Upon completing the GED, test-takers receive a transcript that not only confirms their high school equivalency but also provides valuable insight into their college readiness. This transcript features one of three possible designations: Passing Score, College Ready, or College Ready + Credit, each reflecting a different level of achievement and potential.
The standard passing score for all GED exams is 145, with scores ranging from 145 to 164 indicating basic high school equivalency. However, those who score between 165 and 174 earn a GED College Ready designation.
This achievement is particularly noteworthy as it signifies that the person has demonstrated skills consistent with college-level readiness. Even more impressive are scores of 175 to 200, which earn the GED College Ready + Credit designation.
The GED College Ready designation, in particular, comes with numerous benefits that can significantly impact a student’s academic journey.
Importance of Achieving GED College Ready Scores
Demonstration of college readiness: These scores indicate that a student has demonstrated skills consistent with college and career readiness standards. This shows potential colleges that the student is prepared for college-level coursework.
Exemption from remedial courses: Students with College Ready scores may be eligible to waive developmental education requirements and courses at participating institutions. This can save both time and money by allowing students to enroll directly in credit-bearing courses.
Placement test exemptions: Many colleges may exempt students with College Ready scores from taking placement tests. This simplifies the enrollment process and reduces stress for incoming students.
Potential college credits: Students who achieve College Ready + Credit scores (175-200) may be eligible for up to 10 semester-hours of college credit, depending on the policies of the institution they enroll in.
Faster track to degree completion: By avoiding remedial classes and potentially earning college credits, students with high GED scores can potentially complete their degree programs more quickly.
Cost savings: Skipping remedial courses and earning college credits through GED scores can lead to significant cost savings on tuition and materials.
Increased confidence: Achieving these higher scores can boost a student’s confidence in their academic abilities as they transition to college-level work.
Competitive advantage: In the college admissions process, College Ready scores may give students an edge over those with standard passing scores.
Improved college persistence: Statistics show that 90% of GED graduates with higher scores persist by re-enrolling from one semester to the next, compared to only 29% before 2014.
Enhanced career prospects: The skills demonstrated by these scores are not only valuable for college but also for career readiness, potentially opening up more job opportunities.
Do You Need a College Ready Score for the GED?
You don’t need a College Ready score to pass the GED or apply to most colleges. The minimum passing score for the GED is 145 out of 200 on each subject test. However, achieving a College Ready score (165-174) or College Ready + Credit score (175-200) can offer significant advantages.
These higher scores demonstrate advanced academic skills and may exempt you from placement tests or remedial courses at many colleges. Some institutions even offer college credits for College Ready + Credit scores.
While these benefits are valuable, policies vary among colleges. The standard passing score of 145 is sufficient to earn your high school equivalency diploma and apply to most higher education institutions.
Ultimately, aiming for a College Ready score can provide a smoother transition to college and potential time and cost savings, but it’s not a requirement for obtaining your GED or pursuing further education.
Read More: How to Boost Your GED Score
How To Check Your College Ready Scores
To check your GED College Ready scores, you will need to follow these steps:
- Access your GED account: Log in to your official GED account at GED.com.
- Navigate to the scores section: Once logged in, look for a section related to “Scores” or “Test Results”.
- View scores for each individual test: Your scores for each of the four GED subject tests (Math, Science, Social Studies, and Reasoning Through Language Arts) will be displayed.
- Interpret the scores: Scores between 145-164 indicate a passing score
- Check for College Ready designation: If you’ve scored 165 or above on any subject, you’ll see a “College Ready” or “College Ready + Credit” designation next to that score.
- Review detailed score report: Most GED accounts provide access to a detailed score report, which may offer more insights into your performance.
- Official transcripts: If you need official documentation of your College Ready scores for a college application, you can request official transcripts through your GED account.
- Verify with target institutions: Remember that while the GED program designates these score levels, individual colleges may have their own policies regarding how they use these scores. It’s always best to check with your target institutions about their specific requirements and benefits for GED College Ready scores.
- Consider retesting: If you didn’t achieve College Ready scores but want to, you can typically retake individual subject tests to improve your scores.
Find out More: What if I pass a subject in GED and want to retest for a higher score?
NOTE: The GED testing service occasionally updates their scoring system or college readiness standards. Keep an eye on official GED communications for any changes that might affect your scores or their interpretation.
Remember, your GED scores are private, and you control who sees them. Colleges and employers can’t access your scores unless you explicitly grant them permission through the official GED transcript request process.
Does College Readiness Matter When Sending Scores
Yes, college readiness scores matter when sending your GED scores to colleges. Achieving a College Ready score (165-174) or College Ready + Credit score (175-200) on the GED can offer significant advantages.
These scores demonstrate that you possess the skills necessary for college-level coursework, which can enhance your college application. Many colleges may waive placement tests or remedial courses for students with these scores, allowing you to start directly in credit-bearing classes.
Additionally, some institutions offer college credits for College Ready + Credit scores. While the minimum passing score of 145 is sufficient to earn your high school equivalency diploma, higher scores can provide a smoother transition to college and potential time and cost savings.
Therefore, including your College Ready scores when sending your GED results can positively impact your college admissions process.
Check out: Colleges that Accept the GED Credential
Do Colleges Look at i-Ready Scores
Colleges don’t look at i-Ready scores during the admissions process. i-Ready is an assessment and instruction program primarily used in K-12 education to measure and improve students’ reading and math skills.
It’s not a standardized test used for college admissions like the SAT, ACT, or GED. Instead, colleges focus on standardized test scores, high school transcripts, GPA, extracurricular activities, and application essays when evaluating candidates.
However, i-Ready scores can be valuable for personal academic growth and preparation for college-level work. They help identify areas where students may need additional support or enrichment, potentially improving overall academic performance.
While i-Ready scores aren’t directly considered in college admissions, the skills and knowledge gained through the program can contribute to better performance in high school, which in turn can positively impact college applications.
Learn About: How to Prepare for the Ged| K-12 Schools
How to Prepare for the GED and Attain a GED College Ready Score
Preparing for the GED exams involves employing effective strategies such as utilizing comprehensive study techniques and leveraging efficient study resources like GED study guides. Additionally, you can gauge your readiness by taking the GED practice tests. This approach ensures thorough comprehension of the exam content.
Additionally, online access to the GED test prep course is available, along with a comprehensive GED Study Guide.
Strategies for Effectively using Study Materials.
- Comprehensive Study: Go beyond basic test preparation and explore further into each subject area. Understand not just the “what” but also the “why” behind concepts.
- Focus on Weak Areas: Use practice tests to identify areas where you struggle, then concentrate your study efforts on improving those skills.
- Develop Test-Taking Strategies: Familiarize yourself with the test format, time management techniques, and strategies for tackling different question types.
How to Utilize College Ready Scores
Once you’ve reviewed your results and confirmed you’ve achieved a College Ready score or higher, you can maximize the usefulness of your scores by:
Researching Institutions:
Students should look for colleges and universities that are part of the ACE Credit College and University Network. These institutions are more likely to recognize and accept the GED College Ready designations. The network consists of more than 2,000 institutions that consider ACE CREDIT recommendations for transfer to degree programs.
Contact Admissions Offices:
It’s crucial to reach out to the admissions or registrar’s office at target institutions to inquire about their specific policies regarding GED College Ready scores and potential credit transfers. Policies can vary widely between institutions, so this step is essential for understanding the potential benefits at each school.
Request an ACE Transcript
To formally document GED test results for colleges, you may need to request an ACE (American Council on Education) Transcript. This process involves:
Creating an account on the ACE CREDIT website (www.acenet.edu/transcripts)
Building the ACE Transcript by selecting the GED test modules taken
Ordering the transcript (registration costs $20 and includes one free transcript)
Waiting for approval from GED Testing Service (usually completed within 48 hours)
Apply and Enroll
When applying to colleges, you should highlight their GED College Ready or College Ready + Credit achievements in their application materials. This information can be valuable for admissions decisions and course placement.
Follow Up
Once enrolled, you should follow up with their academic advisor to ensure that any applicable benefits (such as course waivers or credits) are applied to their academic record.
It’s important to note that the actual credit transferred or benefits received are solely at the discretion of the institution. While the ACE CREDIT recommendations are widely recognized, each college or university may have its own policies regarding how they apply these recommendations.
For GED College Ready scores (165-174), benefits may include:
- Waiver from developmental education requirements and courses
- Waiver from placement testing
For GED College Ready + Credit scores (175-200), additional benefits may include:
- Eligibility for up to 10 semester-hours of college credit (3 credits in Math, 3 in Science, 3 in Social Studies, and 1 in Humanities)
NOTE: These score levels indicate college readiness, they don’t guarantee success in college.
Continue Reading: Pay for GED without taking the test
FAQS
What Is the Highest Score on the GED Ready Test?
The highest score on the GED Ready Test is 200 points per subject area. This practice test, designed to predict performance on the actual GED exam, covers four subjects: Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science.
A score of 165 or higher on the GED Ready Test indicates a strong likelihood of passing the official GED exam in that subject. However, it’s important to note that the GED Ready Test is a predictor, not a guarantee of actual GED performance.
What’s a Good Score for GED?
A good score on the GED test is generally considered to be 145 or higher in each of the four subject areas. This is the passing score that most states require. However, scoring 165 or above is even better, as it indicates college readiness.
Some colleges may require higher scores for admission or placement. Ultimately, a “good” score depends on your personal goals and the requirements of any educational institutions or employers you’re targeting.
Is 735 a Good GED Score?
A score of 735 on the GED is not applicable in the current scoring system. The GED test was redesigned in 2014, and scores now range from 100 to 200 for each subject. The total score is no longer used.
Instead, test-takers receive individual scores for each of the four subjects. A passing score is 145 per subject, with 165-174 indicating college readiness and 175-200 demonstrating college credit eligibility.
What Is My GPA if I Got a GED?
If you earned a GED, you don’t have a traditional Grade Point Average (GPA). The GED is scored differently, with passing scores typically ranging from 145 to 200 on each of the four subject tests.
While some institutions may calculate an equivalent GPA based on your GED scores, there’s no standard conversion. For college admissions or employment purposes, your actual GED scores are usually more relevant than a GPA equivalent.
What Percentage of Pepsaret Students Achieve College Ready Scores?
Based on reports and student reviews of Prepsaret, 78% of Prepsaret students achieve College Ready scores. This high success rate is attributed to Prepsaret’s use of practice questions that closely mimic the GED test format.
Furthermore, Prepsaret’s tests are based on past GED papers, which increases the likelihood of encountering similar questions on the actual GED test.