This post lists all GED prep classes and testing centers in the Santa Maria region. California uses two options for high school equivalency testing: the HiSET and GED exams.
The GED and HiSET can be taken online or at one of California’s designated test centers. For more details on online testing, check below.
Online GED Classes-Fast, Simple and Cheap
Get Your GED Diploma in 2 Months.
A Customized Plan To Help You Get Your Diploma Fast & Easy.
The assessments offer adults who couldn’t graduate high school the chance to obtain an equivalent diploma.
Testing is administered at a level that compares to what a high school student must command upon graduation.
The GED® has four separate subtests measuring an applicants academic proficiency in the following subjects:
- Science
- Math
- Social Studies
- Language
You can write these sub-exams separately and in any order.
The HiSET® has individual Writing and Reading tests, so five in total, that you may take individually as well.
GED testing is done exclusively on a computer, whereas the HiSET exam is offered on paper and on a computer.
If you want to learn more about HiSET and GED testing fees and qualification criteria in California, visit “GED Testing In California.”
Santa Maria GED Prep Classes
Allan Hancock College Santa Maria Campus
800 S College Dr – Santa Maria – CA 93454 – Phone: 805 . 922 . 6966 x 3740/3209
Center for Employment Training
509 W Morrison Ave – Santa Maria – CA 93458 – Phone: 805 . 928 . 1737
At CET-Santa Maria, you can work toward your GED while pursuing a technical education degree through the school’s Adult Education Career Pathways program.
SER Jobs for Progress
301 S Miller St – Ste 118 – Santa Maria – CA 93454 – Phone: 805 . 310 . 5770
SER Jobs for Progress has offices in
- Santa Maria
- Lompoc
- Guadalupe
Central Coast Rescue Mission Men’s Recovery Program
1207 N McClelland St – Santa Maria – CA 93456 – Phone: 805 . 614 . 0220
Locations around Santa Maria (Cities by Alphabet)
Lucia Mar Adult Education GED Program
1055 Mesa View Dr – Arroyo Grande – CA 93420 – Phone: 805 . 474 . 3756 or 805 . 3756 . 3000 x 1222
Allan Hancock College Lompoc Valley Center
1 Hancock Dr – Lompoc – CA 93436 – Phone: 805 . 922 . 6966 x 3209
Nipomo Elementary (Lucia Mar Ad. Education)
190 E Price St – Nipomo – California 93444 – Phone: 805 . 474 . 3756
Lucia Mar Adult Education GED Classes
1425 19th St – Oceano – California 93445 – Phone: 805 . 474 . 3756
The office is located in the Oceano Community Center (1425 19th St, Oceano, on the corner of Wilmar and 19th Street).
Oxnard Adult Education (HiSET)
1800 Solar Drive – Oxnard – California 93030 – Phone: 805 – 385 – 2578
You can find all Oxnard region GED prep sites here -> Oxnard Area GED Classes
Cuesta Coll. North County Campus GED Instruction
2800 Buena Vista Dr – Paso Robles – California 93446 – Phone: 805 . 591 . 6273
SLO Coastal Adult School GED Classes
1500 Lizzie St – San Luis Obispo – CA 93401 – Phone: 805 . 549 . 1222
If you want to see all SLO locations, check out -> San Luis Obispo Area GED Classes
Sta. Barbara City Coll. GED Program
310 W Padre St – Santa Barbara – California 93105 – Phone: 805 – 898 – 8160
Check here for all -> Santa Barbara Area GED prep options
Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians | Education Department
PO Box 1234 – Santa Ynez – CA 93460 – Phone: 805 . 688 . 7997
Allan Hancock College (Solvang Village Square)
320 Alisal Rd – Ste 306 – Solvang – CA 93463 – Phone: 805 . 922 . 6966 x 3209
East Valley Skills Center Adult Education
8601 Arleta Ave – Sun Valley – CA 91352 – Phone: 818-759-5841
Is perhaps a prep location not listed, or should we make any adjustments? Please inform us here. Your feedback is appreciated.
Online GED and HiSET Exams
Students looking to get hold of their California High School Equivalency Diploma can take the HiSET or GED exam now also online. Until recently, online GED or HiSET testing was no option. Your personal appearance at one of California’s official testing centers was required.
Well, that has all changed! Both the GED and HiSET exams are now offered online in a proctored version as well. If you want to learn more about this development, check out the following pages: The online proctored GED test, and for information about the HiSET exam, go to The online proctored HiSET exam.
Free California online GED prep courseSanta Maria Area GED Test Centers
Allan Hancock College (HiSET Testing, Student Services Building A, Room 404)
800 S College Drive, Santa Maria, CA 93454, Phone: 805.922.6966
Cuesta College (GED Testing)
2800 Buena Vista Drive, Paso Robles, CA 93446, Phone: 805.591.6273
Santa Barbara Community College Schott Campus (GED testing)
310 West Padre Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, Phone: 805.898.8153
West Kern Adult Education (@Taft Historic Fort, GED testing)
915 N 10th Street (Room 22), Taft, CA 93268, Phone: (661.745.4582
GED and HiSET Scoring
The GED passing score on each of the four modules is 145. So, your overall score cannot be less than 580. Scoring takes place on a scale that runs from 100 to 200.
- The GED below-passing score is 100-144
- The GED high school equivalent score is 145-164
- The GED college-ready score is 165-174
- The GED college-ready + credit score is 175-200
On the HiSET exam, you must reach at least a score of 8 out of a possible 20 on each of the five modules. Your total score must be at least 45, while your essay must yield at least a 2-score out of 6.
Last Updated on November 13, 2023.