Testing Requirements

All candidates must be at least 16 years old to be admitted to GED^® testing.

• There are specific guidelines for 16, 17, and 18 year-olds.
• 16, 17, and 18 year-olds who are still enrolled in school may qualify for the GED^® Option Pathway Program.

All candidates must pass the Official GED^® Practice Test™ (OPT) with a total score of 2250 points of above AND a standard score of at least a 420 on all of the five sub-tests. All adult basic education (ABE) programs are authorized to give the OPT.

Residency Guidelines

• West Virginia does not have a residency requirement, but if you decide to take the GED^® test in West Virginia, your diploma will be issued as a State of West Virginia GED^® Diploma.
• If you wish to take the GED^® test in another state, you must contact the state of your choice for its guidelines on testing out-of-state residents.
• West Virginia honors GED^® test scores from other states.

Identification

• Current valid photo identification with current name and address, birth date, and preferably a Social Security number is required prior to all testing sessions.
• A current valid driver's license.
• A valid Department of Motor Vehicles picture identification.
• A valid passport.
• An institutional identification while a resident of the facility (i.e., Job Corps, correctional institutions, etc.).
• Option students may use their current school ID.
• The examiner has the authority to require additional identification for positive verification.

Note: Mountaineer Challenge Academy (MCA) cadets may use the MCA ID during the post-residential phase of the program by providing documentation of their status with MCA.