Do You Get A GED When You Graduate High School?

Last Updated on April 11, 2024.

Many students ask us the question of whether you get a GED when you graduate from high school. Well, when you graduate high school, you receive your high school diploma.

The GED exam is geared toward adults who did NOT graduate from high school. A GED is an alternative to a high school diploma.

So the simple answer is no. You will not receive a GED® when you graduate high school, and there’s also no need to receive a GED in that case.

If you need to earn your GED, dive into your GED journey with free GED classes online, featuring 100 of Onsego’s video lessons available at no cost on our website.

Keep also in mind that the GED program is not open to applicants who are already holding a high school credential.

On the other hand, if you couldn’t complete your traditional high school curriculum, you still can earn an equivalent credential if you pass the GED exam.

So the GED is a secondary education credential that is a substitution for a high school diploma.

In America, there is the GED high school equivalency test and the HiSET® exam (more about that below).

Today, practically all employers and colleges require you to hold at least a secondary education degree, also for entry positions, and the GED diploma is also your ticket toward a college education.

So if you didn’t graduate from high school, getting a high school equivalency (HSE) credential, commonly referred to as a GED, is not only a good idea but will also help to ensure better career options later in life.

Stay away, however, from practices like buying a fake GED online. If you do, you not only commit a crime, but most likely, you’ll get kicked out of school or lose your job. Is that worth the trouble? No way!

You can, if you wish, get a high school diploma after you’ve earned your GED. You are allowed to enroll in high school until you’re 21 years old, and older students may go to adult high school or sign up for an online high school program.

There are situations where having a high school degree may be better than holding a GED, for example, when enlisting in the armed forces.

You can read more about earning a high school diploma after a GED <- in this post.

GED Education

The GED (an acronym of General Educational Development) is an exam that assesses skills and knowledge at the level of graduating high school students.

Often, individuals that initially quit high school prematurely and who worry about their prospects without a secondary diploma decide to take the GED High School Equivalency exam.

The GED exam comprises four separate content area tests that are corresponding to the four core subject fields addressed in a common high school curriculum. These fields are:

• Math (Mathematical Reasoning)
• English Language (Reasoning Through Language Arts, RLA)
• Science
• Social Studies

Two HSE Tests

Today in the U.S., there are two exams available that states may use to measure knowledge and skills to issue their high school equivalency diplomas or certificates.

These 2 options are the GED® and the HiSET® exam (short for High School Equivalency Test)

The exams are challenging, and decent preparation is key. Check out these free GED practice tests to discover if online studying is something for you.

If so, register with Onsego GED Prep, an accredited, affordable, and comprehensive program that is recognized by GED Testing Service as entirely aligned to the current GED test. This course will get you all set for the GED or HiSET exam fast, entertaining, and efficiently!

The diploma or certificate that your state will award upon successfully completing the HiSET is regarded in the same way as a GED, so in the same way as a regular HS degree as well.

Please note that a number of states require GED students to additionally pass a Constitution and Civics Exam before they award the credential.

So if you gave up your high school education and were not in the position to graduate, there’s still hope. You don’t need to give up your future education. You can still earn your high school equivalency diploma and pursue the college education you want.

Sure, it will take dedication on your part, but that counts for high school grads as well. You may require some more commitment as you’ve probably been out of school for a while.

But overall counts just how much time you are willing to dedicate to studying and how much work you’re ready to put into making it all happen. There are students who benefit hugely from tutoring, not only to attain higher GED scores but also to learn how to write better.

But it’ll be worth the effort! And don’t forget that it’s never too late! A high school diploma will prove to be your passport to a rewarding and well-paying job, and you don’t need a GED if you have a high school diploma. Read also this post about how you can become a firefighter if you hold a GED.

What Do GED Grads Earn?

There may still be some discrepancy between what HS grads and GED holders earn, but, in general, people holding a secondary education degree will make at least $9,500 more annually than people without a GED or HS diploma.

So again, if you’ve graduated from high school, you won’t get a GED, and you don’t have to, as your credential is valued at least in the same way as a GED. Getting a GED would not make any sense as you already hold a diploma that’s valued perhaps even slightly better than a GED!

So when you have successfully taken the GED or HiSET exam, you will be awarded your state’s GED or High School Equivalency diploma or certificate (that depends on your state).

The credential is across the nation accepted in lieu of a high school diploma, and scores in the college-ready and college-ready + credits ranges (respectively 165-174 and 175-200) may qualify GED graduates to skip having to take the ACT or SAT entrance exams or a state-specific test for college qualification.