--- title: "Getting your GED in Kansas, Ohio, and West Virginia | CareerDirecting" description: "How the GED works in Kansas, Ohio, and West Virginia, what it costs, and how to train for a trade while you finish your high school equivalency." url: https://careerdirecting.com/ged/ updated: 2026-10-08 site: CareerDirecting --- Before you start # No GED yet? You can still get trained Most programs ask for a diploma or GED. Here's how to get one, and how some schools let you do both at once. Free prep · Four subjects · Start anytime A high school diploma or a GED is the one thing almost every training program and employer asks for. The good news: it's usually fast, it's often free to prepare for, and some trade programs let you earn your GED while you're already training for a job. - The test has four subjects, not one giant exam. - You can take the subjects one at a time, at your own pace. - Adult education centers near you offer free classes to get ready. In short A GED (or its equivalent, like the HiSET in some states) is a four-subject high school equivalency test you can take at your own pace, one subject at a time. You prepare through free adult education classes and pass each subject to earn your state's high school equivalency diploma. Kansas administers it through the Board of Regents, and Ohio and West Virginia each run their own programs with their own rules. Many trade programs let you train while you finish your GED. [Fill out the form](#gd-form) and pick "Some high school" so we include schools that help. ## Why it matters, and why it's not a wall Trade schools, community colleges, apprenticeships, and most employers ask for a high school diploma or its equivalent. It's not about the paper itself - it shows you can show up, follow through, and handle basic reading and math. If you don't have one, that's a starting point, not a dead end. Here's how it works and what it costs in time. ## How the test works In most states the test is the GED. It has four subjects: Reasoning Through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Science, and Social Studies. You take them separately and can schedule them around work. In some states, including Ohio, the HiSET is offered as another option. Scores from the older HiSET and TASC are combined in West Virginia, so past work can still count. You prepare through a local adult education center, which offers classes (often free) and practice tests. Taking the official practice test first is the single best way to know you're ready. ## By state: Kansas, Ohio, and West Virginia ### Kansas Who runs it The Kansas Board of Regents administers high school equivalency and issues the Kansas State High School Diploma. The test The four-subject GED. You pass by scoring at least 145 on each subject, for a total of 580 or higher. How to start Create a free account at GED.com, then find an adult education center near you for free preparation. Starting at 18, no special conditions apply. Take it online Kansas students can test at a testing center or take the official online-proctored GED through GED.com. Sources: Kansas Board of Regents, Kansas GED Information and adult education pages. Rules change; confirm with the Board of Regents or your adult education center. ### Ohio Who runs it The Ohio Department of Education & Workforce runs the High School Equivalency (HSE) program. The test Ohio offers two options: the GED and the HiSET. The passing score is 145 or higher on each subject. Voucher Ohio residents who are first-time test takers can get a state voucher code to cover the first subtest. Contact your local Career Technical Planning District office for a code. Residency and age You must be an Ohio resident. If you're 16 to 18, you'll need a signed school withdrawal form, and 16- and 17-year-olds also need a notarized consent form. Sources: Ohio Department of Education & Workforce, High School Equivalency (GED/HiSET) pages. Rules change; confirm with the state HSE office. ### West Virginia Who runs it West Virginia Adult Education, through the state Department of Education. The test The four-subject GED, in English or Spanish. Older HiSET and TASC scores are combined indefinitely, so they still count. Practice test first All candidates must pass the official GED practice test before registering for the real exam. Your adult education instructor helps you register and schedule. Residency West Virginia has no residency requirement - but if you test here, your diploma is issued by West Virginia. If you take it in another state, follow that state's rules. Get help Call the WV Adult Education Hotline at 800-642-2670 for classes and next steps. Sources: West Virginia Department of Education, Adult Education and GED pages. Rules change; confirm with your adult education center. ### Don't let the GED stop you. Pick "Some high school" on the form and we'll include schools that help you finish a GED while you train. [Find schools near me](#gd-form) ## Doing both at once You don't always have to finish your GED before you start training. Many adult education programs are built to run alongside career training. In Kansas, for example, a program called Accelerating Opportunity: Kansas lets learners 16 and older work on their high school equivalency and a technical certificate at the same time. In other states, individual trade schools will admit you while you finish your GED - worth asking about directly. Tell us on the form that you don't have a diploma yet, and we'll include schools that can help. ## Questions about the GED ### Do I need a GED to go to trade school? Most programs ask for a high school diploma or its equivalent. Some schools, and some state programs, will let you start training while you finish your GED. If you don't have one yet, mark "Some high school" on the form so we match you with schools that can help. ### How long does it take to get a GED? It depends on where you're starting. You can take the four subjects one at a time, and some people finish in a few months while working. Free adult education classes and the official practice test help you move faster and avoid paying for a test you're not ready for. ### Does the GED cost money? The test itself usually has a fee per subject, and preparation classes at adult education centers are often free. Ohio gives first-time test takers a voucher code that covers the first subtest. Ask your local adult education center about costs and any help available. ### Can I take the GED online? In Kansas, yes - the official online-proctored GED is available through GED.com. Ohio also offers online proctoring with its own rules. Check your state's adult education office for what's allowed where you live. ### What if I already passed some subjects years ago? Your prior scores may still count. In West Virginia, older HiSET and TASC scores are combined, and states generally let you pick up where you left off. Contact your state's adult education or equivalency office to check your record. ## Related - [All careers](https://careerdirecting.com/careers/) - [Paying for trade school](https://careerdirecting.com/paying-for-school/) - [Schools by state](https://careerdirecting.com/trade-schools/) - [Trade schools in Kansas](https://careerdirecting.com/trade-schools/kansas/) - [Trade schools in Ohio](https://careerdirecting.com/trade-schools/ohio/) - [Trade schools in West Virginia](https://careerdirecting.com/trade-schools/west-virginia/) --- Canonical page: https://careerdirecting.com/ged/