Skip to main content
An Official Vermont Government Website

Students

Congratulations! You’ve decided to earn a high school diploma or credential. Trained professionals are ready to help you move toward your goal. Through flexible pathways, Vermonters may choose between the High School Completion Program (HSCP) or the General Education Development (GED).

Already have a high school diploma? If you need to gain essential skills for home, community, or workplace – we can help.

High School Completion Program

The High School Completion Program was created by the Vermont legislature in 2006 to provide learners with educational services of the scope and rigor needed for the attainment of a high school diploma.

Eligible Students

  • Are at least 16 years old
  • Have not earned a high school diploma, and
    • Possess high skills and motivation to graduate early OR
    • Deemed at risk of dropping out of high school OR
    • Are not enrolled in high school

How It Works

  • An adult education and literacy (AEL) provider meets with a potential student for intake and assessment in reading, writing, and math.
  • The AEL provider works with the student and a high school partner that is usually in the student’s town of residence.
  • The student’s transcripts are reviewed and used for planning.
  • The AEL provider and the high school partner work with the student to create a formal individualized plan that leads to graduation.
  • The student receives the services identified in the plan and studies/works to complete the plan requirements.
  • The school district awards a diploma upon successful completion of the plan.

General Educational Development

PLEASE NOTE: Only Vermont residents may choose Vermont as their jurisdiction through the GED Testing Service for online and in-person testing. Delaware is the nearest state to Vermont that will allow non-residents to take the GED tests under their jurisdiction, but there are other states also that do not have a residency requirement. For additional assistance, please contact the GED Testing Service at 1-877-392-6433 or go to www.ged.com to create your account and select your jurisdiction. 

The General Education Development (GED) tests include four exams that, when successfully passed, provide individuals who did not finish high school with an opportunity to earn a secondary school equivalency certificate. Employers, the military, colleges and technical educators and institutions recognize and accept the GED. The tests are designed to measure and represent the knowledge, skills and understanding that current high school seniors learn from their high school education. 

Eligible Students Are

  • At least 16 years old (those under 18 must have parental permission to take the test)
  • Not enrolled in high school
  • A Vermont resident

How It Works

  • Individuals may take the practice test at a local adult education and literacy center in Vermont or take the practice test online.
  • Results of the practice test are used to assess readiness for the actual test – testers may choose to study and/or work with an instructor.
  • The tests may be taken either in-person or online (remotely).
  • Each of four subject tests must be passed in order to obtain the GED. Testers choose when to take each test. The four subjects are:
    • Reasoning through Language Arts (150 minutes with a 10 minutes break)
    • Mathematical Reasoning (90 minutes)
    • Science (90 minutes)
    • Social Studies (90 minutes)

GED Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to take the GED tests?

Anyone 16 years or older that is not enrolled in a high school and is a Vermont resident may take the GED tests.

In Vermont, young adults 16 or 17 years of age must have parental permission to take the GED tests. The Permission Form for GED Testing must be signed by a parent/guardian. You will receive this same information when you register at ged.com. In order to submit the permission form, please email Miranda Scott and request to have an encrypted message set up for you, through which you can securely send the completed form.

What can I do to prepare to take the GED tests?

Students are encouraged to take GED Ready: The Official Practice Test, which is offered at adult education and literacy centers throughout Vermont. Students are encouraged to use the results to assess their readiness to test and/or need for further study and tutoring assistance. GED Ready is also available online.

Study and tutoring assistance is available without charge from adult education and literacy centers, as well as at some youth service programs, homeless shelters, community refugee programs and community correctional centers.

A variety of sample materials are available, including:

What is the cost of the GED test in Vermont?

The GED test is $36 for each subject area or $144 for the full battery.

How do I see the schedule and register for a test?

Students register online for the GED test on a computer, using the MyGED portal. Students are required to sign up for a MyGED account and then are able to access the dashboard full of information about studying, test day, scheduling, scoring, and college and career opportunities. When you are eligible to schedule you can log-in 24/7, click "start scheduling" on your dashboard, complete the demographics questions, schedule one test or multiple tests at a time, and pay for your appointment.

How do I take the GED tests from home?

When you register online through the MyGED portal (see: How do I see the schedule and register for a test?), you will be presented with the option to schedule to take your GED tests online. If you choose this option, you will be able to take your GED tests online from the comfort of your own home.

For more information, please see the GED Testing Service’s webpage “Take the Online GED Test”.

Do I have to take all GED subject tests on the same day?

There are four GED subject tests that comprise the full battery. You do not have to take all subject tests on the same day. You may take one at a time or take two or three during one test day. Test-takers can test on what they want when they want. The GED test will be about 7.5 hours long with the timing for each module as follows:

  • Reasoning through Language Arts (150 minutes - including a 10-minute break)
  • Mathematical Reasoning (115 minutes)
  • Science (90 minutes)
  • Social Studies (70 minutes)

What do I have to get on a GED subject test in order to pass?

You will need to reach a score of at least 145 on each subject and a total score of 580 or higher across four subject tests in order to receive the GED test certificate.

The GED® test score levels are:

(100-144) – Below Passing
(145-164) – Pass / High School Equivalency
(165-174) – GED® College Ready
(175-200) – GED® College Ready + Credit

The GED® with Honors score levels show you’re ready for college or a career training program and in some cases eligible to earn college credits.

How many times can I take the tests over?

You may re-test a subject area up to three times with no wait time between re-tests. After the third attempt each must be preceded by a 60-day waiting period. It is probably more productive to take GED Ready: The Official Practice Test. When you take a subject test over, you must pay an individual test fee each time.

What if it has been a while since I took some of the GED tests – are they still going to count?

If you did not earn your GED certificate by December 31, 2013, any subject tests you successfully passed before 2014 will no longer be valid and you will have to start testing again with the new series of GED Tests. Any tests you have passed beginning in 2014 will count toward earning the GED certificate.

What happens if I take a subject test over and score lower?

The higher score will count. Points will not be lost by retaking a subject test.

Are there special accommodations for people with special learning, physical or emotional needs to take the GED tests?

You may make a request for accommodations. You can find more information on the GED Testing Service's website. Accommodations may be made for in-person and online tests.

English is my second language. Does the GED come in other languages?

Yes. You may take the GED tests in Spanish, as well as English. This applies to both the in-person and online tests. In Vermont, you are allowed to combine different language versions of the GED test, i.e., you could take the Reasoning through Language Arts test in Spanish and take the Social Studies test in English. Practice tests are also available in Spanish. Please visit ged.com to make arrangements.

After I take the tests, how long does it take to get the results?

Test scores will be returned within three hours of completion of each test module.

Who accepts a GED credential?

Since 1942, when the GED was first developed, millions of people have taken and earned their GED credentials. The GED is recognized throughout the United States and Canada.

For assistance choosing your pathway or to get started, find a local Adult Education Location.

Questions?

Email us at GED Questions or call (802) 828-6596.