How Community Colleges Convert GED Scores Into a Starting GPA

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You dropped out of high school, took the GED, and passed. You now want to apply to a local community college to start your nursing degree. The application asks for your High School GPA.

You don't have one. You only have a GED score report (scaled from 145 to 200 per subject). What do you type into the box?

The Conversion Metric

While the GED testing service does not officially issue a "GPA," colleges need a numerical baseline to determine if you are eligible for honors programs, merit scholarships, or if you need to be placed in remedial math classes.

Most colleges use an unofficial conversion scale based on the "College Ready" benchmarks built into the new GED test format.

Here is the standard metric:

145 - 164 (Pass/High School Equivalence): This is passing, but it is considered basic. It roughly translates to a 2.0 - 2.9 GPA (C average).

165 - 174 (College Ready): This score proves you are ready for credit-bearing college courses. It roughly translates to a 3.0 - 3.4 GPA (B average).

175 - 200 (College Ready + Credit): This is the elite tier. You scored so high that many colleges will actually award you 3-10 college credits just for taking the test. This translates to a 3.5 - 4.0+ GPA (A average).

The Strategy for Admissions

If your GED scores are in the 165+ range, you should aggressively apply to the Honors College at your community college, and you should demand to bypass any "placement testing" for math and English. Your score mathematically proves you do not need remedial classes.

If your scores are in the 145 - 150 range, the college will likely force you to take "Remedial Math 099" before you are allowed to take a class that actually counts toward your degree.

The Hack: If you barely passed the GED with a 145, do not submit that score if you can avoid it. Instead, take the Accuplacer or TSI placement tests at the community college. If you score high on the placement test, they will ignore your low GED score and put you straight into college-level classes.