How to Obtain a GED in Philadelphia, PA

To be eligible to take the GED test in Pennsylvania, you must be 18 years of age or older and not currently enrolled in school. However, there are exceptions. If you are 16-18 years of age, you must have a signed note from the superintendent of your school verifying your withdrawal from school plus a court order or request on company letterhead stating the following: you must be offered a job upon completing the GED test, acceptance to accredited college or university upon receipt of GED test scores, acceptance into the armed forces for which high school equivalency is a prerequisite, or within 90 days of release from a state institution, the director may request testing.

To pass the test, Pennsylvania requires a passing score of 2250 total points. Each test score can be no lower than 410 points. This means that each of the five tests should have an average score of 450 in order to meet the 2250 total. Upon completion of the GED test, you will be awarded Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma. If the diploma is lost, it cannot be reissued. However, if you fail, you can retest up to three times a year.

The Community College of Philadelphia offers preparation classes for the GED test. These classes usually start in January, May, July, and September. There is a fee of $30 per class, but it is waived for those that are unemployed or on public assistance. You will have to purchase your own textbooks. The classes can be taken at their main campus, regional centers or neighborhood locations. Each class starts with an assessment of your skills so you can start where you need to. Once you take all the classes and pass the test, you are eligible to participate in a graduate ceremony given by the Community College of Philadelphia. To register, visit the Community College of Philadelphia’s main campus or regional center. There are no mail or phone registrations. For more information call the GED HOTLINE at 215-751-8376.

G.E.D. Testing Sites:
Community College of Philadelphia 215 751-8006
1700 Spring Garden Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215)751-8006

LaSalle University Urban Center
1900 W Olney Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19141
(215) 951-1187

Benjamin Franklin High School (School District of Philadelphia)
550 N. Broad Street
Broad & Green Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 299-3383

Temple University
1301 Cecil B. Moore Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19122
(215) 204-8613