Who is Eligible for the GED Tests?

Tests of General Educational Development (GED_®)

Who is Eligible
for the GED Tests?

The GED Tests are intended primarily for persons who, for any number of reasons, have missed their first opportunity to complete a high school program of instruction. In New Jersey, the GED Tests can be administered to state residents who:

Have not graduated from an accredited high school or received a high school equivalency certificate or diploma;
Are not currently enrolled in a regular high school;
Are at least 16 years of age and out of school. Persons 16 or 17 years old must submit a Certificate of Consent to Participate signed, by a parent or legal guardian. If you have a legal guardian, you must bring a copy of the court document awarding guardianship.
A new residency requirement for GED candidates became effective July 1, 2001. All GED candidates will need to show a primary identification and secondary identification at the time of test registration. The primary identification must be government-issued with a date of birth, photograph, New Jersey address, and signature. The secondary identification must be a document that verifies the government identification, including your name and address.

There is no prior residency requirement.

Are not citizens of the United States, if they meet all of the above requirements, including age requirements and withdrawal from school.
Have high school diplomas from unaccredited high schools and meet the New Jersey requirements.
Have earned diplomas in countries that do not participate in the GED testing program and meet the New Jersey requirements.

All GED candidates must provide valid identification at the time of registration and prior to admittance to the testing room.

Overview	What are the GED tests?	Eligibility	Registration
Disabilities/special testing	Passing scores	Transcript/diploma verification request	Testing centers
What are the NEW GED tests (2002)?	How to qualify for a New Jersey High School Diploma	How to prepare for the GED Tests	GED Transcript Request Form (Microsoft Word \| PDF)