How Long Does It Take To Get A Ged

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 often the preferred method of continuing their education and professional careers.

A GED works as an equivalent to a standard high school diploma and is often 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 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.

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.

References

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.3102/00346543073003369
https://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1162/003465300558605