1.1 GED Social Studies Exam Overview & Scoring

GED Social Studies Exam Overview & Scoring

Quick Answer: The GED Social Studies test is one of four subject tests you must pass to earn the GED (General Educational Development) high school equivalency credential. It is a computer-based, 70-minute test with approximately 35 questions covering Civics and Government (50%), U.S. History (20%), Economics (15%), and Geography and the World (15%). You need a scaled score of at least 145 out of 200 on this test alone to pass it — there is no combined average across the four GED subjects.

Where Social Studies Fits in the Full GED Battery

The GED credential is made up of four separate subject tests: Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA), Mathematical Reasoning, Science, and Social Studies. Each is scored and passed independently — you can take them in any order, on different days, and even in different states, as long as you complete all four (typically within your state's eligibility window) to receive the full credential. Social Studies is frequently the test candidates schedule last, because its heavy reading load pairs naturally with skills built while studying for RLA, but nothing requires that order.

Unlike the old paper-and-pencil GED, today's test is administered on computer at Pearson VUE testing centers (some states also allow the online-proctored OnVUE option). Because it is computer-based, the Social Studies test can use technology-enhanced item types — drag-and-drop, drop-down, and hot spot — in addition to traditional multiple choice. Section 1.2 of this guide walks through each of those formats in detail.

Exam Format at a Glance

Content Domains and Their Weights

Every item on the test is written to exactly one of four content domains. Because Civics and Government is worth half the test, it is the single highest-leverage area for your study time — a point this guide returns to throughout the Civics chapters.

How Scoring Works: The Four Performance Levels

GED scores are reported on a 100–200 scale, and your result places you in one of four Performance Levels. These levels tell you (and colleges or employers who see your transcript) not just whether you passed, but how strong your performance was:

Note that 145 is the only number that matters for passing — 165 and 175 are bonus signals for college placement, not separate pass thresholds. A test-taker who scores 146 has passed the Social Studies test just as validly as one who scores 199; the higher score simply opens additional college-credit opportunities.

Registration, Cost, and the Retake Rule

You register and manage everything — scheduling, payment, and your official transcript — through a MyGED account. Cost is typically around $30 per subject test, though several states subsidize or waive fees for residents, so check your state's GED.com page before paying. Before sitting the real test, most candidates take the official GED Ready practice test (a low-cost, shorter practice exam that predicts "Likely to Pass," "Too Close to Call," or "Likely to Not Pass" for the real thing).

If you don't pass on your first attempt, the retake rules are straightforward:

• Your first and second retakes carry no mandatory waiting period (though you'll still pay a fee and need to reschedule).
• If you fail three times in a row on the same subject, a 60-day waiting period applies before your next attempt.
• Some states cap the number of free or discounted retakes, so confirm local policy alongside the national rule above.

A Realistic Scoring Scenario

Consider Maria, who takes the GED Social Studies test after two weeks of light review. She scores 138 — a Below Passing result, just 7 points short of the 145 cutoff. Reviewing her score report, she notices most of her missed items clustered in Civics and Government, the 50%-weighted domain. She spends three more weeks working through the constitutional-principles and branches-of-government chapters in this guide, then retakes the test (no waiting period required, since this is only her first retake) and scores 168 — solidly in the GED College Ready band. That 30-point jump illustrates why this guide devotes so much of its structure to Civics: it is the domain with the most points available per hour of study.

Key Takeaways

• The GED Social Studies test is 70 minutes, approximately 35 questions, computer-based, and has no essay section.
• Passing requires a scaled score of 145 out of 200 on this subject alone — no combined GED average exists.
• Civics and Government is 50% of the content, more than the other three domains combined.
• Scores of 165+ earn GED College Ready status; 175+ earns GED College Ready + Credit, both signaling college-credit eligibility.
• After three consecutive failed attempts, a 60-day wait applies before your next retake; the first two retakes have no mandatory wait.