New Jersey

A high school diploma gives you access to numerous job opportunities and pursuing a college education. If you’re an adult resident of New Jersey without a high school diploma, you can get its equivalent by obtaining your GED® credential.

Earning your GED ® in New Jersey involves preparing for and passing a series of tests. Below are resources to help you know what to expect.

FAQs for Earning a GED in New Jersey

Top Policies

How old do I need to be to take the test?

I’m underage. What do I need to do to take the test?

• complete a Certificate of Consent to Participate form verifying that you’re not enrolled in school, have permission to take the GED ® test and have a parent or legal guardian accompany you to the test center with your completed Certificate of Consent to Participate form . You must bring your Certificate of Consent form to a test center whether you plan to test at a test center or the online exam.
  
• If you have a legal guardian, you must bring a copy of the court document awarding guardianship.
  
• If the parent cannot go to the test center, the Consent to Participate form must be signed by the parent before a New Jersey Notary. The student can take the notarized form to the chief examiner at the test center who will the n verify the form to release the age restriction. The student can the n complete the registration for the online assessment.

For those testing on the Online Exam:

• A parent or guardian must be present at the pre-test check-in to give consent and authorize the underage tester to be recorded during testing. If the parent or guardian is not present, the exam session will be revoked.

Do I need to prove I’m a resident of New Jersey to take the test?

• Driver’s Licenses, Permits, Passports, Voter registrations, School/College ID, Employee ID, or other photo identification, valid or expired, that has been issued by a public entity or private third party;
  

In addition to photo identification you must provide one or more of the following:

• Property tax bills; deeds; contracts of sale; leases; mortgages; signed letters from landlords; and other evidence of property ownership, tenancy, or residency;
  
• Financial account information; utility bills; delivery receipts; and other evidence of personal attachment to a particular location;
  
• Court orders; State agency agreements; and other evidence of court or agency placements or directives;
  
• Receipts; bills; cancelled checks; insurance claims or payments; and other evidence of expenditures demonstrating personal attachment to a particular location or to support the test taker
  
• Medical reports; counselor or social worker assessments; employment documents; unemployment claims; benefit statements; and other evidence of circumstances demonstrating family or economic hardship, or temporary residency;
  
• Affidavits, certifications, and sworn attestations pertaining to statutory criteria from the parent, guardian, person keeping an “affidavit student,” adult student, person(s) with whom a family is living, or others, as appropriate;
  
• Documents pertaining to military status and assignment; and
  
• Any other business record or document issued by a governmental entity.

The closest testing center is in a different state. Can I take the test there?

Some states allow people who don’t live there to take the GED ® test and others don’t. You’ll need to check the residency requirement for the state that you’re interested to test in.

Do I need to take a GED ® class or receive instruction from a local prep center before I can take the test?

Do I have to take the GED Ready ® practice test before testing?

• No, you’re not required to take the GED Ready ® practice test before taking the official GED ® test.

For those testing on the Online Exam :

• Yes, you’re required to take the GED Ready ® practice test before taking the official GED ® test online.

Price & Payment

How much does the GED ® test cost?

What is my cost if I test Online?

• New Jersey charges $36 per subject for the GED® test via Online.

How do I pay for the test?

You will pay for the test online with a debit or credit card when you schedule your test. Don’t have a credit or debit card? Some students use American Express Bluebird. Register for a free Bluebird card online and add funds with cash at a Walmart location. Learn more about Bluebird.

Test Retake Policies

If I don’t pass, how long do I have to wait before taking the test again?

• In New Jersey, there is no waiting period if you do not pass a subject area test the first time. After taking a test subject 3 times, you’ll have to wait 60 days before retesting. There’s no limit to how many times you can test in a year.

For those testing on the Online Exam :

• The Online Proctored Exam allows for one retake before a 60 day waiting period. After taking a test subject two times online, you’ll have to wait 60 days before retesting.

How much does it cost to retake the GED‌®‌ test?

You will receive one discounted* retake for every GED® test subject you purchase but don’t pass. You have 365 days after your full price test to use this retake. This retake offer (1 full price:1 discount) repeats until you pass the test. GED Testing Service waives its $26 testing fee, however additional testing fees may still apply in your state.

*In New Jersey, there is a $10 test center fee for GED® test retakes.

For those testing on the Online Exam :

• The Online Proctored Exam costs $36 for a retake in New Jersey. Discounted retakes are not offered on the Online Proctored Exam.

Transcripts & Diploma

I passed the GED ® test but New Jersey won’t issue my diploma. What do I do?

There may be additional requirements that you need to meet. We recommend contacting your state’s office at [email protected] to find out more about your credential.

How do I request my transcript and diploma?

What is the GED ® credential in my state called?

Other

Can I take all of the GED ® test subjects at once or do I need to setup different appointment times?

• Yes, in New Jersey you can take all test subjects in the same day if you can find a testing center with hours that accommodate it.

For those testing on the Online Exam:

• No, you must schedule your test appointments separately, one at a time. After you complete one online exam you may schedule another, based on appointment availability.

Can I take the GED ® Test in other languages? Am I allowed to combine languages to credential?

Yes, in New Jersey you can take the test in English or Spanish, however, you cannot combine two different languages to earn your credential.

What happens if I move to a different state in the middle of testing? Can I continue my testing in my new state or do I have to start all over?

It depends on whether or not that state has a residency requirement. Check the residency requirements in that state and don’t hesitate to contact the GED Administrator ™ in that state with questions.

Who is the GED Administrator ™ in New Jersey?

Larry Breeden
GED Administrator ™
New Jersey Department of Education
GED Testing
P.O. Box 500
Trenton, NJ 08625-0500
Phone: (609) 341-3071
Fax: (609) 984-0573

What You Need to Take the GED ® Exam in New Jersey

Before you start preparing, ensure you understand the steps to begin the process. You can’t be enrolled in a high school program or hold a diploma. You can take the exam if you’re 18 or older, but you may qualify at 16 or 17. Those in the latter category need a completed Certificate of Consent to Participate form, and a parent or guardian must accompany them to the testing center.

If you meet these criteria, find a GED ® program in New Jersey or enroll in an online prep course today. You’ll need to create an account or log into your existing account.

Studying for the GED ® in New Jersey

As with any test, studying the covered topics increases your chances of passing. Taking online or in-person classes prepares you for the test questions and boosts your confidence.

If you would rather learn in person, find a location near you and enroll in prep classes to prepare for the test. Advantages of in-person courses include:

• Experienced and supportive teachers
• Group study opportunities with peers
• Flexible schedules for students with full-time employment
• Assistance throughout the GED ® process
• A thorough exploration of GED ® test subjects
• Practice tests and reviews
• Career and college planning services

Whatever method you choose, you’ll need to prepare for four test subjects—math, reading, science, and social studies.

Ready to Get Your GED ® in New Jersey?

You can take the GED ® test anytime, as it is available throughout the year. The two options for taking the test include online and in-person, although you must schedule your exam online. You’ll need to create a GED ® account to explore the various test centers in New Jersey and choose the one closest to you.

Select the time and date and the test subject you’ll be taking. Learn more about test scheduling and requesting accommodations if you have physical challenges.

Earning Your GED ® Online

In New Jersey, GED ® testing online is possible. Some students prefer to take the exam at their convenience and in the comfort of their homes. However, not everyone can take the exam online.

Our comprehensive guide to taking the GED ® test online has everything you need to know. Here’s a summary of the key information:

1. When taking the online GED ® test in New Jersey, students must be residents of the state; otherwise, you will not receive a diploma even if you pass all test subjects.

1. Only those with scores within the “Likely to Pass” range or “Green zone” on the GED Ready ® test can take the online exam for each subject. To access the practice test, you must have a GED ® account.

1. Once you’ve scored in the green zone on your test subjects, schedule your examination date through your GED ® account within 60 days. Log in with your credentials and choose “testing with an online proctor” for the subjects you wish to take.

1. Before your test appointment, you’ll need access to a computer with a webcam and a reliable internet connection. Run a test to ensure your setup is suitable for online testing—an unstable connection can impact your performance during the exam.

Get Your New Jersey GED ® Credential

Begin your journey to earning your GED ® credential by taking prep classes in New Jersey or studying the free materials available.

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or other concerns. And once you are ready, schedule the test at your convenience.