If you are at least 18 years of age you may enroll into the Adult GED Preparation Program at College of the Desert.
After your application has been processed, you will receive an email containing your unique College of the Desert student ID number and student portal login credentials. All students are admitted to College of the Desert after an admissions application has been submitted.
Returning students who have attended COD within the year do not need to reapply.
All communications with students will be through the free COD student email address. All new students are required to have their MyCOD email account activated.
Orientation is mandatory for all new students. The online orientation is available through your MyCOD student portal dashboard.
Register for classes through your Self-Service portal on or after the priority registration date.
Pay fees through your Self-Service portal by selecting Financial Information>Student Finance>Make A Payment.
Students are financially responsible for classes in which they enroll. Students are also responsible for dropping courses they are not attending.
Students enrolled in the GED preparation course will have access to study tools and content through their MyCOD student portal. You will be able to monitor your progress through each subject as you work through the course.
Students who have completed the GED preparation course or feel ready to take the exam may sign up for testing through the GED website. You can take the exam either from the comfort of your own home or at a secure testing site.
The minimum age requirement to take the GED test is 18 unless you meet any one of the additional requirements:
If you are underage, you must meet one of the following additional requirements:
For those testing on the Online Exam:
No, you are not required to take a class before taking the GED test. However, instruction prior to testing is a benefit to test takers.
Listed below are the mandatory student fees:
Some class textbooks are provided electronically and free of charge.
If you wish to purchase your own, the instructor can provide you with information to purchase books.
**AB 1504 gives students the opportunity to opt out of the Student Representation Fee ($2.00). To opt out please complete the form by the listed date.
Each students' timeline varies. GED Preparation students work at their own pace and schedule.
The total time of the GED test is 7 ½ hours.
The GED test is comprised of four subjects:
Reasoning through Language Arts: 3 sections (150 minutes)
Mathematical Reasoning: 1 section 2 parts (115 minutes)
Social Studies: 2 sections (90 minutes)
Science (1 section - total 90 minutes)
Starting July 1, 2023, California charges $41 per subject for the GED test.