GED In Illinois

Last Updated on April 10, 2024.

In Illinois, GED hopefuls have the option to take the four GED subtests online or at one of the state’s designated testing facilities. Registration must be done online at GED.com or hiset.org.

Best GED Classes offers free online GED classes and practice tests to help applicants discover if learning with online lessons is right for them. Our free resources allow you to determine if online learning is good for you.

if that’s the case, switch to Onsego GED Prep, a full-scale course that will give everything to pass the GED or HiSET exam fast.

Illinois uses two options for high school equivalency testing: the GED and the HiSET. The HiSET exam is also available in an online format.

The exams give persons without a high school diploma a chance to acquire an equivalent diploma. Upon successful completion, test-takers will receive a high school diploma.

Both options measure academic proficiency at a level comparable to that of high school graduates. This page shows all Illinois GED testing locations.

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The GED® must be taken on a computer, while the HiSET® can be done both on a computer and on paper.

The GED contains four separate tests (modules) that can be taken individually and in any preferred order, and this page shows you how to get your GED in Illinois.

The four GED subtests are in the fields of

  • Social Studies
  • Mathematical Reasoning
  • Reasoning through Language Arts
  • Science

The HiSET has five subtests (Language has separate reading and writing tests) that may also be taken individually.

Illinois also requires GED Illinois test-takers to pass the state’s U.S. Constitution Test.

Illinois GED Testing Requirements

  • The minimum age in Illinois is 18, though 17-year-olds may qualify as well if they meet some additional criteria. See your nearest testing site.
  • Applicants 16 years of age cannot take the GED test unless they are enrolled in an Alternative Learning Opportunities Program, a Regional Safe Schools Program, or are signed up for the Lincoln Challenge Academy. The programs are required to petition on applicants’ behalf for them to be approved for GED testing.
  • In Illinois, you MUST be a state resident.
  • You cannot already have a high school degree, and you don’t attend another educational program.
  • There is no requirement to first take the GED Ready® or another practice test, except when the exam is taken online.
  • GED applicants must pass the U.S. and Illinois Constitution Test. The constitution test is offered for free and can be taken at an Illinois Regional Office of Education and also at some of the state’s adult education programs.

GED Prep Classes in Illinois

You can prepare for the GED Illinois test by studying online, or you may want to choose a traditional GED prep class in your area. For all options, choose your city or a city near you.

The GED credential is recognized as equivalent to a high school diploma by recruiters, government agencies, and colleges all across the United States. Now, students who pass the GED exam in Illinois receive an Illinois High School Diploma.

Passing the GED exam is important for individuals who, for whatever reason, never finished high school and gives them a second chance to obtain an equivalent diploma. The GED exam gives them a chance to get a job, improve their current employment, and get a college education.

Reduced Fees

Recently, the Illinois College Board has increased GED testing discounts to encourage more Illinoisans to earn their secondary education degrees. The total costs of the  GED test were reduced to $40 for testing in a test center and $56 for the online GED test. To reduce the cost of the four GED subtests, testers can use the code ILSAVE20 when checking out, but now, GED testers can take the exam for free as well in Illinois.

Free GED Testing in Illinois

Illinois’ Community College Board additionally announced that they will cover the full cost of the GED test for successful testers. To benefit from this offer, testers can use the code ILSAVE upon registration.

Illinois GED Testing Centers

Addison
College of DuPage (GED) – 301 S Swift Rd – Addison – IL 60101 – Ph: (630) 942.4650
Atkinson
ROE-Henry & Stark (GED, HiSET) – 107 S State St – Atkinson – IL 61235 – Ph: (309) 936.7890
Aurora
Waubonsee Comm. Coll. (GED) – 18 S River St – Aurora – IL 60506 – Ph: (630) 466.5700
American Business Coll. (HiSET) – 1731 N Farnsworth Ave – Aurora – IL 60506 – Ph: (773) 417.4900
Belleville
SWIC Belleville (GED, HiSET) – 2500 Carlyle Ave – Belleville – IL 62221 – Ph: (618) 222.5677 or (618) 222.5462
Bloomington
ROE #17 (HiSET) – 201 E Grove St – Suite 300 – 200 W Front St – Bloomington -IL 61701 – Ph: (309) 828.8807
Bolingbrook
Icon Systems (GED) – 340 Quadrangle Dr (Ste A) – Bolingbrook – IL 60440 – Ph: (630) 770.6006
Canton
ROE #26-Canton (GED) – 735 E Locust St – Canton – IL 61520 – Ph: (309) 575.3226
Carbondale
Southern IL University (GED) – 605 Agriculture Dr – Carbondale – IL 62901 – Ph: (618) 453.6003
Carlinville
Carlinville ROE #40 (GED) – 227 E 1st S St – Carlinville – IL 62626 – Ph: (217) 854.4016
Carol Stream
Coll. of DuPage-Carol Stream (GED, HiSET) – 500 Kuhn Rd – Carol Stream – IL 60188 – Ph: (630) 942.4900/3202
Centralia
Kaskaskia College (GED, HiSET) – 27210 College Rd – Centralia – IL 62801 – Ph: (618) 545.3160/3070
Champaign
Parkland College (GED) – 2400 W Bradley Ave – Champaign – IL 61821 – Ph: (217) 351.2433
Champaign-Ford ROE #9 (GED) – 3358 Big Pine Tr – Champaign – Il 61822 – Ph: (217) 893.3219
Charleston
Regional Off of Education #11 (GED) – 730 7th St – Charleston – IL 61920 – Ph: (217) 348.0151
Chester
Monroe-Randolph ROE #45 (GED) – 1 Taylor St – Chester – IL 62233 – Ph: (618) 826.5471
Chicago (By Zip)
Arturo Velasquez Inst. (HiSET) – 2800 S Western Ave – Chicago – IL 60608 – Ph: (773) 838.7775
Malcolm X Coll. (GED, HiSET) – 1900 W Jackson Blvd – Chicago – IL 60612 – Ph: (312) 850.7238
S. Chicago Learning Ctr (HiSET) – 3055 E 92nd St – Chicago – IL 60617 – Ph: (773) 291.6472
Kennedy-King Resource Ctr (HiSET – 747 W 63rd St – Chicago – IL 60621 – Ph: (773) 602.5340
Chicago State University (GED) – 9501 S King Dr – Chicago – IL 60628 – Ph: (773) 995.2086
Olive-Harvey Coll. (GED) – 10001 S Woodlawn Ave – Chicago – IL 60628 – Ph: (773) 291.6472
American Business Coll. – (HiSET) – 4440 S Pulaski Rd – Chicago – IL 60632 – Ph: (773) 416.4900
Wilbur Wright Coll. (GED, HiSET) – 4300 N Narragansett Ave – Chicago – IL 60634 – Ph: (773) 481.8897/8457
Polish-American Association (GED) – 6276 S Archer Ave – Chicago – IL 60638 – Ph: (773) 481.5407
American Business Coll. (HiSET) – 5649 W Fullerton Ave – Chicago – IL 60639 – Ph: 773-416.4900
Harry S Truman Coll. (GED, HiSET) – 1145 W Wilson Ave – Chicago – IL 60640 – Ph: (773) 907.4889
Richard J. Daley Coll. (GED, HiSET) – 7500 S Pulaski Rd – Chicago – IL 60652 – Ph: (773) 838.7775
Jacob H. Carruthers Ctr (GED) – 700 E Oakwood Blvd – Chicago – IL 60653 – Ph: (773) 256.2034
YEP GED Testing – 609 W Adams St – Chicago – IL 60661 – Ph: (312) 575.3286
Chicago Heights
Prairie State Coll. (GED, HiSET) – 202 S Halsted Street – Chicago Heights – IL 60411 – Ph: (708) 709.3507
Cicero
Morton College (GED, HiSET) – 3801 S Central Ave – Cicero – IL 60804 – Ph: (708) 656.8000
America Business College (HiSET) – 5713 W Cermak Rd – Cicero – IL 60804 – Ph: (773) 417.4900
Crystal Lake
McHenry Co. College (GED) – 8900 US Hwy 14 – Crystal Lake – IL 60012 – Ph: (815) 455.3700
Danville
Danville Area Comm. Coll. (GED, HiSET) – 2000 E Main St – Danville – IL 61832 – Ph: (217) 443.3222
Decatur
Richland Comm. Coll. (GED) – 1 College Park – Decatur – IL 62521 – Ph: (217) 875.7200
Macon-Piatt ROE (HiSET) – 3433 Rupp Pkwy – Decatur – IL 62526 – Ph: (217) 872.3721
DeKalb
ROE #16 (Ste C, GED) – 2500 N Annie Glidden Rd – DeKalb – IL 60115 – Ph: (815) 217.0460
Des Plaines
IT Expert Systems (HiSET) – 2400 E Devon Ave – Des Plaines – IL 60018 – Ph: (847) 350.9034
Dixon
Sauk Valley Comm. Coll. (GED) – 173 IL Route 2 – Dixon – IL 61021 – Ph: (815) 835.6530
East Peoria
Peoria ROE #53 (GED) – 2400 N Main St  – East Peoria – IL 61611 – Ph: (309) 477.2290
East Saint Louis
East St. Louis Senior High (HiSET) – 4901 State St – East St. Louis – IL 62205 – Ph: (618) 646.3700
Edwardsville
Lewis & Clark Comm Coll. (GED) – 600 Troy Rd – Edwardsville – IL 62025 – Ph: (618) 307.5131
Madison Co. ROE #40 (HiSET) – 1310 N Main St – Edwardsville – IL 62025 – Ph: (618) 296.4530
Effingham
ROE #3 (GED) – 101 N 4th St – Effingham  – IL 62401 – Ph: (217) 342.4363
Elgin
Elgin Comm. Coll. (GED, HiSET) – 1700 Spartan Dr – Elgin – IL 60123 – Ph: (847) 214.7150
Evanston
Soc. Services of Uptown Chicago (HiSET) – 1717 Howard St – Evanston – IL 60202 – Ph: (312) 792.7198
Fairfield
Frontier Comm. Coll. (GED) – 2 Frontier Dr –  Fairfield – IL 62837 – Ph: (618) 842.3711
Forest Park
Joseph Business School (GED, HiSET) – 7600 W Roosevelt Rd – Forest Park – IL 60130 – Ph: (708) 697.6200
Freeport
ROE #8 (GED) – 27 S State Ave – Ste 101 – Freeport – IL 61032 – Ph: (815) 599.1408
Highland Comm. Coll. (GED, HiSET) – 2998 W Pearl City Rd – Freeport – IL 61032 – Ph: (815) 599.3680 or (815) 235.6121
Galesburg
Carl Sandburg Coll. (HiSET) – 2400 Tom L. Wilson Blvd – Galesburg – IL 61401 – Ph: (309) 345.3828
ROE #33 (GED, HiSET) – 932 Harrison St, Galesburg, IL 61401, Ph: (309) 734.6822
Geneva
Kane County ROE (GED, HiSET) – 28 N 1st St – Geneva – IL 60134 – Ph: (630) 232.5955 or (630) 406.7161
Glen Ellyn
Coll. of DuPage (GED, HiSET) – 425 Fawell Blvd – Glen Ellyn – IL 60137 – Ph: (630) 942.2401
Godfrey
Lewis & Clark Comm. Coll. (HiSET, GED) – 5800 Godfrey Rd – Godfrey – IL 62035 – Ph: (618) 468.5232/5240
Grayslake
College of Lake Co. (GED, HiSET) – 19351 W Washington St – Grayslake – IL 60030 – Ph: (847) 543.2076
Harrisburg
Southeastern Illinois Coll. (GED) – 3575 College Rd – Harrisburg – IL 62946 – Ph: (618) 252.5400
Hillsboro
Regional Off. of Ed. #3 (HiSET) – 203 S Main St – Hillsboro – IL 62049 – Ph: (217) 824.4730
Jacksonville
ROE-Jacksonville (GED) – 409 Hardin Ave – Jacksonville – IL 62650 – Ph: (217) 243.1804
Jerseyville
ROE #40 (GED) – 201 W Exchange St – Jerseyville – IL 62052 – Ph: (618) 498.5541
Joliet
Joliet Jr Coll.-Main (GED, HiSET) – 235 N Chicago St – Joliet – IL 60432 – Ph: (815) 280.2261
Joliet Jr Coll.-Test Ctr. (A-1138, on-Campus)- 1215 Houbolt Rd – Joliet – IL 60431 – Ph: (815) 280.2261
Kankakee
Kankakee Comm. Coll. (GED) – 100 College Dr – Kankakee – IL 60901 – Ph: (815) 802.8530
Lincoln
Heartland Comm. Coll. (GED) – 2201 Woodlawn Rd – Lincoln – IL 62656 – Ph: (217) 735.1731
Lombard
Test Center USA Chicago (GED) – 555 Waters Edge – Lombard – IL 60148 – Ph: (630) 785.3136
Loves Park
Boone Winnebago ROE (GED) -300 Heart Blvd – Loves Park – IL 61111 – Ph: (815) 636.3060
Macomb
ROE #26 (HiSET) – 130 S Lafayette St – Ste 200 – Macomb – IL 61455 – Ph: (309) 575.3229/3226
Spoon River Coll. (GED) – 2500 E Jackson St – Macomb – IL 61455 – Ph: (309) 833.6031
Malta
Kishwaukee Coll. (GED) – 21193 Malta Rd – Malta – IL 60150 – Ph: (815) 825.9841
Marion
Regional Office of Ed. #21 (GED) – 502 W Jackson St – Marion – IL 62959 – Ph: (618) 998.1283
Mattoon
Lake Land Coll. (GED) – 5001 Lake Land Blvd – Mattoon – IL 61938 – Ph: (217) 234.5287
Maywood
PLCCA, INC. (GED) – 411 W Madison St – Maywood – IL 60153 – Ph: (708) 450.3500
West 40 Service Ctr-2 (GED) – 415 Lexington St – Maywood – IL 60153 – Ph: (708) 449.4284
McHenry
McHenry Co. Regional Off. of Education (GED) – 408 SR 31 – McHenry – IL 60050 -Ph: (815) 334.4055
Moline
Black Hawk Coll. (GED) – 6600 34th Ave – Moline – IL 61265 – Ph: (309) 796.5170
Rock Island ROE (GED) – 3430 Ave of the Cities – Moline – IL 61265 – Ph: (309) 736.1111
Monmouth
ROE #33 (GED, HiSET) – 105 North E St – Monmouth – IL 61462 – Ph: (309) 734.6822
Morris
Joliet Junior Coll-Morris – HiSET – 725 School St – Morris – IL 60450 – Ph: (815) 280.2261/2284
Mount Carmel
Wabash Valley Coll. (HiSET GED) – 2200 College Dr – Mt. Carmel – IL 62863 – Ph: (618) 263.5126 or (618) 262.8641
Mount Vernon
ROE #13 (GED) – 1714 Broadway – Mt. Vernon – IL 62864 – Ph: (618) 244.8040
Murphysboro
Jackson/Perry ROE #30 (GED) – 819 Walnut St – Murphysboro – IL 62966 – Ph: (618) 684.4890
Naperville
College of Dupage (GED, HiSET) – 1223 Rickert Dr – Naperville – IL 60540 – Ph: (630) 942.4750/3202
IT Expert Systems (HiSET) – 1465 Wall St – Naperville – IL 60563 – Ph: (847) 350.9034
Normal
Heartland Comm. Coll. (HiSET, GED) – 1500 W Raab Rd – Normal – IL 61761 – Ph: (309) 268.8077
Oak Forest
South Suburban Coll. (GED, HiSET) – 16333 S Kilbourn Ave – Oak Forest – IL 60452 – Ph: (708) 225.6055
Oglesby
Illinois Valley Comm. Coll. (GED) – 815 N Orlando Smith St – Oglesby – IL 61348 – Ph: (815) 224.0542
Olney
Olney Central College (HiSET, GED) – 305 N West St – Olney – IL 62450 – Ph: (618) 395.7777
Palatine
Harper College – 1200 W Algonquin Rd – Palatine – IL 60067 – Ph: (847) 925.6541
Palos Hills
Moraine Valley Comm. Coll. (GED, HiSET) – 9000 W College Pkwy – Palos Hills – IL 60465 – Ph: (708) 974.5309
Paris
Mayo Middle School (HiSET) – 300 E Wood St – Paris – IL 61944 – Ph: (217) 465.8448
Peoria
Peoria ROE (Rm 401, GED) – 324 Main St – Peoria – IL 61602 – Ph: (309) 672.6906
ICC Peoria (GED) – 5407 N University St – Arbor 103 – Peoria – IL 61635 – Ph: (309) 690.6990
Knoxville Ctr for Student Success (HiSET) – 2628 N Knoxville Ave – Peoria – IL 61604 – Ph: (309) 672.6906
Pittsfield
ROE #1-Pittsfield (GED) – 39637 260th Ave – Pittsfield – IL 62363 – Ph: (217) 641.4570
Pontiac
Heartland Comm. Coll. (GED) – 211 E Madison St – Pontiac – IL 61764 – Ph: (815) 842.6777
Prospect Heights
Harper College (GED) – 1375 S Wolf Rd – Prospect Heights – IL 60070 – Ph: (847) 925.6212/6066
Quincy
ROE #1 (GED) – 507 Vermont St – Quincy – IL 62301 – Ph: (217) 277.2080
Rantoul
ROE #9 (HiSET) – 200 S Frederick St – Rantoul – IL 61866 – Ph: (217) 893-3219
Red Bud
Monroe Randolph ROE (GED – 134 N Main St – Red Bud – IL 62278 – Ph (618) 680.0154
Robinson
Lincoln Trail College (HiSET, GED) – 11220 State Hwy 1 – Robinson – IL 62454 – Ph: (618) 544.8657
ROE-Crawford Co. (GED) – 301 S Cross St (Ste 211) – Robinson – IL 62454 – Ph: (618) 544.2719
Rockford
Rockford Works! Mission Ctr (GED) – 715 W State St – Rockford – IL 61102 – Ph: (815) 316.4171
Romeoville
Joliet Junior Coll. (GED, HiSET) – 1125 W Romeo Rd – Romeoville – IL 60446 – Ph: (815) 280.7785
Schaumburg
IT Expert Systems (HiSET) – 951 N Plum Grove Rd – Schaumburg – IL 60173 – Ph: (847) 350.9034
Springfield
ROE-Sangamon Co. (GED) – S Dirksen Pkwy – Springfield – IL 62703 – Ph: (217) 753.6620
Taylorville
ROE #3 (GED, HiSET) – 210 S Webster St – Taylorville – IL 62568 – Ph: (217) 824.4730
Ullin
Shawnee Comm. Coll. (GED) – 8364 College Rd – Ullin – IL 62992 – Ph: (618) 634.3316
University Park
Governors State University (GED) – 1 University Pkwy – University Park – IL 60484 – Ph: (708) 235.7555
Vernon Hills
College of Lake Co (GED) – 1120 S Milwaukee Ave (V212) – Vernon Hills – IL 60061 – Ph: (847) 543.6544
Waterloo
Monroe-Randolph ROE #45 (HiSET) – 107 E Mill St – Waterloo – IL 62298  – Ph: (618) 939.5650
Waukegan
College of Lake Co.-Lakeshore (GED, HiSET) – 34 N Sheridan St – Waukegan – IL 60085 – Ph: (847) 543.2120
Westmont
College of DuPage-Westmont (GED, HiSET) – 650 Pasquinelli Dr – Westmont – IL 60559 – Ph: (630) 942.4850
Yorkville
Kendall Co. GED Testing (Historic Courthouse) – 109 W Ridge St – Yorkville – IL 60560 – Ph: (630) 553.4115
Kendall ROE II (HiSET) – 1102 Cornell Ln – Yorkville – IL 60560 – Ph: (630) 906.4167

Illinois Awards High School Diplomas

Illinois has decided to award regular high school diplomas to GED and HiSET graduates instead of an equivalency degree. If you already hold a GED or HiSET diploma, you can contact your local Regional Office of Education (ROE) to exchange your credential for a standard high school diploma. GED and HiSET credentials remain valid.

Illinois GED Online

You can take the Illinois GED exam at one of the state’s designated GED testing facilities or in an online proctored (OP) format. To qualify for online GED testing, you need to reach at least “green” (likely to pass) results on the GED Ready test.

There are four GED Ready tests (one for each subtest) that can be bought at the official website GED.com. The tests cost $6.99 each so you can add $28 to your overall GED online testing cost.

The Online Proctored GED exam costs $144 for the entire battery or $36 per individual subtest.

GED, HiSET Costs

Discounted rates for GED and HiSET testing are available after grant funding, and Illinois offers free GED testing as well.

  • GED online or in-person: Reduced to $40
  • HiSET computer-based: Reduced to $13.75
  • HiSET paper-based: Reduced $35
  • HiSET online: Reduced to $69.25

GED test-takers have to enter the code ILSAVE20 at check-out on their GED.com account. HiSET test-takers can access this discount by calling the ETS hotline at 1-855-MyHiSET to schedule a test.

Additionally, the Illinois Community College Board has announced they will cover the cost of the GED test for successful test-takers entirely. The code is ILSAVE.

Regular fees:
The Illinois GED exam is entirely computer-delivered and costs $36 per individual subtest, so $144 in total. Online GED testing costs $36 per subtest as well.

The five HiSET modules (subtests) cost:
When taken on a computer, it is $ 18.75 per subject test ($10.75 for ETS, $8 for the test center fee), so $93.75 in total.
When taken in a paper-based format, it is $23 per subtest ($15 for the ETS fee, $8 for the test center), so $115 in total.
Keep in mind that the test center fee ($8) is due at all times.

How to Start with GED Preparation

So, let’s see how to get a GED in Illinois. If you want to sign up for the GED exam, you cannot already have a secondary education credential or be registered for a school program. Contact your nearest GED prep or testing site to find out if you can enroll in the GED program.

By the time you think you are ready to take on the GED test(s), go to MyGED at GED.com, where you can purchase the GED Ready practice test to learn if you are sufficiently prepared.

You will also be guided through the entire test-taking process. On taking the exam, be sure to be totally prepared. A pretty effective way to get started with your GED prep is through this website’s free video lessons and practice tests. You can learn if online studying is right for you, and if it is, we recommend you register with Onsego GED Prep to get all set fast for the GED test.

The GED exam contains four independent subtests. You can take one of these four tests (Math, Social Studies, Science, and Literacy) when you are optimally prepared. The HiSET exam comes with five subtests that may also be dealt with separately.

Come to the GED exam prepared, take it confidently, and earn your GED Illinois credential. To obtain your Illinois High School Equivalency Certificate (now, high school diploma), you also need to pass the high school-level United States and State of Illinois Constitution exam or present proof of completion.

At your community bookstore, they surely have preparation materials, and you can find a lot of GED prep classes that offer preparation in your area, often free of charge. Just check an area by clicking on a major city near you in the above list, and if you are an independent learner, a good online course, like Onsego’s accredited program, is another fine option. This is how to get your GED in Illinois!

GED vs. HiSET

The Illinois Community College Board has approved the use of the HiSET exam in the state. The HiSET is available in both paper-delivered and computer-based formats and is slightly less costly than the GED exam.

After passing the four GED tests (or the five HiSET tests) and the Illinois Constitution Test, you’ll be awarded the Illinois High School Diploma.

This credential will surely help improve your life as it allows for continued education in college and offers better job opportunities. This page lists all facilities in key Illinois areas where you can attend GED courses to get ready for the exam. Choose a city near you.

Online GED and HiSET Testing

As said earlier, there is now also the option to take the HiSET or GED exam online. It used to be that both exams could only be taken at state-approved test centers, but fortunately, that has changed.

The HiSET online exam is now also available to qualifying students, and the GED exam can be taken online by students who score in the “green” zone on the GED Ready® official practice test. You can learn more here -> The online GED exam.

GED Passing Score

The GED (General Education Development) passing score is 145, so you need to score at least 580 points in total. Successful test-takers are also required to pay a $10 administrative fee to receive their certificate.

GED scoring is done on a 100-200 scale:

  • 100-144 are below-passing scores
  • 145-164 are high school equivalent scores
  • 165-174 are college-ready scores
  • 175-200 are college-ready + up to 10 college credits scores

HiSET Passing Score

The HiSET requires you to score (on a 1–20 score scale) at least 8 points on each of the five sub-tests and a combined score of no less than 45. Your essay must have a minimum score of 2 points.

Free GED Online Prep in Illinois

The difficulty level of the GED exam is comparable to that of a current high school diploma. Multiple-choice has, for a great part, disappeared in favor of essay-based answering. Critical reasoning and problem-solving are the focus elements of the GED exam. If a student needs some accommodation, please make a timely request at a testing center.

Timed Tests

On the GED  exam, you are allowed the following time:

  • English Language Arts: 150 minutes, including a short break
  • Mathematical Reasoning: 115 minutes
  • Science: 90 minutes
  • Social Studies: 70 minutes

All across the state of Illinois, you can find GED preparation classes at adult education centers, libraries, and churches that are mostly free of charge. More information and practice tests are available at GED.com, but our website also includes free GED practice tests as well.

So, in Illinois, there are two options to earn your HSE (high school equivalency) exam: the GED and HiSET, but not all Illinois GED testing locations offer both options. The free lessons and practice tests offered on this website are courtesy of Onsego, a premium GED prep course recognized by GED Testing Service.

ICCB announced that more and more testing sites are now offering multiple combinations of choices. The GED test costs $144 and offers practically immediate scoring results. The HiSET exam is available in computer-based and paper versions and costs $90 and $92 in Illinois, respectively. But now, discounted rates are offered in Illinois (read more above).

There was no online testing option, but that has changed. You no longer must come to an official Illinois testing facility if you qualify for online testing. So check also our article about how to sign up for your GED exam with the online portal MyGED.

For more information:
Illinois Community College Board Adult Education and Literacy
Illinois HSE Administrator’s Office
401 East Capitol Avenue (Main Office)
Springfield, IL 62701-1711
Phone: 217.558.5668
Fax: 217.558.6700
Email: hse@illinois.gov

FAQ about GED in Illinois

How to get a GED in Illinois?

Students looking to earn their GEDs in Illinois must either pass the four GED subtests or the five subtests that make up the HiSET exam. Illinois uses two options for high school equivalency testing: the computerized GED test and the HiSET exam, which can be taken on paper or on a computer. This page lists all Illinois GED testing locations and prep sites.

What are the Illinois GED testing requirements?

The HiSET and GED tests are geared toward adults who never finished high school. In Illinois, testing is only open to state residents 17 and older, though, for applicants 17 years old, extra requirements apply. In Illinois, test-takers must also pass the state’s Constitution Test.

What is the GED cost in Illinois?

The Illinois GED exam will set you back $144 for the whole GED exam ($36 per subtest), regardless of whether you take the test at a test center or online. For online testing, though, you should additionally count the cost of four GED Ready tests ($28) that you are required to pass before you are allowed to take the GED exam online.

Reduced fees apply, however. Read more above under “Reduced Fees.” And now, the GED test is free to Illinois GED testers! The state’s Community College Board has decided to offer the GED test at no cost to the test-taker!

The HiSET exam costs between $93.75 and $115, depending on whether you take the exam on a computer or on paper. It goes without saying that online HiSET testing is only possible on a computer. In Illinois, discounted rates are available. You can register for and take one of the GED or HiSET subtests at a time. Reduced fees apply, however. Read more above.

Are adjustments required? Do we have to include or unlist a prep or test site? Please advise us here.