The GED passing score gets talked about like a single magic number, but it works a little differently once you see how the four subjects are actually scored. Each test is graded on its own scale, and your result on one subject has no bearing on the others. Before you can set a realistic study target, it helps to understand exactly how that scale works and what it takes to clear it.
What is the GED passing score?
The GED passing score is 145 out of 200 on each of the four subject tests. This means you must earn at least 145 in Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies to earn your GED credential.
The passing requirement is applied to each subject individually. Your scores are not averaged together, so a strong result in one subject cannot make up for a score below 145 in another.
For example, your results might look like this:
|
GED subject |
Passing score |
|
Mathematical Reasoning |
145 |
|
Reasoning Through Language Arts |
145 |
|
Science |
145 |
|
Social Studies |
145 |
If you score 150 in Math, 148 in Language Arts, 155 in Science, and 144 in Social Studies, you have passed three subjects but have not yet completed the GED. You would only need to retake Social Studies and raise that score to at least 145.
Because there are four subjects, earning exactly 145 on each test would produce a combined score of 580. However, 580 is not a separate total GED passing score requirement. What matters is that every individual subject score meets or exceeds 145.
If you receive a score below 145, you do not have to retake the entire GED. You can focus on the subject you did not pass, review your weaker skills, and take that individual test again when you are ready.
How is the GED scored?
Each subject uses a scaled score between 100 and 200, rather than a raw count of correct answers. Harder questions typically carry more weight, so two people can miss a different number of questions and still land on the same score.
|
Score range |
Level |
What it means |
|
100-144 |
Below passing |
Falls short of the minimum required to earn your GED |
|
145-164 |
Passing |
Meets the minimum score needed for your credential |
|
165-174 |
GED College Ready |
Suggests readiness for college coursework, often waiving certain placement tests |
|
175-200 |
GED College Ready + Credit |
May qualify for actual college credit, depending on the school |
Checking your full GED score range can help you see exactly where a specific result falls and what it signals beyond a simple pass or fail. Credit and placement policies vary by institution, so anything above 165 is worth confirming directly with the school you're planning to attend.
How to improve your GED passing score?
Rather than studying all four subjects equally, the more efficient path starts with knowing exactly where you stand.
Step 1: Start with a diagnostic test
A GED diagnostic test shows which subjects are already close to passing and which need real work, so you're not spending equal time on something you've already mastered.
Step 2: Set a target score, not just "pass"
Studying toward 165 instead of 145 gives you a buffer against test-day nerves or a harder-than-expected question set, rather than aiming for the bare minimum and hoping nothing goes wrong.
Step 3: Practice the specific format, not just the content
Reviewing a comprehensive GED study guide covers study habits that go beyond content review, like pacing and getting comfortable with the on-screen question types you'll actually see on test day.
Step 4: Retest strategically
If a practice score keeps landing in the 130s for a specific subject, whether that's Math, RLA, Science, or Social Studies, that's a sign to slow down there specifically rather than pushing forward on a fixed timeline and hoping it improves on its own.
Consistent, targeted practice tends to move a score further than cramming every subject the week before your test date.
FAQs
1. Is a 735 a good GED score?
Yes, assuming it comes from four individual subject scores that each meet or exceed 145. A total of 735 averages out to roughly 184 per subject, which lands well within the GED College Ready + Credit range. That said, the total number alone doesn't tell the full story, since it's possible to hit 735 with an uneven spread across subjects, so checking each individual score matters more than the sum.
2. Can I go to college with a 145 GED score?
Yes, a 145 on each subject is enough to earn your GED and apply to the vast majority of colleges, since most treat the credential itself as the requirement rather than setting a higher score threshold. Where a 145 might limit you slightly is with placement tests or remedial coursework, since some schools use scores above 165 to waive those requirements. Whether you can go to college with a GED at your specific target schools often comes down to the rest of your application, not just this one number.
3. Is 170 a good GED score?
Yes, a 170 falls into the GED College Ready range, which signals you're prepared for entry-level college coursework without needing certain placement exams. It's a solid result that goes beyond simply passing, though it stops just short of the College Ready + Credit tier that starts at 175.
4. What is the highest possible GED score?
The highest possible score is 200 on each subject, for a maximum total of 800 across all four tests. Reaching 200 isn't necessary for any practical purpose, since scores of 175 and above already qualify for the top College Ready + Credit tier, but it represents the ceiling of the scoring scale.
Conclusion
So, what is the GED passing score? It comes down to 145 on each of the four subjects, scored independently rather than averaged together. Where you land above that minimum can open up additional benefits, from skipping placement tests to potentially earning college credit. If you're not sure where your own preparation currently stands, working through a GED practice test is the clearest way to find out before you commit to a test date.
