GED® Passing Score Explained: What 145, 165 and 175 Really Mean
Learn the GED® passing score, how the 100 to 200 scale works, and what College Ready and College Ready + Credit mean for your study plan.
Most people preparing for the GED® ask the same question early on: what score do I need to pass? The short answer is 145 on each subject. The fuller answer explains why some students aim higher, and it changes how you should plan your study time.
How the GED® Score Scale Works
Each of the four GED® subject tests is scored on a scale from 100 to 200. The four subjects are Reasoning Through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Science, and Social Studies.
The minimum score to pass, also called the high school equivalency level, is 145 on each of the four tests. You do not add the four scores together and compare the total to a target. Each subject stands on its own.
One point matters here. A score of 145 out of 200 is not 72.5 percent. GED® scores are scaled, which means they are converted from your raw performance on the test. Do not judge your readiness by treating 145 as a percentage grade.
The Three GED® Score Levels
| Level | Score on each subject | What it signals |
|---|---|---|
| Pass (high school equivalency) | 145 to 164 | You meet the minimum for a high school equivalency credential |
| GED® College Ready | 165 to 174 | Your performance indicates readiness for college-level coursework |
| GED® College Ready + Credit | 175 to 200 | You may qualify for college credit, depending on the institution |
The College Ready levels apply to test takers in the United States. Whether a college accepts a score for credit is the college's decision, so confirm this directly with the admissions office of any school you are considering.
Why the Passing Score Is 145 and Not 150
When the current GED® series launched in 2014, the passing score was 150. In 2016 the GED® Testing Service lowered the standard pass mark to 145 and set the College Ready range at 165 to 174. If you find older study guides or forum posts quoting 150, they are using the earlier threshold.
Should You Aim for 145 or Higher?
It depends on your goal.
If you need the credential for a job application or a general requirement, 145 in every subject is the target. In that case, protect your weakest subject first, because a single subject below 145 means you have not passed that test yet.
If you plan to enroll in college, aim for 165 or above. A College Ready score shows admissions staff and placement offices that you are prepared for college work, and it can help you avoid remedial courses at some institutions. Check the placement policy of your target school, since policies differ. If you are still deciding between exams, our guide on GED® vs. SAT®: which test should you take can help.
What Each Subject Test Looks Like
Knowing the format helps you practice the right way. According to GED®.com, the tests run roughly as follows:
- Reasoning Through Language Arts: about 150 minutes, including a 45-minute extended response essay. It covers reading for meaning, identifying and creating arguments, and grammar and language.
- Mathematical Reasoning: about 115 minutes, covering basic math, geometry, basic algebra, and graphs and functions. An onscreen calculator is available on part 2, and a formula sheet is provided.
- Social Studies: about 70 minutes, covering reading for meaning, analyzing historical events and arguments, and using numbers and graphs.
- Science: about 90 minutes, covering reading for meaning, designing and interpreting experiments, and using numbers and graphics.
Timing details can change, so check GED®.com before your test date.
A Practical Plan to Reach Your Target Score
- Take a diagnostic first. A short diagnostic quiz shows which topics cost you the most points. Studying everything equally wastes time.
- Fix the weakest subject first. Because you need 145 in every subject, your lowest area decides how soon you can finish.
- Learn the concept, then test it. Watch a lesson, work through an example, then answer practice questions on that same topic before moving on.
- Read every explanation. Review the reasoning for questions you got right as well as wrong. A lucky guess does not count as mastery.
- Practice the written response. The Language Arts essay rewards a clear claim, evidence from the text, and organized paragraphs. See our guide on how to write the GED® RLA extended response.
- Manage exam-day nerves. Steady preparation helps, and so does a calm routine. Our post on beating test anxiety covers practical steps.
- Track accuracy over time. Watch whether your accuracy rises across weeks, not just in a single session.
You can do all of this on Bridge to Exam at no cost. The platform includes video lessons, worked examples, over 17,000 practice questions with full explanations, a progress dashboard, and tools such as a math calculator, periodic table, and writing toolkit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum passing score on the GED®?
The minimum is 145 on each of the four subject tests, on a scale of 100 to 200.
Do I need 145 overall or on every test?
On every test. Each subject is judged separately.
What is a good GED® score?
For college plans, a score of 165 or higher is considered College Ready. A score of 175 or higher is College Ready + Credit.
Do all states use the same passing score?
GED®.com sets 145 as the standard pass level. Local requirements and policies can vary, so confirm with your state or testing jurisdiction before you register.
Can I retake a subject I did not pass?
Retake rules depend on where you test. Check the policy for your state on GED®.com.
Are older passing score guides wrong?
Guides that say 150 refer to the 2014 threshold, which was lowered to 145 in 2016.
Start Studying Today
Pick your weakest subject, take the diagnostic, and work through a few lessons this week. Steady practice beats long, irregular study sessions, and every question you review moves you closer to 145 or higher.
Sources: GED® Testing Service score scale and test subjects pages at GED®.com. GED® is a registered trademark of the American Council on Education and is used here for identification only.