Idaho

Professional-Technical Education
GED

GED®

GED® and GED Testing Service® are trademarks of the American Council on Education® and may not be used or reproduced without express written permission.

This page contains information about taking the GED and obtaining your High School Equivalency in Idaho. If you need information about obtaining your GED transcript, please click on "Transcripts" in the menu on the left.

Finish your GED by December 2013 or start again! Click here to see the flyer

Once the new GED 21st Century Initiative Series is introduced in January 2014, only test scores from the new GED tests will count toward earning a GED. Time and space are limited. Contact the nearest Adult Basic Education program for more information and free GED preparation. Find both at the community college or University campus nearest you (click here for a listing).

Please Be Advised:

The only way to officially pass the GED is to take it at a State-approved testing center. The official GED test is not offered online and no such online tests are considered official scores. You can find out more about online testing at the GED Testing Services website.

Testing Fees

As a result of scoring-fee increases in 2011, Idaho testing centers will be raising the cost of GED testing to $100.00 for the full battery, or $20.00 per subject test. These fee changes will go into effect July 1, 2011.

To lessen any hardship caused by this increased cost, the testing centers will no longer charge additional fees such as first time testing fees or additional processing fees. However, we will continue to charge re-testing fees for both individual subject areas and for full battery re-testing. The re-testing fee will be $25.00 per test.

Completion Requirements

Please be aware that all 2002-series GED test scores will be voided unless the full battery of tests has been completed and passed prior to the release of the 2014-series GED test. Testers who have not completed and passed the entire battery at that time will be required to start over using the new series. Please contact our office or your local testing center for more information.

FAQs about the GED and HSE

• What is the GED?
• What is a High School Equivalency Certificate (HSE)?
• What is the difference between the HSE and the GED?
• Who is Eligible to take the GED?
• What to do if you are planning on taking the GED
• Obtaining GED Transcripts
• Understanding Your Test Scores

What is the GED? (top)

GED stands for "General Educational Development." The GED is a series of 5 subject tests that are standardized to meet the educational level of a graduating high school senior. In most cases, passing the GED will allow a student to seek employment or enroll in college courses at the same level as a high school graduate.

What is a High School Equivalency Certificate (HSE)? (top)

Anyone who has passed their GED and has also passed a high school equivalent American Government course may apply for the HSE. The HSE is a certificate of completion indicating a high school equivalent level of education in the State of Idaho. To apply for your HSE, you will need to fill out the HSE Application Form (see yellow box at top of this page) and mail it to our office with a fee of $10.00. Please do not send cash through the mail. We accept checks or money orders payable to "Divsion of Professional-Technical Education." Our mailing address is:

Attn: ABE/GED
Division of Professional-Technical Education
650 W. State St, Room 324
Boise, ID 83720-0095

What is the difference between the HSE and the GED? (top)

The HSE is different from a GED. The HSE is a certificate of completion which indicates a level of personal accomplishment. It does not include any scores or information about a student's abilities. It is specific to Idaho standards and is non-transferable to other states.

A GED is a transcript of test scores that gives an overview of a student's skills and abilities. The GED transcript is what you will need to enroll in colleges or technical schools, as well as what most employers require as proof of your educational level. Your GED scores and transcript are valid in all 50 states.

Who is Eligible to take the GED? (top)

You may take the GED Tests if:
• You are not enrolled in high school, and
• You have not graduated from high school, and
• You are at least age 16, and
• You meet state, provincial, or territorial requirements regarding age, residency, and the length of time since leaving school.
• If you are considering leaving high school, the GED Testing Service recommends that you first meet with your high school counselor to talk seriously about your decision and the level of academic skill needed to pass the GED Tests.

What to do if you are planning on taking the GED (top)

Preparing for the GED:

If you feel you need more preparation before taking the test, there are several options available. The State of Idaho Adult Basic Education Program offers free courses and can help with GED preparation. Please visit our ABE Student Info page for more information about enrolling in this program.

Taking the GED:

If you are prepared and ready to take the GED, you may contact the testing center in your area to schedule testing times. Please see the yellow box at top of this page for a list of testing centers in Idaho and contact information.

Obtaining GED Transcripts (top)

When you pass the GED you will receive one free copy of your transcript. All other copies must be requested through our office. For information about obtaining a transcript of your GED scores, please visit the GED Transcripts Page.

Understanding Your Test Scores (top)

For information about scoring, retesting, or how long scores remain valid, you should contact the testing site where you took your GED.