The four score levels
GED Testing Service groups scaled scores into performance levels. Each subject is scored on its own, and you need to pass all four to earn the credential.
- Below 145: not yet passing. You can take the subject again; check ged.com for the retake rules where you test.
- 145 to 164: GED passing score. This counts toward the high school equivalency credential.
- 165 to 174: GED College Ready. Some colleges use this to place students directly into credit-bearing courses.
- 175 to 200: GED College Ready plus Credit. Some colleges award college credit at this level.
Why the score is scaled
Different versions of the test have slightly different questions, and some versions may be a little harder than others. Scaling converts your raw results to a common 100 to 200 scale so that a 145 means the same level of performance no matter which version you took.
That also means there is no fixed number of questions you must answer correctly to pass. Some questions are worth more than one point, and the conversion from raw points to a scaled score is set by GED Testing Service.
A simple comparison shows why this is fair. Imagine two friends take different versions of the Science test. One version happens to include a few more questions on a tough experiment, so the same skill level earns fewer raw points on it. If both tests were scored by plain percentage, the friend with the harder version would look weaker even with identical skills. Scaling adjusts for that difference, so equal skill earns an equal score.
The practical lesson is to stop trying to calculate how many questions you can afford to miss. Nobody can tell you that number for a version you have not seen. What you can control is how many skills you have solid, and every skill you add raises your score on any version.
Reading your results subject by subject
Because each subject is scored separately, think of the GED as four goals, not one. A high score in one subject does not make up for a low score in another, and you cannot average them. A 170 in Social Studies and a 140 in Math means you have passed Social Studies, not that you have passed both with an average of 155.
That has a direct effect on how you study. Extra hours in a subject where you are already well above 145 add little to your credential. The same hours in a subject just below 145 can be the difference between passing and not passing. When you plan your week, put most of your time where the next few points matter most.
Official score reports may include more detail than a single number. To see what your report includes and how to access it, go to ged.com.
How to read a practice score on this site
Our practice tests convert your percentage correct into a number on the same 100 to 200 range so you can think in the same terms as the real test. That conversion is a simple straight-line estimate, not the official scaling, so treat it as a guide to your progress rather than a prediction of your exact score.
The most useful signal is consistency. If you score in the passing range on two different practice tests for a subject, and again after a few days, that is stronger evidence than a single high result. If your score jumps around, look at which topics you are missing and work through those study guides first.
Also look past the single number. The results screen shows how you did on each topic, and that breakdown tells you what to do next. A score of 142 built from one very weak topic is easier to fix than a 142 spread evenly across every topic, because a single topic can be studied in a few focused sessions.
Worked example
A learner’s Math practice scores over three weeks are 136, 149, and 143. The topic breakdown on the last test shows strong results in number operations and geometry but many misses in algebra. Is the learner ready to schedule Math?
- Look at the pattern, not the best score: the results move above and below 145, so the passing range has not been reached consistently.
- Find the cause: the misses cluster in one topic, algebra, which is a large share of the math test.
- Make a plan: work through the algebra study guide and its drill before taking another full practice test.
- Set a clear signal: schedule Math after two practice tests in a row land comfortably above 145, not after one good day.
Setting a target and what College Ready can mean
Aim for practice scores a few points above 145 rather than right at it. Test day brings nerves, an unfamiliar room, and questions you have not seen, and a small cushion absorbs those. If your practice scores sit at 146 or 147, a little more work on your weakest topic is a better bet than scheduling right away.
If you plan to go to community college, aiming above 145 can pay off. Some colleges accept College Ready scores in place of placement tests, which can mean skipping a noncredit remedial course. Policies differ by school, so ask the admissions or advising office at the college you plan to attend how they use GED scores.
Your goal can also differ by subject. Someone planning to study nursing might aim for College Ready in Math and Science while treating 145 as the goal in Social Studies. Decide what each score needs to do for you, then plan your study time to match.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the passing score on the GED?
- 145 on each of the four subject tests.
- Can I average my scores across subjects?
- No. Each subject must be passed on its own with at least 145.
- Is a practice score here the same as an official score?
- No. It is an estimate on the same scale to help you track progress. Only the official test produces an official score.
- How many questions do I need to get right to pass?
- There is no fixed number. Some questions are worth more than one point, and the scaling varies by test version, so focus on strengthening skills rather than counting allowed misses.