Ask GED Testing Service

Why is there still a need to have a 60-day wait period after a student takes the GED test three times? I wonder if a 30-day wait period would be just as effective, or maybe more effective?
We require a 60-day wait period between test administrations after the first three attempts for two important reasons. First, because we have only three operational forms per content area each year, the fourth and subsequent administrations will necessarily involve the students retesting on a test form that has already been seen by them. To ensure fairness and equity in the testing program we want to minimize any advantage that a student might have in retaking test items that are familiar to them. Our research, conducted over many decades, has shown that any familiarity with test items is minimized for the vast majority of students through having them wait 60 days between administrations. Second, ensuring a 60-day wait between administrations provides students with the time they need to review the score reports from their previous attempts and either to master content that they were unsure of or to learn new content that can help them to pass the test. Having shorter times between administrations can encourage students to just retest without taking the time for the study they need to improve their skills. These two factors behind the 60-day waiting period help to keep the testing  program fair for all candidates and to ensure that students always focus on skills improvement.

As a side note, it is important to mention that, for students’ last exam still needing to be passed, there is some flexibility in the 60-day waiting period.  If students have important job- or school-related deadlines, GED Testing Service may consider a one-time waiver of the 60-day period. Each request for waiver of the 60-day wait period is individually reviewed based on the particular situation and may require approval of the jurisdictional GED Administrator. This approach helps to ensure a balance between the timing needs of the student and the equity of the testing program.

–Martin Kehe, Vice President of Assessment Services for GED Testing Service

 

22 Comments

  1. I read some where that the top score from each test is taken for each subject. Is this true? Also is there a time limit to pass tests you havent passed yet?

  2. Hello,

    What is the waiting period if a student fails the same test a forth time? Is it 60 days between subsequent retests?

    Thank you

  3. After 2 retests, is there always a 60 day wait between each subsequent retest, or can the next two retests be taken immediately, as with the first two retests?
    For example:
    June 1: Initial Test
    June 2: Retest
    June 3: Retest
    (2 month wait)
    Aug 3: Retest
    Can the next retest be done on Aug 4, or is it 2 months from here on out?

  4. If you ADHD is there a special test, I can test. Its very hard for me to focus but I need to get my GED for myself. I am 61 year old I am ready to get this done.

    1. Christina, That is awesome that you are going to get this done even with the challenges you face. It may be hard but you can do it!!!!

  5. I am confused by your description. I thought that a student only has to wait 60 days after each third attempt. But I have a student who just paid full price for a 4th attempt and needs to take it a 5th time. He is being told that he has to wait 60 days again. So is it a 60 day wait after EVERY attempt past three? I thought it would reset itself.

  6. In Mr. Kehe’s answer to the initial question above, it says “Our research, conducted over many decades…..”
    Are the reports that summarize each or all of the research data available to public?

  7. If a student has already waited 60+ days between the second and third try on Math test, must the student wait an additional 60 days before retest on Math?

  8. If I already waited 60+ days between my second and third try to pass math test, must I wait an additional 60 days if I do not pass math on my third try?

  9. Hello. I am the GED Facilitator at Frank Phillips College in Dalhart, Texas. I have a student who has passed 3 of her tests, and just missed her ELA test by 3 points! She would like to retest before Christmas but she received a message she has to wait for 60 days. This is the first time she has taken the ELA test since March 15, 2018. Since it has been over 2 years since she tested before, can’t she follow the retest rules of retesting twice before waiting 60 days? This is what your information seems to indicate! Please give us some clarification on this, since she has been working on her GED for over 5 years!
    Thank you!

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