A high school equivalency credential is a legally recognized alternative to a traditional high school diploma, earned by passing a standardized exam that measures secondary-level academic skills. Most employers, colleges, and government agencies treat it the same as a diploma for hiring, admissions, and licensing. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management, for example, accepts it as meeting the education requirement for federal civil service positions at the GS-2 level and above.1U.S. Office of Personnel Management. General Schedule Qualification Standards Which specific exam you take depends on the state you live in.
The Two Exams You Can Take
State boards of education authorize either the GED (General Educational Development) test, the HiSET (High School Equivalency Test), or both. Check your state’s education agency website to see which is offered where you live.
The GED is a computer-based exam with four subject tests. It is the more widely available of the two and offers online proctored testing in many states, letting you sit for it at home under webcam supervision.2GED. Take the GED Test Online The HiSET has five subtests and frequently offers both computer-based and paper-and-pencil formats, which suits test-takers who prefer working on paper.3HiSET. HiSET Exam Requirements by State or Jurisdiction
Who Qualifies to Test
Eligibility rules vary by state, but the core requirements are consistent:
- Age: most states require you to be at least 18. Applicants aged 16 or 17 can sometimes test, but they typically need official withdrawal documentation and signed parental consent.4GED. State Information for Online Testing
- Enrollment status: you cannot be currently enrolled in high school or required to be enrolled under your state’s compulsory attendance law.
- No existing diploma: you cannot already hold a high school diploma or equivalency credential from a U.S. school.
- Residency: you need proof of residency in the state where you plan to test. There is generally no minimum length-of-residency requirement.
Some states add their own conditions, such as required preparation hours before you can schedule. Verify with your state’s testing authority before you register.
What the Tests Cover
Both exams cover similar academic ground but organize it differently. The GED groups everything into four subject tests. The HiSET splits language arts into two separate subtests for five total.
GED Subject Tests
The GED covers four subjects, each timed separately:5GED. Test Subjects
- Mathematical Reasoning, 115 minutes: basic math, geometry, algebra, and interpreting graphs. An onscreen TI-30XS calculator is available for the second portion, and you may bring a physical TI-30XS to a test center.
- Reasoning Through Language Arts, 150 minutes: reading comprehension, grammar, argument analysis, and a 45-minute written essay. A 10-minute break falls between parts two and three.
- Social Studies, 70 minutes: civics, government, U.S. history, economics, and geography.
- Science, 90 minutes: life science, physical science, and earth science, with emphasis on interpreting experiments and data.
Total seat time across the four subjects runs about seven hours, but you do not have to take them all in one day.
HiSET Subtests
The HiSET spreads the material across five subtests:6HiSET. HiSET Test at a Glance Information Brief
- Language Arts – Reading, 65 minutes.
- Language Arts – Writing, 120 minutes, including an essay scored separately.
- Mathematics, 90 minutes.
- Science, 80 minutes.
- Social Studies, 70 minutes.
What Counts as Passing
The two exams use different scoring scales, so the numbers do not translate directly.
GED Scores
Each GED subject test is scored from 100 to 200. You need at least a 145 on each to pass. The GED also recognizes higher tiers that can shorten your path through college:7GED. Understanding Your Scores
- Passing, 145 to 164: equivalent to a high school diploma.
- College Ready, 165 to 174: many colleges will waive placement tests or remedial coursework at this level.
- College Ready + Credit, 175 to 200: may qualify you for actual college credit, up to 3 credits each in math, science, and social studies, and 1 credit in humanities, depending on the institution.
If you are already scoring well on practice tests, pushing for 165 or higher can save you a semester of remedial classes.
HiSET Scores
Each HiSET subtest is scored from 1 to 20. You need at least an 8 on every subtest and a combined total of at least 45 across all five. The Writing subtest carries an additional requirement: your essay must score at least a 2 out of 6.8HiSET. Get Your Scores and Credentials Some states impose stricter requirements on top of these minimums, such as a civics exam or higher subtest scores.
Registering and Paying
You register through the test provider’s online portal: ged.com for the GED and myHiSET at hiset.org for the HiSET. Create an account, provide personal information, and be ready to present a valid government-issued ID such as a driver’s license or passport. You will also pick a testing center or, for the GED, choose the online proctored option if your state offers it.
Fees vary by state because of local subsidies and test center charges. The GED’s base cost runs $30 to $40 per subject, or roughly $120 to $160 for all four.9GED. How Much Does Getting a GED Cost? Fees, Courses, and Materials HiSET pricing also varies by state, with some jurisdictions adding test center or administrative surcharges. A handful of states subsidize or waive fees entirely for certain populations, including homeless youth and foster youth.
You pay per subject, not for the whole battery at once. If you fail one subject and pass the others, you only pay to retake the one you missed.
How to Prepare
Free preparation is widely available. Most states fund adult education programs through local community colleges or literacy centers where you can attend GED or HiSET prep classes at no cost. These programs are typically funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and are open to any adult without a diploma.
Both providers also sell official practice tests. For the GED, the “GED Ready” practice test is more than a study tool. If you plan to test online from home, you must score “green” (likely to pass) on the GED Ready within the past 60 days for each subject before you can schedule the online version.2GED. Take the GED Test Online It carries a small fee, but it is a reliable predictor of readiness.
Accommodations for Disabilities
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, testing organizations must provide reasonable accommodations so the exam measures your knowledge rather than your disability. Accommodations can include extended time, a distraction-free room, large-print materials, screen-reading technology, a scribe, wheelchair-accessible stations, and permission to bring medications.10ADA.gov. ADA Requirements: Testing Accommodations
To request accommodations on the HiSET, submit an online request through your myHiSET account before scheduling. The request must include a letter from a medical professional or learning specialist on official letterhead, describing your disability, the specific limitations it creates during testing, and the recommended accommodation. The letter needs the specialist’s original signature, name, title, and phone number.11HiSET. HiSET Test Accommodations Incomplete documentation delays the process and can result in denial. The GED follows a similar process through its own portal.
Test Day Rules
At a Testing Center
Arrive well before your scheduled start time. Staff will verify your ID against your registration, and you will store personal belongings in a locker or designated area before entering the proctored room. No phones, smartwatches, or unauthorized materials are permitted. For the GED math section you may bring a handheld TI-30XS calculator, and an onscreen version is also available. You submit your responses electronically before leaving.
Online Proctored Testing (GED Only)
The GED offers remote testing in many states, monitored by a live proctor through your webcam. The requirements are strict:2GED. Take the GED Test Online
- A computer with a working webcam and reliable internet. Run the system test beforehand.
- A private, walled room with a closed door. No one else can enter once the exam begins.
- Phones, headphones, watches, and Bluetooth devices out of reach.
- No physical calculator, scratch paper, or notes. Use the onscreen calculator, scratch pad, and whiteboard.
- No food, gum, or smoking. No speaking aloud or covering your mouth.
- Touchscreen features on laptops must be disabled.
- You must be physically located in the United States.
Breaking any of these rules results in your exam being revoked, loss of your testing fee, and a potential ban from future testing. Some people find a test center less stressful than trying to meet the online environment requirements.
If You Do Not Pass
Failing a subject test is common, and you only retake the ones you did not pass. Passing scores on subjects you have cleared do not expire while the current edition of the exam remains in use.
For the GED at a test center, retesting policies vary by state. For online GED testing, if you fail the same subject twice you must wait 60 days before scheduling another online attempt.2GED. Take the GED Test Online
For the HiSET, you can reschedule 24 hours after a failed attempt. You get two free retakes within 12 months of your original subtest purchase, for a maximum of three attempts per subtest per calendar year.12HiSET. Test Taker Bulletin After that, you would purchase the subtest again.
Getting Your Credential and Using It
Scores on computer-based tests are typically available within a few hours. Essay components may take several additional days for manual grading. Once you have passed every subject, your state’s department of education issues an official diploma or transcript, usually delivered electronically or by mail within two to four weeks.
Federal Employment
The Office of Personnel Management treats HSE credentials as equivalent to a diploma for federal hiring. For clerical, administrative, and technical support positions, a diploma or its equivalent qualifies you at the GS-2 entry level. The Pathways Internship Program also accepts a completed GED for GS-2 positions.1U.S. Office of Personnel Management. General Schedule Qualification Standards
College Admissions and Financial Aid
Nearly all community colleges and most four-year institutions accept HSE credentials for admissions. A GED score in the College Ready range (165 or above) will lead some schools to waive placement testing.7GED. Understanding Your Scores
For federal financial aid, an HSE credential makes you eligible for Pell Grants, federal student loans, and other Title IV aid the same way a diploma would. Even if you have not earned your credential yet, the “Ability to Benefit” provision allows students without a diploma or equivalency to receive federal aid if they are enrolled in an eligible career pathway program and either pass an approved aptitude test or complete at least six credit hours toward a degree or certificate.13Federal Student Aid Partners. Ability to Benefit State Process and Eligible Career Pathway Programs
Vocational Licensing
Many state licensing boards for trades like cosmetology, commercial driving, and emergency medical services require a high school diploma or equivalent as a baseline qualification. An HSE credential satisfies that requirement in virtually every case. Check your specific licensing board if you are pursuing a regulated profession.