HiSET

Overview

The HiSET (High School Equivalency Test) is a US high-school-equivalency exam developed and administered by ETS (Educational Testing Service). It is an alternative to the GED for adults who did not complete a traditional high school diploma. Passing the full HiSET battery earns a state-issued high school equivalency credential, which US employers and colleges treat the same way as a regular high school diploma. HiSET is offered in roughly two dozen US states and territories rather than nationwide; a state must adopt HiSET as one of its recognised equivalency tests, and some states (for example New Jersey and Tennessee) use HiSET exclusively while others let candidates choose between HiSET and the GED.

Who can apply

HiSET is for adults who have not completed high school and do not hold a high school diploma or equivalency credential already. Each state sets its own eligibility rules, but common requirements are:

• A minimum age, usually 18. Several states allow candidates as young as 16 or 17 with extra conditions, such as school-withdrawal documentation or a signed age waiver.

• State residency or enrollment in that state's adult-education system, depending on the state.

• Not currently enrolled in a regular high school program (state rules vary on this).

Because requirements differ by state, candidates should check their own state's HiSET page before registering.

Exam pattern

The HiSET battery has five subtests, each timed separately. Four are entirely multiple-choice; Language Arts – Writing also includes a scored essay.

Combined, the five subtests run to roughly 7 hours of testing time. HiSET is offered in both computer-based and paper-based formats, and subtests can be taken individually and in any order rather than all in one sitting.

Marking and results

Each subtest is scored on a scale of 1 to 20. To pass the full HiSET battery, a candidate must meet all of the following:

• A minimum score of 8 on each of the five individual subtests.

• A minimum score of 2 out of 6 on the Language Arts – Writing essay.

• A combined total score of at least 45 across all five subtests.

A score of 15 or higher on a subtest is reported separately as meeting "college and career readiness" on that subtest. Some states add their own extra requirements on top of these national minimums, so candidates should also check their state's specific passing rules.

Important dates

HiSET is not administered on fixed national test dates. It is offered year-round at approved testing centers (and in some states, remotely), and candidates schedule each subtest individually through their chosen test center once they are registered and eligible. Availability, specific test dates and seat capacity depend on the test center and state, so candidates should check their local center's calendar when registering.

Fees

HiSET fees are set by each state and test center rather than nationally, and they can include a per-subtest fee plus a separate test-center administration fee. Reported 2026 full-battery (all five subtests) costs range from roughly $90 to$115 depending on the state, with individual subtest fees commonly in the $20–$30 range. Fees, state subsidies and voucher programs vary widely by state, so candidates should confirm current pricing with their state's HiSET program or test center before registering.

How to apply

1. Check state eligibility rules (age, residency and any other state-specific requirements) on the official HiSET site or the state's adult-education/workforce agency.

2. Create an account and register through the official HiSET registration process, choosing a test center and computer-based or paper-based format where both are offered.

3. Pay the applicable subtest and administration fees, or confirm any state voucher or subsidy that covers them.

4. Schedule and take each of the five subtests; subtests can be spread across multiple appointments rather than completed in one visit.

After the exam

A candidate who meets the passing requirements on all five subtests receives a state-issued high school equivalency diploma or certificate. This credential is used the same way as a high school diploma: to apply to colleges and training programs, to meet job requirements that call for a high school education, and to enlist in the military. Candidates who do not pass a subtest can retake it; HiSET fees typically include two free retakes of a given subtest within 12 months of the original attempt, with a limit of three attempts (the original plus two retakes) on the same subtest within that period. State-specific waiting periods or extra fees for retakes may apply.

Preparation tips

• Use ETS's official HiSET practice materials and sample questions to learn the format and timing of each subtest before scheduling it.

• Take subtests in an order that plays to strengths and builds confidence, since they can be scheduled individually rather than all at once.

• Practise full-length, timed essay writing for the Language Arts – Writing subtest, since it is the only subtest with a written-response component.

• Review basic mathematics, grammar, and science and social-studies content typically covered in a US high-school curriculum, since the subtests are built around that level of knowledge.

• Confirm state-specific passing requirements and any additional state rules before test day, since some states set requirements beyond the national minimums.

FAQs