The GED test consists of four subjects: Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA), Social Studies, and Science. Each subject is scored on a scale from 100 to 200, making 164 a strong performance in any individual module.
Official GED Score Levels
- 100–144: Below Passing (does not meet high school equivalency)
- 145–164: GED Passing Score / High School Equivalency
- 165–174: GED College Ready
- 175–200: GED College Ready + Credit (may earn college credits at participating schools)
A 164 means you’ve passed the subject and demonstrated high school equivalency-level skills. It’s just 1 point shy of the College Ready benchmark (165+), showing you’re very close to being prepared for credit-bearing college courses without remediation.
What 164 Represents
- Percentile: Roughly the top 20–25% of graduating high school seniors (varies slightly by subject and year).
- Skills: You’ve mastered core concepts and can apply them in real-world contexts.
- Next Steps: Retaking the subject for 165+ can unlock college credit at over 98% of U.S. colleges that accept GED College Ready scores.
Example
If you scored 164 in RLA, you passed, but scoring 165+ could waive freshman English at many schools.
Tip: Check your state’s GED transcript for exact percentile rankings and college credit policies. Retesting is allowed after 60 days if aiming for 165+.