What is the GED? A plain guide for South Africans

What the GED is, who it is for, the four subject tests, the pass mark and how it works in South Africa, explained in plain English.

All guides · Reviewed 7 October 2026

Short answer: The GED is an American high school equivalency credential that you earn by passing four computer-based subject tests: Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Science and Social Studies. In South Africa you write the tests in English at an authorised test centre, you must be at least 17, and you need 145 out of 200 in each subject.

What the GED is

GED stands for General Educational Development. It is a set of four tests run by GED Testing Service in the United States. Passing all four shows that you have the knowledge and skills of someone who finished American high school.

It is not a course and it is not a South African school qualification. There are no classes you must attend and no school-based assessment. You prepare in whatever way suits you, and then you write the official tests when you are ready.

The four subjects

Mathematical Reasoning (115 minutes): number work, algebra, geometry, graphs and functions.
Reasoning Through Language Arts (150 minutes): reading, grammar and one written essay.
Science (90 minutes): life science, physical science, and Earth and space science.
Social Studies (70 minutes): civics and government, history, economics and geography.

You can write the subjects one at a time, in any order, and you keep each pass. See GED test subjects and format for the details.

Who can write it in South Africa

You must be 18 or older. If you are 17, you first complete an age waiver in your GED.com account.
Nobody aged 16 or younger may write the GED in South Africa.
You need a Smart ID card, a green ID book or a valid passport. Birth certificates are not accepted.
The test is offered in English only.

The full steps are in How to register for the GED in South Africa.

What it is good for, and what it is not

People choose the GED because it is flexible: you can study at your own pace as an adult, and you can finish in months rather than years.

It also has limits you should know before you start. The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) compares the GED to the National Senior Certificate at NQF Level 4, but a GED earned in South Africa after 2019 does not qualify for a university exemption from Universities South Africa. Read Is the GED accepted by South African universities? before you decide.

Common questions

Is the GED the same as matric?

No. The GED is an American high school equivalency credential. SAQA compares it to the National Senior Certificate at NQF Level 4, but it is a different qualification with different rules for university entrance.

How many subjects are in the GED?

Four: Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Science and Social Studies. You need at least 145 out of 200 in each one.

Can I write the GED in South Africa?

Yes. You book through GED.com and write on a computer at an authorised test centre in South Africa. You must be at least 17 (with a waiver) or 18 and older.