GED passing score: how the GED is marked

The GED pass mark, the score scale from 100 to 200, what the higher score levels mean, and the retake rules in South Africa.

All guides · Reviewed 7 October 2026

Short answer: Each GED subject is scored from 100 to 200, and you need at least 145 in every one of the four subjects to earn the credential. Scores are not averaged: 190 in one subject cannot make up for 140 in another. You keep each subject you pass, so you only rewrite the ones you missed.

The score scale

Below 145: not yet passed.
145 to 164: GED Passing Score, the high school equivalency level.
165 to 174: GED College Ready.
175 to 200: GED College Ready + Credit.

The two higher levels are used by some colleges in the United States. For most South African purposes what matters is that you reach 145 in all four subjects, though an institution may ask for more. Always check what your institution wants.

145 is not 72.5 percent

The score is a scaled score, not a percentage. GED Testing Service converts the number of points you earn into the 100 to 200 scale, and the conversion differs slightly between versions of the test so that every version is equally fair.

This is why our own practice exams show a course benchmark of 65 percent rather than a predicted GED score. A course percentage cannot be converted into an official score. The official GED Ready practice test is the one that predicts it.

Retakes

In South Africa there is no waiting period after a first unsuccessful attempt. After three attempts at the same subject you must wait 60 days. You pay the test fee for each attempt, so it is worth preparing properly before you rebook. See how to register.

Common questions

What is the pass mark for the GED?

145 out of 200 in each of the four subjects.

Can a high score in one GED subject make up for a low score in another?

No. You need at least 145 in each subject separately.

What percentage is 145 on the GED?

There is no fixed percentage. 145 is a scaled score, and the number of points needed to reach it varies slightly between test versions.