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G E D

High School Equivalency (GED®)

GED Subject Areas. Reasoning through language arts. Social studies. Science. Mathemathical reasoning.

Earning a high school diploma or a high school equivalency credential is an important milestone in building the foundation to you or your child's future success. The General Education Development, or GED® certificate, is recognized as the official high school equivalency credential in South Dakota.

The American Council on Education developed the GED® Diploma in the 1940s to help veterans who had joined the military without finishing high school. Passing the test allowed them access to careers and postsecondary programs that required a high school diploma. In the 80+ years since, millions of Americans and thousands of South Dakotans have earned their credential for both personal and professional gain.

Today's GED® test is four separate exams covering four content areas measuring an individual has gained the same or "equivalent" knowledge of a traditional high school graduate. The four subject areas are: Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA), Social Studies, Science and Mathematical Reasoning.

Individuals who earn their GED® Credential are just as prepared to enter the workforce, launch a career, or enter a postsecondary degree or training program as traditional high school graduates.

GED Testing and Prep Centers. Link to PDF.
16-17 year olds. Link to PDF.
South Dakota GED Quick Fact. Link to PDF.
GED Frequently Asked Questions. Link to PDF
School-Aged GED® Learners (16-17-year-olds)

Students who are 16- or 17- years old, may be eligible to take the GED® Test is South Dakota if certain criteria are met.
16- or 17-Year Olds' Path to Earning the GED Credential Flyer

School Districts
(School Sponsored Program)		 Parents/Guardians
(Alternative Instruction - Homeschool)

Pursuant to SDCL 13-27-1 students who are 16- or 17-years old, MAY be eligible to take the GED® Test as a part of an IN-SCHOOL or school sponsored program if one of the following conditions is met:

  1. The child is enrolled in a South Dakota school district and is participating in an in-school or school-sponsored high school equivalency preparation program.
  2. The child has been court ordered or has authorization from a court services officer to take the exams.
  3. The child is under the direction of the Department of Corrections.
  4. The child is enrolled in an approve Job Corps program.

The In-School Underage GED® Testing Waiver Form should be submitted by the school district or the authorized institutions for any student who meets the necessary criteria outlined above and with whom a plan has been developed to help support the student. The waiver must be signed by a school administrator. This waiver SHOULD NOT be submitted by the parents/guardians.

By submitting this waiver, a school district verifies the student will be participating in an in-school or school-sponsored high school equivalency prep program under the supervision of the school district. DO NOT submit this waiver if the student will be completing their GED® through alternative instruction under the supervision of a parent/guardian.

Pursuant to SDCL 13-27-3, students who are 16- or 17-years old, are eligible to take the GED® Test as a part of alternative instruction (homeschooling). The following steps MUST be taken in order for your child to take the GED® Test :

  1. The parent/guardian MUST file the Alternative Instruction Notification Form with the Department of Education. This form must be on file before you can proceed to Steps 2 and 3.
  2. The student should create a GED® account at GED.com. A GED® account is necessary for all testers.
  3. Parents MUST submit the Alternative Instruction Underage GED® Waiver Form.

Foreign Exchanges Students A foreign exchange student who is 16 or 17 years old may take the GED® test if they are:

  1. No longer enrolled in the host district and can provide signed permission from a parent.
  2. Permission from the host parent is insufficient unless the host parent is also the legal guardian.
  3. The written permission from the legal parent or legal guardian must be properly notarized by either a notary public in the United States or a comparable entity in the parent/guardian's country of origin.
Adult GED® Learners (18 years old and up)

Anyone over the age of 18 who is not currently enrolled in an accredited school district or who has not already earned their high school diploma is eligible to take the GED® Test in South Dakota.

The first step is creating an account at GED.com.

After you’ve created your account, you may want to connect to additional resources to help you on your journey. In South Dakota, the Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR) oversees several Adult Education and Literacy Programs (AELs) that help provide resources, tutoring, classes, and other GED® supports to adult learners. Additionally, many tribal organizations and some private non-profits also provide GED® testing supports and services to adult learners. The following resources provide more information about these programs and providers.

View a list of all GED® Testing and Preparation Centers in South Dakota

General GED® Information & Resources

The following resources provide more information about the GED® Test as well as the GED® Credential in South Dakota.

The South Dakota Department of Education does NOT provide official transcripts or certificates. All official documents must be ordered through GED Testing Services®. Need help with ordering a duplicate transcript or certificate?

Learn More About the GED® Test with the following resources.

  • Official GED Website
  • GED Testing Services Information Videos
  • Official GED® Study Guides
  • South Dakota State Library - High School Equivalency Center (Learning Express Library Resources)

    • Reports and Publications

    Questions? Contact GED@state.sd.us or (605) 773-4726