Family & Community Adult Education
General Educational Development (GED)

GED Requirements

1. Title of State Credential:

Massachusetts State High School Equivalency Diploma.

2. Requirements for Issuance of Diploma:

1. Minimum Test Scores: A standard score of not less than 410 on each of the five tests, and an average standard score of 450 on all five tests. The total standard score must be equal to or exceed 2250.

2. Residence: Applicant must be a resident of Massachusetts; last attended secondary school in Massachusetts; or proof of continued residence in Massachusetts while in the U. S. Armed Forces. (Military personnel assigned to Massachusetts or members of their families residing with them are also eligible through DANTES). Job Corps trainees or participants in similar programs assigned to centers located in Massachusetts will be issued the equivalency diploma if they are claiming residence in Massachusetts; otherwise, the transcript of their test scores will be sent to their home state for issuance of the equivalency diploma or certificate.

3. Age: 18 with no qualifications; however, if 16 or 17, the applicant must have "official letter of withdrawal" from their last school of attendance on file at test center.

4. School Status: Individual may not be enrolled in any elementary or secondary school program or have received a diploma or certificate indicating having received a high school credential.

3. Requirements for Testing:

1. Minimum Age For Testing: 18 with no qualifications; however, in order to register and be tested at 16 or 17, registrants must provide a letter from their last school of attendance attesting that they have officially withdrawn from school. "Adjudicated youth" may be tested on the order of the court, even if they are still enrolled in school.

2. Requirements for Retesting: Retest(s) must be taken in accordance with State GED Retest Policy after the completion of the full battery. A candidate must retest first on any test on which he/she achieved a score below 410.

3. Validity of Incomplete Scores and Fees: Beginning January 1, 2005 individuals must complete the five-test battery within one year from the date of taking their first test. Examinees who complete the five-test battery within the one-year, but still have not passed, will be allowed two (2) more years to successfully complete the battery. If an examinee does not successfully complete the battery during the next two years, all scores and fees become invalid and the examinee must start the process over. The policy now becomes a "One-Year plus Two-Years Policy" for GED tests in Massachusetts.

4. Individuals with disabilities: Individuals with documented physical, emotional or special learning disabilities may request special accommodations for GED testing. Registration payment for the GED Tests may be made after final determination has been made regarding a request for accommodation on the GED Tests.

4. Method of Applying:

1. Applicants must meet age and residency requirements (non-residents may be tested; however, only the score report will be sent by the Chief Examiner to the GED State Administrator's office in the examinee's state of residence);
2. Applications must be made on state approved forms obtained from and filed with official GED Testing Centers,
3. Federal Bureau of Prisons and DANTES personnel must use the approved GEDTS form.

5. Official Transcripts:

Test scores are accepted as official only when reported directly by:

1. Official GED Testing Centers,
2. Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support, (DANTES),
3. Veterans Administration hospitals and centers; and
4. The GED Testing Service.

6. Fees:

$65 payable at the time of registration ($60 per battery plus $5 processing fee for diploma);

Maximum allowable charges for the following will be;

1. $15 per individual test/retest;
2. $25 per test charged for "no-shows";
3. $200 replacement cost for any destroyed test materials;
4. $7.50 per duplicate transcript
5. $2 per Letter of Certification (Duplicate diplomas are not issued. Verification will be sent upon written request.)

7. Director GED Testing Program:

Ruth E. Derfler
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148-9120
Telephone Number: 781-338-6604
Fax Number: 781-338-3089

8. State GED Chief Examiner:

Richard T. (Tom) Mechem
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148-9120
Telephone Number 781-338-6621
Fax Number 781-338-3089

For Classes: Massachusetts Adult Literacy Hotline 800-447-8844

For list of ESE funded programs, please go to ABE and ESOL Directory

GED Requirements - Revised 2/14/05