GED guideScores & results
GED Passing Score: What 145 Means for Each Subject
You need 145 on every GED subject. A higher score on one test does not replace a subject below 145, and a higher band is not a college admission.
Short answer
You pass a GED subject at 145. You need 145 or higher on all four subjects to earn the credential. A 180 in math does not compensate for a 140 in social studies. Scores above 165 or above 175 may matter to a college for placement or credit, but they do not guarantee admission or credit. There is no published count of correct answers that equals 145 on every form.
145 is a subject score, not an average
GED Testing Service says you need at least 145 on each subject. The four subjects are Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. The Texas Education Agency publishes the same passing scores and lists the GED score range as 100–200. That range is a scale. It is not a percent correct, and this page will not invent a raw-score conversion.
| Result on one subject | What the official score page says |
|---|---|
| Below 145 | That subject is not passed. The credential is not complete. |
| 145 or higher | That subject is passed. |
| Above 165 | GED.com says this shows readiness for college-level courses and may qualify for a placement waiver if you enroll. |
| Above 175 | GED.com says this could qualify for up to 10 college credit hours. |
“May” and “could” are the official words. A college still sets its own placement and credit rules. A higher band is not an admission letter.
Why a strong subject cannot carry a weak one
Here is an original example, not a real score report. Imagine these four scores:
- Math 180
- Language arts 160
- Science 150
- Social studies 140
The average is (180 + 160 + 150 + 140) / 4 = 157.5. That average is above 145. The credential is still incomplete because social studies is 140. The next study step is social studies, not more math for its own sake.
If your report shows something like this, practice the subject that is still below 145. Passy cannot see your official report and does not calculate a GED scaled score.
What not to do with a score
Do not convert 7 out of 10 practice items into 145. A short practice set is not a scaled form. GED Ready has its own indicator, explained on the GED Ready page. Passing GED Ready is not the same event as passing the operational test, even when the likely-to-pass band also starts at 145.
Do not schedule a retake for a passed subject just to chase credit unless you have checked the approval process. The retake guide separates a failed-subject retake from a request to retest for a higher score.
Trust the source
Official sources
Exam policies can change. Use these primary sources for the most current details.