To take the GED in South Dakota, you must be at least 18, or 16 with approval. It costs $50 per subject at a test center, and online testing costs $50 per subject. You do not have to live in South Dakota to test. Confirm on GED.com before you book.
Key facts
Standard age (16 with approval): 18
Test center, per subject: $50
Online, per subject: $50
Residency required: No
How much does the GED cost in South Dakota?
At a test center, the GED costs $50 per subject in South Dakota.
Online, it costs $50 per subject.
A discounted retake at a test center costs $20 per subject.
We did not find a state program that pays the test fee.
More detail: A discounted in-person retake costs a $20 test center fee. Online retakes cost $50.
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 South Dakota?
The standard minimum age to take the GED in South Dakota is 18.
Younger people may be able to test from age 16 with approval.
Rules for younger test takers: At 16 or 17 you can test through a school program, with a waiver your school district files, or through alternative instruction, with forms your parent files. 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 South Dakota to take the GED?
No. You do not have to live in South Dakota to take the GED there.
You do not need to live in South Dakota to test there.
Can you take the GED online in South Dakota?
Yes. Online testing from home is available in South Dakota for $50 per subject.
Details: Online testing is open from age 16. You need a green GED Ready score within the last 60 days for each subject.
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 South Dakota?
In South Dakota: 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 South Dakota require?
South Dakota does not require GED Ready to book at a test center. You do need a green GED Ready score to test online. Taking it anyway is a good way to check that you are ready.
You must not be enrolled in a school district or already have a high school diploma.
Bring a non-expired, government-issued photo ID on test day (GED.com).
What is the GED credential called in South Dakota?
When you pass, South Dakota issues the GED Certificate.
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 South Dakota rules?
Check two places before you book: the South Dakota state agency and the South Dakota page on GED.com. When they disagree, ask the state agency.
"You must be 18 years old to test in South Dakota." (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-dakota.html)
"You must be enrolled in a South Dakota school district or have filed an Alternative Instruction Notification with the South Dakota Department of Education." (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-dakota.html)
"You do not need to be a resident to test in South Dakota." (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-dakota.html)
"South Dakota charges $50 per subject for the GED® test at a Test Center." (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-dakota.html)
"South Dakota charges $50 per subject for the GED ® test taken online." (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-dakota.html)
"*In South Dakota, there is a $20 test center fee for GED® test retakes" (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-dakota.html)
"The Online Proctored Exam costs $50 for a retake in South Dakota." (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-dakota.html)
"In South Dakota, there is no waiting period for your first two retakes." (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-dakota.html)
"Yes, you are required to take the GED Ready ® practice test before taking the official GED ® test online." (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-dakota.html)
"You must score “green” in the GED ® Ready ® practice test within the last 60 days for each test subject you want to take online." (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-dakota.html)
"In South Dakota the credential is called the GED ® Certificate." (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-dakota.html)
"is recognized as the official high school equivalency credential in South Dakota." (https://doe.sd.gov/ged/)
"Anyone over the age of 18 who is not currently enrolled in an accredited school district or who has not already earned their high school diploma is eligible to take the GED ® Test in South Dakota." (https://doe.sd.gov/ged/)
"students who are at least 16 years old, MAY be eligible to take the GED ® Test as a part of an IN-SCHOOL or school sponsored program if one of the following conditions is met:" (https://doe.sd.gov/ged/)
"The parent/guardian MUST file the Alternative Instruction Notification Form with the Department of Education." (https://doe.sd.gov/ged/)
"Parents MUST submit the Alternative Instruction Underage GED ® Waiver Form ." (https://doe.sd.gov/ged/)
"A parent or guardian must be present at the pre-test check-in to give consent and authorize the underage tester to be recorded during testing." (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-dakota.html)
"The Online Proctored Exam allows for one retake before a 60 day waiting period." (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-dakota.html)
"After taking a test subject 3 times, you’ll have to wait 60 days before retesting. There’s no limit to how many times you can test in a year." (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-dakota.html)
"After passing the GED ® test, you will automatically receive one free electronic diploma, one free electronic transcript." (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-dakota.html)
"The In-School Underage GED ® Testing Waiver Form should be submitted by the school district" (https://doe.sd.gov/ged/)
"The parent or guardian gives permission for their child to participate in a school-based high school equivalency preparation program." (https://doe.sd.gov/ged/)
"The child's school verifies the child will not graduate with the student's cohort class because of credit deficiency." (https://doe.sd.gov/ged/)
"The child has been court ordered or has authorization from a court services officer to take the exams." (https://doe.sd.gov/ged/)
"The child is under the direction of the Department of Corrections." (https://doe.sd.gov/ged/)
"The child is enrolled in an approve Job Corps program." (https://doe.sd.gov/ged/)
"In South Dakota, if you are 16-17, to take the GED" (https://www.ged.com/policies/south-dakota.html)
Questions and answers
How much does the GED cost in South Dakota? It costs $50 per subject at a test center. Online it costs $50 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 South Dakota? 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 South Dakota? 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 South Dakota to take the GED? No. South Dakota does not require residency to take the GED. Check the residency section for any conditions on the credential.
What happens if I fail a GED subject in South Dakota? 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.