How many times can you take the GED if your first attempt at a subject doesn't go the way you hoped? The good news is you're never locked out for good. What actually matters is understanding the waiting periods and attempt limits tied to how you're testing, since in-person and online rules aren't quite identical. Here's exactly what to expect before you book another attempt.
How many times can you take the GED?
There's no lifetime limit stopping you from retaking the GED. What actually controls your timeline is a mix of waiting periods and attempt caps that shift depending on whether you're testing in person or online, covered in detail below.
In-person GED testing retake rules
For in-person testing at a GED testing center, you get two subsequent retests for any failed subject with no waiting period between those first three attempts
Retake rules and waiting periods
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First 3 attempts: you can schedule your first two retakes right away if you don't pass a subject the first time
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After 3 attempts: if you still haven't passed, you must wait 60 days before your next attempt, and between every attempt after that
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Lifetime limit: none, there's no cap on how many times you can retake a subject overall
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Single subject retakes: you only need to retest the specific subject or subjects you failed, not the entire battery
A handful of states add their own twists on top of this baseline, so remember to check your local GED test requirements before assuming the standard timeline applies to you.
Costs and pricing
GED Testing Service typically waives its standard fee for your first two discounted retakes per subject, as long as they're within 12 months of your original full-price test. That said, some local test centers or states may still charge their own administration fees on top of that, so confirming your local GED test cost before scheduling is worth the extra few minutes.
Retaking a passed test for a higher score
You're not limited to retesting only the subjects you failed. If you want to improve a score on a subject you already passed, that's allowed too, though it requires an approval step first: you'll need to email GED Testing Service directly with your reason before you can schedule that retake.
Online GED testing retake rules
You can retake one of the online GED test subjects after a failed attempt, but the rules run a bit stricter than in-person testing.
Core retake rules for online testing
According to GED Testing Service, the online proctored exam allows one retake before a 60-day waiting period kicks in, one fewer attempt than the two no-wait retakes available in person. Beyond that:
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Retaking to improve a score: if you already passed a subject but want a higher score, you'll need approval first, which means emailing GED Testing Service directly with your reason before scheduling
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Location requirement: you must be physically located within the United States for any online GED session, since testing from outside U.S. borders voids your score and forfeits your fee
Fees for online retakes
Discounted or waived retake fees are more commonly tied to in-person testing. Online retakes often come at the standard subject fee rather than a reduced rate, so it's worth confirming current pricing for your state before scheduling, since policies here can vary.
That one-attempt gap is worth factoring in if you're still deciding between formats. If you're still weighing which format fits you better, it's important to review how to get your GED online in full before committing, since eligibility and retake flexibility both factor into that decision.
FAQs
1. What happens if you fail GED 3 times?
Failing a subject three times triggers a 60-day waiting period before your next attempt, both for in-person and online testing. It doesn't disqualify you from trying again, and there's no lifetime cap on retakes, but you'll also lose access to the discounted retake fee at that point and pay the standard price going forward.
2. Can you retake just one GED subject?
Yes. Each GED subject is scored and retested independently, so you only need to schedule the specific subject you didn't pass. A failed Math attempt, for example, has no effect on your ability to move forward with Science, Social Studies, or RLA.
3. Do you have to wait 60 days to retake the GED?
Not right away. In-person testing gives you two retakes with no waiting period before the 60-day rule applies, while online testing allows just one. The wait only kicks in once you've used up those initial attempts without passing.
4. Does failing one GED subject affect subjects you already passed?
No. Once you've passed a subject, that score stands on its own and doesn't get affected by how you perform on a different subject later. You can even request to retake a subject you've already passed if you're trying to improve your score, though that requires separate approval first.
Final thoughts
So, how many times can you take the GED? As many as it takes, since there's no cutoff after which you're barred from trying again. What actually shapes your timeline is the waiting period structure: two free attempts before a 60-day wait in person, just one online, so knowing that upfront can help you plan your next attempt more strategically. Before you schedule a retake, working through a GED practice test can help you pinpoint exactly what to review so you're not walking into the same result twice.