GED in Washington DC

Earning a GED in Washington DC provides a valuable pathway to a high school equivalency diploma, leading to better employment prospects, higher earnings, and access to higher education for many who did not complete traditional high school.

By obtaining a high school diploma, you gain the knowledge and skills necessary to enter the workforce with enhanced earning potential.

GED Requirements in Washington DC

To be eligible to take the GED® test in Washington DC, you must meet the following requirements:

General Requirements

• Be a resident of Washington DC.
• To take the test, you must be at least 16 years old, though test-takers aged 16 or 17 must meet additional requirements.
• Not be enrolled in school.
• Have not graduated from high school.
• Take the GED Ready Practice tests.

DC GED Residency Requirements

• You must be a resident of the state of Washington DC. 

To take the GED test in Washington DC, you must meet residency criteria by being a resident, enrolled in the Job Corps, or mandated by court order. This requirement is specified in the District of Columbia Code, Section 8402.1. 

Accepted forms of proof of residency include:

1. Utility Bill: A utility bill with proof of payment of a bill from a period within two months. Only gas, electric, and water bills are acceptable.
2. Lease or Rental Agreement: An unexpired lease or rental agreement with proof of payment of rent, such as a receipt of payment, money order, or copy of cashed check. The lease must contain the start date, monthly rent amount, name of landlord, and be signed by the enrolling person and landlord.
3. District of Columbia Motor Vehicle Registration: An unexpired District of Columbia motor vehicle registration.
4. Government Assistance Documentation: Unexpired official documentation of financial assistance from the Government of the District of Columbia, issued to within the past 12 months, including but not limited to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, the State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), Supplemental Security Income, housing assistance, or other programs.
5. Certified Copy of Form D40: A certified copy of Form D40, certified by the District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR), as evidence of payment of District of Columbia taxes for the current or most recent tax year.
6. Military Housing Orders or Statement: Military housing orders or a statement on military letterhead, including but not limited to Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) statement or other official communication on military letterhead.
7. Embassy Letter: An embassy letter issued within the past 12 months.
8. Evidence of Homelessness: Evidence that the candidate is homeless.
9. Proof of Child as Ward of the District of Columbia: Proof that a child is a ward of the District of Columbia, in the form of a court order or official documentation from District of Columbia Child and Family Services Agency

Candidates must present a single, valid government-issued identification that is not expired. This ID must feature the candidate’s name, date of birth, signature, and photograph.

DC GED Age Requirements

In Washington DC, the rules for taking the GED test vary based on age and circumstances. 

Minimum Age

You must be at least 18 years old to take the GED test.

Underage Testers (16 and 17)

To take the GED test in Washington D.C. if you are 16 or 17 years old, you must meet the following requirements:

1. Age Waiver

Application: Apply for an age waiver.

Eligibility: You must meet one of the following conditions to be eligible for an age waiver:

• Parental Permission: Provide a notarized letter of permission from a parent or guardian stating: You have not been enrolled in a traditional high school program for at least 6 months.
• Alternative Education: You are enrolled in a DC Public Schools (DCPS) or DC Public Charter School-based educational program that provides academic preparation toward GED completion.
• Juvenile Justice: You are incarcerated or in an out-of-home secure placement within the juvenile justice system and could not reasonably complete a traditional high school diploma program based on your current academic credits and time remaining for compulsory education.
• Federal Program: You are enrolled in a program established by federal law to provide GED test preparation to youth under the age of 18.

2. Documentation

• Proof of Eligibility: Provide documentation supporting your eligibility for the age waiver.
• Test Center: The GED test is administered at the Marion S. Barry, Jr. Building, 441 Fourth St. NW, Suite 370 North, Washington, DC 20001. The test center is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment only.
• Parental Consent for Underage Online Testers: A  parent or guardian must attend the pre-test check-in to provide consent and authorize the recording of the test session. Failure to have a parent or guardian present will result in the cancellation of the exam session.

Cost of Taking the Ged Test in Washington DC

The cost of taking the GED test in Washington DC varies depending on whether the test is taken in person or online.

What Is the Fee for Taking the Ged Test Online in Washington DC?

The online GED test is priced at $36 per subject test, totaling $144 for the entire exam.

To be eligible for online GED testing, you must achieve passing scores on the GED Ready official practice test. Each GED Ready test can be purchased for $6.99 on GED.com. Since there are four GED subject tests, you will need to purchase four GED Ready tests, costing an additional $28. Therefore, the total cost for online GED testing in Washington amounts to $172.

What Is the Fee for Taking the Ged Test in Person at a Testing Center?

In Washington, DC, there is a subsidy of $36 for the first attempt of each module at a test center. This subsidy can be applied up to four times using the promo code.

GED Discount Code Washington DC

The promo code for GED test in DC is DCSAVE36. This discount code allows test takers in Washington, D.C., to reduce the cost of their first attempt at each GED test module to just $3.75.

This discount applies to on-site testing and can be used up to four times. However, for online GED testing, the total cost remains $144, with no additional discounts available for retakes.

To qualify for this reduced fee, you must apply the discount code DCSAVE36 during checkout.

Maryland also provides discounted GED testing, similar to several other states such as:

• Ohio (For first time students)
• Arkansas (Applies for those taking the GED at a testing centre)
• Minnesota

Washington, DC GED Retesting Policies

DC Waiting Period

In Washington DC, the retake policy for the GED test is as follows:

• First Two Retakes: There is a 30-day waiting period for the first two retakes of any subject.
• Third and Subsequent Retakes: After taking a test subject three times, you must wait 60 calendar days before each retake.
• Frequency of Retakes: There is no limit to how many times you can test in a year.

Additionally, to retake a subject, you must also meet the following requirements:

• GED Ready Score: You must take the GED Ready practice test and score “likely to pass” or “too close to call” in the subject you are seeking to retake.

DC Retake Fee

On-Site Testing

For every GED® test subject you purchase but do not pass, you will receive one discounted retake. You have up to 365 days after your initial full-price test to use this retake opportunity. 

This offer, where one retake is discounted for every full-price test purchased, continues until you successfully pass the test. GED Testing Service waives its $26 testing fee.

Please note: The District of Columbia does not charge an additional fee.

Online Proctored Exam

• Cost: The Online Proctored Exam costs $36 for a retake in the District of Columbia.
• Discounted Retakes: Discounted retakes are not offered on the Online Proctored Exam.

GED Testing Centers Near Me in Washington DC?

In Washington DC, you can take the GED test in person at one of the official test centers or online. 

District of Columbia GED

To get a GED in Washington DC, you need to take and pass the four tests of the computer-based GED high school equivalency exam. 

The  test covers four subject areas: reasoning through language arts, mathematical reasoning, science, and social studies. Each section has specific content and time limits:

• Reasoning Through Language Arts: 150 minutes, 75% non-fiction and 25% fiction.
• Mathematical Reasoning: 115 minutes, with 55% algebraic problems.
• Science: 90 minutes, covering life sciences (40%), earth/space sciences (20%), and physical sciences (40%).
• Social Studies: 70 minutes, focusing on U.S. history (20%), geography and the world (15%), civics and government (50%), and economics (15%)

This  diploma is recognized by employers and educational institutions, providing recipients with opportunities for advancement in both their careers and academic pursuits.

The GED program in Washington DC  has been instrumental in enabling thousands of individuals to achieve their educational goals, thus improving their quality of life and contributing to the state’s workforce.

How to Create a GED Account in Washington DC

Creating Your Online GED.com Account

The first step to earning your GED in Washington DC is to create a free account on GED.com. This will give you access to valuable study materials, practice tests, and help you find classes and testing centers in your area. 

Signing up for a GED.com account is quick and easy. You’ll need to provide basic information like your name, date of birth, and contact details. You’ll also need to set an email address and password for your account. 

Once your account is set up, you’ll have immediate access to a wealth of GED preparation resources. This includes practice tests, study guides, and the ability to easily find in-person GED classes or online classes in Washington DC. 

Your GED.com account is the key to navigating the GED process in Washington DC. It will be your portal for scheduling tests, accessing study materials, and tracking your progress toward earning your GED credential. 

GED Testing Information in Washington DC

Can I Take All Ged® Test Subjects in a Single Session, or Do I Need to Schedule Separate Appointments?

For those testing in-person at a Testing Center:

Yes, in Washington DC, you have the option to complete all test subjects on the same day, provided you can find a test center with hours that accommodate it.

For those opting for the Online Exam:

No, you need to schedule your test appointments separately, one at a time. Once you finish one online exam, you can then schedule another, subject to appointment availability.

Can I take the GED® Test in languages other than English? Is it permissible to combine languages for credentialing purposes?

Candidates pursuing their GED credential in Washington DC  have the choice to take the test in either English or Spanish. 

This bilingual flexibility enables test-takers to select the language that aligns with their comfort and proficiency level, including the option to combine both languages to achieve their credential.

Washington DC GED Testing Accommodations

The GED tests in Washington, DC provide accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request accommodations, candidates must submit the appropriate form based on their disability:

• For physical or chronic health disabilities (e.g. blindness, hearing impairment, mobility issues), the “Request for Testing Accommodations—Physical/Chronic Health Disability” form is required.
• For learning or cognitive disabilities (e.g. dyslexia, ADHD), the “Request for Testing Accommodations—Learning and Other Cognitive Disabilities” form is needed.
• For emotional or mental health disorders (e.g. bipolar disorder, schizophrenia), the “Request for Testing Accommodations—Emotional/Mental health” form should be submitted.
• For attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, the “Request for Testing Accommodations—Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder” form is the correct one to use.

The completed form must be returned to the GED testing center. Each request is considered individually, and if accommodations are approved, they are provided at no extra charge. Possible accommodations include audio tests, Braille or large-print tests, use of assistive technologies, extended testing time, and use of a scribe.

To register for the GED test in Washington, DC, candidates must create an account on GED.com. The process for requesting accommodations is outlined on the GED.com website. 

Candidates who are unhappy with the accommodations decision can appeal the outcome through the GED.com Accommodations System.

Keep reading: Pay for GED without Taking the Test

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