How Long Does it Take to Get a GED – (And Why)?

How Long Does it Take to Get a GED – (And Why)?

Exact Answer: 2-3 months

Completing your education is an important step to a fulfilling life for many people. For those people who were unable to finish high school, for whatever reason, getting a GED is the preferred method of continuing their education and professional careers.

A GED works as an equivalent to a standard high school diploma and is treated as such. With a GED, one is able to enroll in college and work jobs that require a diploma to obtain.

Obtaining a GED opens up many opportunities that a person wouldn’t have access to before obtaining their GED. But how long does it take to get a GED, and why does it take that long?

How Long Does it Take to Get a GED

How Long Does It Really Take to Get GED?

Those looking to take the GED exam and obtain their GED may experience different time frames, this is because the amount of time it takes will differ depending on how much work is put into preparing for the test.

On average, the speed at which one obtains their GED depends on how long they study, for instance, if you study:

2-3 times per week: If one studies for the test for at least one hour, two to three times per week, one may be able to take and pass the GED test after just about two or three months.

1 time per week: If one studies for the test for one hour, one time per week, they could expect their prep time to take up to eight months.

Guided prep classes: Those who enroll in a GED preparation course can expect to be ready for the test after their course is complete. These courses are available in person and online, and they range from eight weeks long to eight months long, depending on how much help is needed and the last grade completed.

A High Angle Shot of Students Taking Exam Inside the Classroom

Overall, it takes as long as you want it to, and as short as you’re able to make it. The more one studies for the exam, the quicker they’ll be ready to take the exam. How long it takes to obtain your GED depends more on how much work is put into preparing for the exam, rather than outside forces.

However, many states have official testing dates, which you’ll need to register, pay and wait for.

Why it Takes That Long to Get GED?

You may be wondering why it takes a certain amount of time to prepare for the test, and really the answer is as simple as preparation timelines. The more you put into learning what is needed to pass the exam, the quicker you’ll obtain your GED.

Of course, if you’re enrolled in a class that isn’t self-paced, it will take as long as the course runs for. It takes however long you need to prepare because everyone learns in their own way and at their own pace.

There’s no standard for how long it takes or why, but you can speed it up or slow it down by working more or less on preparation. In reality, it takes time to prepare for the exam to allow you the best chance of passing the exam and being completely ready for it.

woman wearing green academic dress holding black seniors-printed buntings

References

  1. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.3102/00346543073003369
  2. https://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1162/003465300558605
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26 thoughts on “How Long Does it Take to Get a GED – (And Why)?”

  1. Education is a keystone to a perfect living. It’s really good to know that there are more alternatives to obtain it, at least for people who for different reasons didn’t finish high school.

  2. This is an interesting take on the overall process. It definitely puts the responsibility into the hands of the student.

    1. It’s a really different approach, but it definitely encourages student commitment to the process.

  3. The average time to prepare for the GED test is 2-3 months, depending on the dedication of the student. It seems like a reasonable amount of time.

    1. Indeed. It’s encouraging to hear that with effort and dedication, people can achieve this in a relatively short amount of time.

  4. This is so informative! It’s good to know how the different aspects of GED preparation can impact the timeline.

    1. Avatar of Anderson Bethany
      Anderson Bethany

      Absolutely, knowing more about this can really help people be better prepared for the journey.

    2. It’s definitely helpful to know more about the work behind getting a GED. Knowledge is power, after all.

  5. Avatar of Jessica Phillips
    Jessica Phillips

    The time varies according to how much work is put, so it’s up to each person. This is an interesting point of view about GED preparation.

    1. That’s a good point. Prepping for any big exam does take time, so why would the GED be any different?

    2. I never thought about it like that, but it does make sense. I guess it’s not too different from how people prepare for college exams.

  6. This is an eye-opening perspective on the GED process, and it really provides a more realistic understanding of what’s involved.

    1. It’s possible it might be less time for some people, but it depends on the studying pace and the previous knowledge about the topics.

  7. It’s good to know that the timeline for obtaining a GED depends more on the effort put into preparation than anything else.

    1. Absolutely, this puts the outcome into the hands of the student and their commitment to learning.

  8. This is a realistic point of view. It’s refreshing to hear a more honest approach to the full scope of the GED process.

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