Illinois

You are required to be 18 years old to take the GED^® test in Illinois.

You can be 17 and take the GED^® test if you provide a withdrawal letter from the last school attended. Please review the full documentation requirements on the Illinois Community College Board’s website: http://www2.iccb.org/adult_ed/hse/students-test-takers/

Proof of withdrawal may be emailed to [email protected] or faxed to  217-558-6700.

16 year olds are not eligible to take the GED^® test unless currently enrolled in a Regional Safe Schools Program, an Alternative Learning Opportunities Program, or the Lincoln’s Challenge Academy. Those programs must petition on the student’s behalf for the student to be approved to take the GED^® test.

For those testing on the Online Exam: 

• Your parent/guardian must be present at the pre-test check in to give consent and authorize underage tester to be recorded during testing. If parent/guardian is not present the exam session will be revoked. 

Yes, in Illinois you’re required to be a resident for 30 days or more.

You will be required to prove residency on the day of your exam. Please bring a government-issued photo ID with you when you test. If that photo ID does not have a current Illinois address, you will also need to provide proof of residency.

Some states allow people who don’t live there to take the GED^® test and others don’t. You’ll need to check the residency requirement for the state that you’re interested to test in.

No, Illinois doesn’t require you to prepare for the GED^® test in an adult education classroom.

For those testing in-person at a Testing Center: 

• No, you’re not required to take the GED Ready® practice test before taking the official GED® test. 

For those testing on the Online Exam: 

• Yes, you are required to take the GED Ready® practice test before taking the official GED® test online. 

In Illinois, GED® test takers are required to complete an Illinois Constitution Module in addition to their GED® exam. The module is available at the ICCB website. As a pandemic measure, all candidates who completed and passed all sections of their GED® exam prior to June 30, 2022 are eligible to receive their Illinois High School Diploma without the constitution requirement. Please visit the ICCB website for more information on this waiver and how to request your records.

What is my cost if I test at a Test Center?

• Starting July 1, 2023: Illinois charges $36 per subject for the GED® test at a Test Center.

What is my cost if I test Online?

• Illinois charges $36 per subject for the GED® test via Online.

You will pay for the test online with a debit or credit card when you schedule your test.

Don’t have a credit or debit card? Some students use American Express Bluebird. Register for a free Bluebird card online and add funds with cash at a Walmart location. Learn more about Bluebird.

For those testing in-person at a Testing Center:  

• In Illinois, there is no waiting period if you do not pass a subject area test the first time. After taking a test subject 3 times, you’ll have to wait 60 days before retesting. There’s no limit to how many times you can test in a year.

For those testing on the Online Exam: 

• The Online Proctored Exam allows for one retake before a 60 day waiting period. After taking a test subject two times online, you’ll have to wait 60 days before retesting.  

For those testing in-person at a Testing Center: 

• Starting July 1, 2023: You will receive one discounted* retake for every GED® test subject you purchase but don’t pass. You have 365 days after your full price test to use this retake. This retake offer (1 full price:1 discount) repeats until you pass the test. GED Testing Service waives its $26 testing fee, however additional testing fees may still apply in your state.

*In Illinois, there is a $10 test center fee for GED® test retakes.

Note: We have extended the limited-time offer of up to 2 discounted retakes for exams taken in test centers, as long as both retakes are completed by June 30, 2024.  

For those testing on the Online Exam:

• The Online Proctored Exam costs $36 for a retake in Illinois. Discounted retakes are not offered on the Online Proctored Exam. 

There may be additional requirements that you need to meet. We recommend contacting your local test center or your state’s office at (217) 558-5668.

You must contact the Regional Office of Education for the county in which you tested in to request your transcripts or certificates. 

Cook County residents should contact the Cook County High School Equivalency Records Office at iccb.CookHSE@‎illinois.gov or by calling 1-312-814-4488.

In Illinois the credential is called the Illinois High School Diploma.

For those testing in-person at a Testing Center:

• Yes, in Illinois you can take all test subjects in the same day if you can find a testing center with hours that accommodate it.

For those testing on the Online Exam:

• No, you must schedule your test appointments separately, one at a time. After you complete one online exam you may schedule another, based on appointment availability.

Yes, in Illinois you can test in English or Spanish and you can combine tests from different languages to earn your credential.

It depends on whether or not that state has a residency requirement. Check the residency requirements in that state and don’t hesitate to contact the GED Administrator^™ in that state with questions.

Jennifer K. Foster
GED Administrator^™
Illinois Community College Board
401 E. Capitol Avenue
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 558-5668