General Educational Development

The General Educational Development (GED) tests are a group of four academic subject tests in the United States and its territories certifying academic knowledge equivalent to a high school diploma. This certification is an alternative to the U.S. high school diploma, as is HiSET. Passing the GED test gives those who do not complete high school, or who do not meet requirements for high school diploma, the opportunity to earn a Certificate of High School Equivalency or similarly titled credential. GED Testing Service is a joint venture of the American Council on Education, which started the GED program in 1942.

The American Council on Education, in Washington, D.C. (U.S.), which owns the GED trademark, coined the initialism to identify "tests of general equivalency development" that measure proficiency in science, mathematics, social studies, reading, and writing. The GED Testing Service website as of 2023^[update] does not refer to the test as anything but "GED".^[1] It is called the GED in the majority of the United States,^[2][3] and internationally. In 2014, some states in the United States switched from GED to the HiSET and TASC (discontinued December 31, 2021). Iowa and Maine do not accept the GED.^[4][5][6]

The GED Testing Service is a joint venture of the American Council on Education. Pearson is the sole developer for the GED test. The test is taken in person. States and jurisdictions award a high school equivalency credential (also called a high school equivalency development or general equivalency diploma) to persons who meet the passing score requirements.^{[7][better source needed]}

In addition to English, the GED tests are available in Spanish in several states (e.g. California, Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Florida, Nevada, Texas).^{[8][better source needed]} Tests and test preparation are also offered to people who are incarcerated or who live on military bases. People who live outside the United States and U.S. territories may be eligible to take the GED tests through Pearson VUE testing centers.^{[9][better source needed]} Utah's Adult High School Completion program is an alternative for people who prefer to earn a diploma.^{[citation needed]}