score the tests on that day. However, there may be circumstances that slow us down, and we appreciate your understanding. The Writing essay is sent to the state GED office for scoring and it takes approximately two weeks to get your scores.

WE CANNOT GIVE SCORES OUT OVER THE PHONE.

What are passing scores?

The GED sub tests use a Standard Score that ranges from 200 to 800.
The passing score for each sub test is 410. In order to pass the GED and receive a certificate, your overall average for the 5 sub tests must be at least 450.

What if you fail one of the tests?

If you fail a test, you may retake it using a different form. We have 3 forms of each sub test available each year. Retests after a failed test are free.
You should study before you test again, perhaps at GED preparation classes offered by Lane.

What if I passed, but want a higher score

People who have earned their GED may retest to earn higher scores if required to meet an admission requirement for post secondary education or training or to meet employment conditions. A letter from the Institution or employer will be required and a fee will be charged to retest.

The 3-year limit

Oregon 's 3 year limit for completion is no longer in effect. A new series of GED tests was issued in 2002. Your scores on the 2002 edition GED tests are good until the next series of the test comes out in 2011. If you started before January 1, 2002 , and did not finish, you will have to pay the fee and take all 5 tests again. However, if you do not complete and pass all five tests within 3 years, you will have to pay the state GED fee of $25 again.

How can you prepare for the GED tests

You can attend GED preparation classes to help you get ready to take the GED tests. Find out where the nearest class is by calling the Lane Adult Basic & Secondary Education (ABSE) office on the Main Campus at (541) 463-5214 or their office at the Lane Downtown Center at (541) 463-5945.

The Official GED Practice Test

We suggest that you take the Official GED Practice Test before you take the GED. By taking it you can find out quickly which tests you are ready to take and which ones you should study before testing. You can take it at any GED Preparation class through ABSE. Please call ABSE for more information at (541) 463-5214. The practice tests are NOT available at the Testing Office. See our study strategy links page for links to practice tests.