To take the GED in Arkansas, you must be at least 18, or 16 with approval. It costs $4 per subject at a test center, and online testing costs $36 per subject. You must live in Arkansas to test there. Free or subsidized testing is available for some residents. Confirm on GED.com before you book.
Key facts
Standard age (16 with approval): 18
Test center, per subject: $4
Online, per subject: $36
Residency required: Yes
How much does the GED cost in Arkansas?
At a test center, the GED costs $4 per subject in Arkansas, or $16 for all four subjects.
Online, it costs $36 per subject.
A discounted retake at a test center has no extra fee.
Free or subsidized testing: yes, for some residents. Arkansas subsidizes in-person testing, so each subject costs $4 at a test center. Scholarships may be available if you qualify.
More detail: The state says the four parts cost $16 in person. Arkansas adds no fee to a discounted in-person retake. Online tests and online retakes cost $36.
At US test centers, GED Testing Service waives its fee on retakes of a failed subject (up to two discounted retakes, used within 12 months). State and test-center fees may still apply. Online retakes are not discounted.
How old do you have to be to take the GED in Arkansas?
The standard minimum age to take the GED in Arkansas is 18.
Younger people may be able to test from age 16 with approval.
Rules for younger test takers: At 16 or 17 you must meet the state's Adult Education attendance and enrollment rules. Anyone aged 16, 17 or 18 must first pass the Civics Exam at an Adult Education Center. Online, a parent must attend check-in.
The minimum age to test online is 16.
Nationally, GED Testing Service says test takers must be at least 16 and not enrolled in an accredited high school. Each state adds its own rules.
Do you have to live in Arkansas to take the GED?
Yes. You need to live in Arkansas to take the GED there.
You must be an Arkansas resident. Prove it at the test center with a valid driver's license or other proof.
Where a state requires residency, GED Testing Service asks you to self-certify that you live there before you schedule. The state may check further.
Can you take the GED online in Arkansas?
Yes. Online testing from home is available in Arkansas for $36 per subject.
Details: Online testing is open from age 16. You need a green GED Ready score before you schedule.
Some students who test at home say working math on an on-screen whiteboard feels slow, so some choose a test center for Math. Practice your scratch work on screen if you plan to test online.
To test online, GED.com requires:
A computer with a webcam and reliable internet.
A "green" GED Ready score (Likely to Pass) within the last 60 days, for each subject you want to test online.
A private room with a closed door, and a government-issued photo ID.
You must be in the United States while you test.
What are the GED retake rules in Arkansas?
In Arkansas: In person, no wait for your first two retakes; after three attempts, wait 60 days. Online, you get one retake before a 60-day wait.
The national rule from GED Testing Service: at a test center, you can retake a subject you did not pass two times with no waiting period. After a third or later attempt, you wait 60 days. Online, you get one retake before a 60-day wait. State rules can be stricter, and they come first.
If you miss by a few points, you keep the subjects you passed and retake only the one you missed. Review the topics from your score report before you book again.
What else does Arkansas require?
Arkansas requires a GED Ready practice test score before you book at a test center.
Before you schedule, take and pass GED Ready at an approved adult education center or GED test center. You can do this one subject at a time.
Bring a non-expired, government-issued photo ID on test day (GED.com).
What is the GED credential called in Arkansas?
When you pass, Arkansas issues the Arkansas High School Diploma.
To pass, you need a score of 145 or higher on each of the four subjects: Math, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Science and Social Studies (GED.com).
Where can you check the official Arkansas rules?
Check two places before you book: the Arkansas state agency and the Arkansas page on GED.com. When they disagree, ask the state agency.
"Arkansas charges $4 per subject for the GED" (https://www.ged.com/policies/arkansas.html)
"Arkansas charges $ 36 per subject for the GED" (https://www.ged.com/policies/arkansas.html)
"Arkansas does not charge an additional fee" (https://www.ged.com/policies/arkansas.html)
"The Online Proctored Exam costs $36 for a retake in Arkansas" (https://www.ged.com/policies/arkansas.html)
"In Arkansas the credential is called the Arkansas High School Diploma" (https://www.ged.com/policies/arkansas.html)
"Any test taker ages 16, 17, or 18 must first pass the Civics Exam" (https://www.ged.com/policies/arkansas.html)
"You can prove your residency at the testing center with a valid driver" (https://www.ged.com/policies/arkansas.html)
"In Arkansas, there is no waiting period for your first two retakes" (https://www.ged.com/policies/arkansas.html)
"you may take one subject of the GED" (https://www.ged.com/policies/arkansas.html)
"At this time the four parts of the test cost $16. Scholarships may be available for those who qualify." (https://dws.arkansas.gov/adult-education/ged/what-you-need-to-know/)
"who are 16 years or older, not enrolled in or graduated from high school, and who meet other state requirements regarding residency" (https://dws.arkansas.gov/adult-education/ged/what-you-need-to-know/)
"you must take and pass the official GED" (https://dws.arkansas.gov/adult-education/ged/before-you-test/)
"it may not offer the HiSET" (https://hiset.org/get-started/state-requirements/)
"You must be 18 years old to test in Arkansas without age restriction requirements." (https://www.ged.com/policies/arkansas.html)
"After taking a test subject three times, you’ll have to wait 60 days before retesting." (https://www.ged.com/policies/arkansas.html)
"Online Proctored Exam allows for one retake before a" (https://www.ged.com/policies/arkansas.html)
Questions and answers
How much does the GED cost in Arkansas? It costs $4 per subject at a test center ($16 for all four). Online it costs $36 per subject. These are official fees checked October 26, 2026. Confirm on GED.com before you book.
How old do you have to be to take the GED in Arkansas? The standard minimum age is 18. People as young as 16 may test with approval, such as a waiver and parent consent.
Can I take the GED online in Arkansas? Yes. You need a computer with a webcam, reliable internet, a private room and a green GED Ready score within the last 60 days for each subject.
Do I have to live in Arkansas to take the GED? Yes. You must be a Arkansas resident to test there. Bring proof of where you live if your ID does not show it.
Can I take the GED for free in Arkansas? Yes, for some residents. Arkansas subsidizes in-person testing, so each subject costs $4 at a test center. Scholarships may be available if you qualify. Programs have conditions and funding can run out, so confirm before you book.
What happens if I fail a GED subject in Arkansas? You only retake the subject you did not pass. In person, no wait for your first two retakes; after three attempts, wait 60 days. Online, you get one retake before a 60-day wait.
Data notes
Rules and fees change. Always confirm on GED.com and with your state agency before you book. We checked this data on October 26, 2026.
How we collected it: Each state's GED Testing Service policy page and GED.com's online-testing table, cross-checked against the state education or adult-education agency. Every value is backed by a quote saved from an official page. Where sources disagree, the conflict is listed in plain words with the value we show. Official test fees only; confirm on GED.com before you book.
Next steps
Find your starting point with the free 32-question GEDPilot diagnostic.
Build a week-by-week plan around your job, family and test date.
Try the free sample lesson on number sense, the base for GED Math.
Take GED Ready, the official practice test, and aim for green (145 or higher) before you book.
Plan test day: your ID, arrival time, and test center or online.
Independent preparation materials. Not affiliated with or endorsed by ACE or GED Testing Service. GED is a registered trademark owned by ACE. Practice results do not predict an official GED score, and GEDPilot does not guarantee a passing score.