High School

Thinking About Getting a GED? Ask Yourself These 5 Questions First

Are you thinking about getting your GED? Ask yourself these questions before committing to determine if this route is right for you.

Chris Schumacher

Oct 29, 2026

8 min read

Jump to

Reviewed by Brian Brown, Academic Manager at Penn Foster Group.

We follow strict quality and ethics policies to make sure our content is honest, accurate, and helpful. Learn more about our editorial guidelines.

Key takeaways

Getting a GED starts with figuring out which path fits you best. Consider your future goals, learning style, schedule, timeline, and what "finishing high school" really means to you. Your answers can point you toward the GED test, an accredited high school diploma program, or another option. There's no universally right answer, only the one that fits your goals.

A GED is earned through testing, while a high school diploma is earned through completing coursework, often over a longer timeline.
Most people prepare for and complete the GED in a few months, though timelines vary based on starting skill level and study time.
Most colleges accept a GED for admission, though it's worth checking the specific requirements of the schools you're considering.

Why are so many adults searching how to get a GED?

If you're reading this, there's a good chance you already know you want to finish your high school education. What you might not know yet is which path makes the most sense for your life right now.

That's a completely normal place to be. Plenty of adults start their search assuming a GED is the only route to go. But the GED is just one option among several ways to show you've met high-school-level academic standards. A high school diploma program is another.

Before comparing the details of each path, it helps to ask yourself a few honest questions. Your answers can point you in a direction that actually fits your life, rather than the direction that happens to rank first in a search result.

1. What are you actually trying to accomplish?

This is the question worth answering first, because everything else builds on it.

Are you hoping to qualify for a specific job? Apply to college? Set an example for your kids? Simply close a chapter that's been left open for years? Each of these goals is valid, and each might point you toward a slightly different path.

If a specific employer or program has stated credential requirements, it's worth checking those requirements directly.
If college is part of the plan, most colleges accept a GED for admission, though some programs have specific preferences worth confirming ahead of time. Our guide on how to apply to college after high school walks through what that process typically looks like.
If the goal is more personal, like proving to yourself and/or your family members you can do it, either path can offer that sense of completion.

There's no wrong answer here. But naming the goal out loud, even just to yourself, makes the rest of the decision much easier.

2. How do you learn best?

Some people do their best studying with a stack of practice tests and a quiet weekend. Others need more structure: assigned coursework, a clear syllabus, and a sense of steady progress from one unit to the next.

The GED test is built around independent study and testing. You often prepare on your own timeline, then sit for exams across four subjects. There are, however, GED prep courses you can take. A high school diploma program, by contrast, usually involves working through a structured curriculum, course by course, with more support along the way.

Both options are valid, but being honest about how you learn can save you a lot of frustration down the road.

3. What does your schedule actually look like?

Life doesn't pause while you're figuring out your education. Work shifts, childcare, caregiving, and everyday responsibilities all take up real time and energy.

It's worth taking a thorough look at your week. How many hours can you realistically set aside for studying? Is your schedule fairly predictable, or does it change often? Do you have people in your life who can support you, even in small ways, while you're working toward this goal?

This isn't about finding extra hours that don't exist. It's about understanding what's realistic, so whatever path you choose actually fits into your life instead of competing with it.

4. What is a realistic timeline for you?

Timelines matter, but they look different for everyone.

Many people prepare for and complete the GED in a few months, depending on their starting skill level and how much time they can study each week. A high school diploma program, since it involves full coursework, can run longer.

Penn Foster High School, for example, is an online, self-paced high school diploma program. The average timeframe for students in this program to finish is about 14 months, though it's possible to take less or more time.*

Neither timeline is inherently better. What matters is whether the pace fits your life right now, not someone else's.

5. What does "finishing high school" mean to you?

This question might take some self-reflection, but it is an important one.

For some people, finishing high school is a practical step toward a job or college application. For others, it's about closing a loop that's been open for years, maybe since a life event pulled them away from school the first time around.

Both are good reasons. But how you answer this question can shape which path feels more meaningful, not just more convenient. A GED can be a quicker way to earn this credential. A diploma program can take longer, since it usually involves taking all the traditional high school courses plus electives. One might fit into your life better than the other.

Monet Carter, Penn Foster 2025 Graduate of the Year, felt getting her diploma was what she needed to reach her goals. "I feel like the biggest thing that was standing in my way to get to my goal—because I didn’t even have a career plan at first—was getting my diploma. It really did hinder me a lot. It was hard to get jobs and there was a lack of work experience. It was really hard to do things in my life without it. So it really helped me to reach my goals. Now I can actually go to college and become an EMT."

So which path fits you?

There's no universal answer here, which is why asking these questions can help point you in the direction that's right for you.

If your goal is speed and independent study feels comfortable, the GED test might be the more natural fit. If you'd rather work through entire courses at your own pace, with more support, an accredited high school diploma program might make more sense.

If your answers point toward the diploma route, Penn Foster High School offers a self-paced option with all the subjects you'd expect from high school, like English, math, science, and social studies, as well as elective courses that could be career-focused or more personal interest-focused. There are also instructors available if you need help on your coursework.

The program can work well for people managing full lives outside of school. It includes digital study material, self-check quizzes, and educational videos, with no required exam due dates, so students can move through coursework as their schedule allows.

If you want to weigh a GED and a diploma program side by side in more detail, including cost, timeline, and how each is viewed by employers and colleges, the GED vs. High School Diploma comparison guide walks through those specifics and can help you make an informed decision.

Frequently asked questions about the GED vs a Diploma

What are the differences between a GED and a high school diploma?

A GED is earned through testing, while a high school diploma is earned through completing coursework. Most colleges accept a GED for admission, though specific requirements can vary.

Read more: High School Diploma vs GED

How long does it typically take to complete a GED compared to a high school diploma?

Most people prepare for and complete the GED in a few months, whereas a high school diploma program, which involves full coursework, can take longer.

What should I consider when choosing between a GED and a high school diploma?

Consider your goals, schedule, and learning style. The time you can dedicate weekly and what finishing high school personally means to you play a role in determining which path is better suited for you.

What financial considerations are there when enrolling in a high school diploma program?

Cost can be significant, but many programs, like Penn Foster High School, offer payment plans to manage expenses. It's a good idea to check for additional costs like taxes and compare with other options.

What's a good next step?

Deciding how to finish high school doesn't have to happen all at once. It can help to start with the questions above, notice which answers keep repeating, and let that guide the next move. If your goals point toward an accredited diploma path, consider requesting information for the Penn Foster High School Diploma Program.

*The estimated completion times are based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from prior enrollment periods, excluding withdrawals.