HiSET vs GED

High School Equivalency tests are the alternative solution for people who haven’t finished their high school education.

In America, adults who have left high school before graduation have another interesting way to earn a secondary education degree. They can earn a high school equivalency credential.

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Today, in America, there are two nationally available High School Equivalency (HSE) tests: the GED and HiSET exams. Both exams assess knowledge and skills at a level comparable to that of high school graduates.

This means that they can take an exam to demonstrate that they have mastered their knowledge and skills at a level comparable to that of high school graduates.

Doing so will help them create better employment options, and the HSE diploma, just like a common High School diploma, also allows for a college education.

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The GED and HiSET are rigorous tests. Both options assess knowledge and skills at a level that compares to that of graduating high school seniors.

How to Prepare for the GED and HiSET Tests

Many students ask us what the fastest way to prepare for the GED or HiSET test is. The simple answer is to take online prep classes, and Onsego has designed one of the best and most affordable programs around.

Attending online GED prep classes allows students to work on their own schedules. This website publishes online GED classes and practice tests, so you can start preparing for the GED and HiSET exams right away.

GED vs HiSET

So, nationwide, there are two high school equivalency exams available in the US: the GED (General Education Development) and HiSET (High School Equivalency Test). The TASC (Test Assessing Secondary Completion) is no longer available.

Once students have successfully completed one of these two exams, their states or jurisdictions will issue their high school equivalency diplomas or certificates.

The GED exam is a computer-based diagnostic test that contains four modules (independent subtests) that cover the academic subject areas of Math, Language, Science, and Social Studies.

The HiSET exam is administered both on paper and on a computer, except in New Jersey and West Virginia, where both exams are administered on a computer only.

The HiSET exam also measures skills and knowledge at the high school graduation level and contains five modules, as writing and reading are separate sections.

Most states still use the GED for their HSE programs, but a number of states made the switch to the HiSET exam, and a number of states offer both options and let students decide which exam they want to take.

Both high school equivalency exams are guarding who qualifies for the tests. The qualification rules are pretty strict and relate to a student’s level of education, age, and residency. In general, applicants need to be at least 16 years old, be officially withdrawn from their schools, and have permission from a parent or guardian.

For both options counts, however, that taking GED practice tests will increase a student’s chances of success!

Institutions of higher education, government organizations, and employers recognize and accept the American HSE diploma in the same way as a regular high school degree.  Let’s take a closer look at the GED and HiSET exams.

The GED Test

The General Educational Development exam, published by GED Testing Service, is the most widely used and best-known HSE test. The cost varies by state, but in general, the cost is around $144 for the entire battery of four individual subtests, though, in some states, the cost is considerably higher or lower.

The GED comes with four separate subtests in the academic fields of Reasoning through Language Arts, Science, Mathematical Reasoning, and Social Studies. The subtests take between 70 and 150 minutes to complete. Test-takers must, on each GED section, attain a 145 score on a scale that runs from 100 to 200.

Some states require state residency, and test-takers must be at least 16 years of age and not hold a high school degree or be signed up for another educational program. For 16- and 17-year-olds, and in some states for 18-year-olds as well, additional requirements apply. All these requirements also apply to the HiSET exam. As said earlier, the GED is available only in a computer-based format.

GED testing includes various types of questions such as multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, draggable, and short-answer, and students must also write an essay (extended response).

Most states administer the GED exam. The following states, however, do NOT USE the GED test: Iowa (HiSET) and Maine (HiSET).

The HiSET Test

The HiSET (short for “High School Equivalency Test”) has been available since early 2014. This HSE exam, like the other options, covers academic fields that are taught in high school. The minimum required age for this exam is also usually 16, though for applicants 16 and 17 years old, specific requirements apply.

The HiSET exam has five testing fields: Language Reading, Language Writing, Math, Social Studies, and Science. All five subtests include multiple-choice questions or require essay-style answers. The subtests may also be taken separately and will take between 65 and 120 minutes each to complete.

On the HiSET exam, test-takers need to reach an overall score of at least 45 out of a possible 100. Students must attain at least an 8-score (out of 20) on each of the 5 subtests, and their essay score cannot be under a 2 (out of a possible six).

Except for the essay part, the HiSET contains only multiple-choice questions. Many answer options include negative words like “least” or “except,” so test-takers will be prompted to identify which answer is incorrect. When you study to get used to multiple-choice questions, be sure you can distinguish between “good answers” and “the best answers.”

The HiSET is a relatively new test (introduced in 2014), whereas the GED test was created in 1942 and was taken by more than 20 million people in 80 years.

Although the GED exam remains the most popular test, the HiSET exam is being recognized as perhaps the least challenging of the two assessments.

Currently, there are 24 states that offer students the possibility of taking the HiSET test, often alongside the GED exam, though not all testing centers are providing both tests. Please get informed to avoid disappointment.

How to Make the Most of Online GED Prep

Don’t simply watch hours of video lessons without taking practice test questions. You will quickly forget what you’ve learned unless you take practice test questions to back up those concepts. For instance, when you’ve watched the Climate video lessons, make sure you complete the practice test that accompanies that module.

The GED college-ready and college-ready PLUS college credit scores (165-174 and 175-200 respectively) qualify test-takers directly for signing up for credit-bearing college courses without having to take additional remedial coursework after earning a GED or passing a college entrance exam such as the SAT or ACT at an increasing number of colleges and universities.

Who Qualifies for GED Testing?

The two nationally available American High School Equivalency exams are geared toward all adults who, for one reason or another, were not in the position to finish their regular high school curriculum.

Applicants cannot already have a secondary degree (high school or equivalent diploma) or be registered for some other school program. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve quit high school recently or that it has been many years since you quit school. The HSE exam is for everyone who doesn’t hold a high school diploma.

Requirements vary by state, but in general, applicants must be 16 years of age or older. Test-takers are considered “underage” when they are 16 or 17 years old (in most states), and for these students, extra requirements apply.

Organizations behind the GED and HiSET Exams

The GED exam was created by the American Council of Education (ACE) in cooperation with PearsonVUE, a major publisher of educational resources. The GED and HiSET are state-specific exams, and qualification requirements vary slightly by individual state.

The HiSET exam was developed by Educational Testing Service (ETS), a nonprofit organization that promotes equity and quality in education for all. ETS provides innovative solutions to improve learning and teaching and expand educational opportunities. Today, the HiSET exam is owned and published by PSI.

Residency Requirements

There are states that subsidize GED or HiSET testing. In general, these states allow testing only for state residents. Most states that do not subsidize HSE testing are not requiring test-takers to be state residents. Check here for residency and age requirements in your state.

States that require test-takers to be residents are

  • Wisconsin
  • West Virginia
  • Washington
  • Texas
  • South Carolina
  • Rhode Island
  • Pennsylvania
  • Nevada
  • New York
  • New Jersey
  • New Hampshire
  • Montana
  • Missouri
  • Massachusetts
  • Maryland
  • Maine
  • Kentucky
  • Indiana
  • Illinois
  • Delaware
  • Connecticut
  • California
  • Arkansas
  • The District of Columbia also requires residency

GED and HiSET Diplomas Guarantee Better Job Options

The fact of the matter is that quite a few students who quit high school or college prematurely are having a hard time securing a decent job nowadays. Unemployment figures are showing that over 15 percent of all unemployed persons do not have a high school or equivalent diploma while, at the same time, just under 5 percent of all college grads were not able to find a suitable job.

Holding a high school diploma is a prerequisite for practically all professional positions and postsecondary educational options. For most jobs, you must at least hold a high school diploma, and if you want to enroll in college, the credential is required as well.

The fact of the matter is, though, that not everyone was in the position to finish their regular high school education, and high school equivalency (HSE) tests are bridging that gap and offering adults without a common HS diploma one more shot at securing a credential (GED) that’s accepted in lieu of a high school diploma.

High school equivalency tests measure students’ skills and knowledge at a level that is comparable to that of graduating high school seniors. Both the GED and HiSET are available in English and Spanish and occasionally as well in French and Braille.

For some seven decades, the GED exam had been the only available HSE exam in North America, but that changed in 2014. In that year, two alternative options were introduced, the HiSET and TASC exams, giving students more opportunities to demonstrate their skills and knowledge level. In 2021, however, the TASC exam was discontinued.

Online Testing

The GED and HiSET exams are now also available in an online format.

The GED exam is a set of four subject tests that, when taken successfully, certify that the holder has academic skills and knowledge at the level of a high school graduate. The HiSET exam has five subject tests. The HSE is for people who are no longer at the appropriate age for enrolling in high school.

If you don’t have a high school diploma, finding a reasonably-paying job will be hard. Today, practically all entry-level positions require at least a high school or equivalent degree.

People with a secondary education degree will make at least $9,900 more annually than individuals who don’t hold the credential.

If you want to enroll in college courses or attend some other form of postsecondary education, holding a high school or equivalent diploma is required, and lacking the degree puts limits on your earnings potential.

In the United States, we can find more than 30 million adults who never finished high school, but they still have a chance to advance their academic education and work toward a rewarding career by earning a high school equivalency diploma.

Estimates are that more than 40 percent of adults who earn their GED (General Educational Development) diploma continue their education in some sort of postsecondary education program, which will guide them toward higher earnings and better career options.

Last Updated on October 13, 2024.