GED stands for General Educational Development. It refers to a series of tests that certify academic knowledge equivalent to a high school diploma in the United States and its territories
. The GED test consists of four subject areas:
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Reasoning Through Language Arts
- Science
- Social Studies
Passing these tests earns a Certificate of High School Equivalency, which is widely recognized by colleges, employers, and universities as equivalent to a traditional high school diploma
. Originally, GED was an acronym for "Tests of General Educational Development," but since 2011 the program is simply known as GED without expanding the acronym explicitly
. The GED Testing Service, a joint venture of the American Council on Education, administers the tests
. In summary, GED is a credential that demonstrates high school level academic skills for those who did not complete a traditional high school program
