GED (HiSET) In Iowa

The Iowa GED test (HiSET) can be taken online by qualifying students or at one of the state’s official HiSET test centers.

Iowa uses the HiSET for its High School Equivalency testing program. The exam offers persons who never finished high school the chance to acquire an equivalent degree.

To register for HiSET testing, students need to create an account on the website hiset.org.

Best GED Classes offers free support in the form of free GED practice tests and online GED free classes that allow you to identify if online learning is suited for you.

If so, we advise you to continue with Onsego GED Online Prep, a full-scope, accredited hand affordable GED prep course.

Onsego’s comprehensive GED prep course is recognized by GED Testing service® as fully aligned with the current GED exam. Since the HiSET and GED contents are quite similar, you may well use this GED prep course to get all set for the HiSET exam.

The HiSET is only available on a computer in Iowa unless accommodations are required for testing in another format.

There are many locations where HiSET prep classes are available that will get you all geared up to take the HiSET test confidently.

The HiSET diploma will certainly improve job options and open up doors to colleges and universities.

Upon passing the HiSET exam, you are awarded the High School Equivalency diploma.

The HiSET exam contains five subtests in the fields of

• Science
• Social Studies
• English Language Reading
• English Language Writing
• Math

The Iowa High School Equivalency diploma is, all over America, accepted as equivalent to a high school diploma by businesses, schools, employers, and government agencies.

Getting a high school equivalency diploma is absolutely important for persons who have never completed high school.

Iowa GED Eligibility Requirements (HiSET)

• Iowa HiSET applicants must be at least 16 years old.
• For those 16 and 17 years old, however, strict additional requirements apply. So contact your nearest testing site.
• There is NO Iowa residency requirement.
• Iowa requires test-takers to first take and pass the official HiSET practice test. To take the HiSET practice test, students need to be enrolled in an adult education program at one of the state’s 15 Community Colleges.
• Applicants cannot already hold a high school degree and not be signed up for another school program.
• In Iowa, underage test-takers will not receive their state-issued HSE (high school equivalency) diploma until they’ve reached age 18 and their class from 9th grade has graduated.

Fee: $53.75 for the computer-based full exam ($10.75 per individual subtest) and for paper-based testing $75. These prices include two retests.

Iowa GED Prep Classes (HiSET)

You can prepare for the GED test or the HiSET exam by studying online, or you can attend a traditional GED prep class near you. Click on your city or a city near you to discover all the options.

• Burlington
• Cedar Rapids
• Davenport
• Des Moines
• Dubuque
• Marshalltown
• Mason City
• Ottumwa
• Sioux City
• Waterloo

Iowa GED Testing Centers (HiSET)

Algona
Iowa Lakes Comm. Coll.-Algona – 2111 Hwy 169 N – Algona – IA 50511 – Ph: (515) 295.8521/9455
Ames
Des Moines Area Comm. Coll.-Ames – 1420 S Bell Ave – Ames – IA 50010 – Ph: (515) 428.8120 or (515) 663.6700
Ankeny
Des Moines Area Comm. Coll.-Ankeny – 2006 S Ankeny Blvd – Ankeny – IA 50023 – Ph: (515) 964.6255/6200
Atlantic
Iowa Western Comm. Coll.-Atlantic – 705 Walnut St – Atlantic – IA 50022 – Ph: (712) 325.3267 or (712) 256.7088
Boone
Des Moines Area Comm. Coll.-Boone – 1125 Hancock Dr – Boone – IA 50036 – Ph: (515) 433.5096 or (515) 712.7617
Carroll
Des Moines Area Comm. Coll.-Carroll – 906 N Grant Rd – Carroll – IA 51401 – Ph: (712) 792.8333/1755
Cedar Rapids
Kirkwood Comm. Coll. – 6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW – Cedar Rapids – IA 52404 – Ph: (319) 398.5456/5411
IowaWORKS Lindale Mall – 4444 1st Ave #436 – Cedar Rapids – IA 52402 – Ph: (319) 365.9474
Centerville
Indian Hills Comm. College – 721 N 1st St – Centerville – IA 52554 – Ph: (641) 683.5233
Cherokee
West Iowa Tech-Cherokee – 200 Victory Dr – Cherokee – IA 51012 – Ph: (712) 274.8733/6420
Clarinda
Iowa Western Comm. Coll.-Clarinda – 923 E Washington St – Clarinda – IA 51632 – Ph: (712) 325.3267 or (712) 256.7088
Clinton
Eastern Iowa Comm. Coll./CCC. – 1000 Lincoln Blvd – Clinton – IA 52732 – Ph: (563) 244.7050/7001
Council Bluffs
Iowa Western Comm. Coll. (Kinney Hall) – 2700 College Rd – Council Bluffs – IA 51503 – Ph: (712) 325.3266
Creston
Southwestern Comm. Coll.-Creston – 1501 Townline St – Creston – IA 50801 – Ph: (641) 782.1497
Davenport
Scott Comm. Coll. (EICC) – 2950 N Fairmount St – Davenport – IA 52804 – Ph: (563) 326.5319 or 563-328-7862
Denison
Western Iowa Tech Comm. Coll.-Denison – 11 N 35th St – Denison – IA 51442 – Ph: (712) 274.8733/6420
Des Moines
Des Moines Area Comm. Coll.-Urban – 1100 7th St – Des Moines – IA 50314 – Ph: (515) 248.7204 or (515) 295.8525
Des Moines Area Comm. Coll.-Southbridge – 1111 E Army Post Rd – Des Moines – IA 50315 – Ph: (515) 287.8720 or (515) 295.8525
Dubuque
Northeast Iowa Comm. Coll.-Dubuque – 700 Main St – Dubuque – IA 52001 – Ph: (563) 562.3263 or (563) 557.8271
Eldora
Eldora Adult Ed. (IVCC) – 3211 W Edgington Ave – Eldora – IA 50627 – Ph: (641) 844.5651
Emmetsburg
Iowa Lakes Comm. Coll.-Emmetsburg – 3200 College Dr – Emmetsburg – IA 50536 – Ph: (712) 362.7936/852-3554
Estherville
Iowa Lakes Comm. Coll.-Estherville – 300 S 18th St – Estherville – IA 51334 – Ph: (712) 362-2604
Fairfield
Indian Hills Jefferson Co. HiSET Test Ctr – 112 S Court St – Fairfield – IA 52556 – Ph: (641) 683.5233
Fort Dodge
Iowa Central Comm. College-Ft. Dodge – 1 Triton Cr – Ft. Dodge – IA 50501 – Ph: (515) 574.1959 or (800) 362.2793
Fort Madison
Southeastern Comm.. Coll-Fort Madison – 1602 Ave F – Fort Madison – IA 52627 – Ph: (319) 376.2276 or (319) 208-5302
Fort Madison Public Library (SCC) – 1920 Ave E – Fort Madison – IA 52627 – Ph: (319) 372.5721 or (319) 208-5301
Grinnell
Iowa Valley Comm. Coll.-Grinnell – 123 6th Ave W – Grinnell – IA 50112 – Ph: (641) 754.1348 or (641) 236.0513
Hampton
North Iowa Area Comm. Coll. – 5 1st St NW – Hampton – IA 50441 – Ph: (641) 456.5668
Harlan
Iowa Western Comm. Coll.-Harlan  – 1901 Hawkeye Ave – Harlan – IA 51537 – Ph: (712) 325.3267 or (712) 755.3568
Iowa City
Learning Ctr Iowa City | 1810 Lower Muscatine Rd | Iowa City | IA 52240 | Ph: (319) 887.3656
Iowa Falls
Ellsworth Comm. Coll.-Iowa Falls – 1100 College Ave – Iowa Falls – IA 50126 – Ph: (641) 754.1348 or (641) 844.5656
Keokuk
Southeastern Comm. College – 335 Messenger Rd – Keokuk – IA 52632 – Ph: (319) 313-1943
Marshalltown
Iowa Valley CC Adult Ed. – 3702 S Center St – Marshalltown – IA 50158 – Ph: (641) 752.4645/7106
Mason City
North Iowa Area Comm. Coll. – 500 College Dr – Mason City – IA 50401 – Ph: (641) 422.4176 or (8880 466.4222
Monticello
Jones Reg. Educational Ctr (KCC) – 220 Welter Dr – Monticello – IA 52310 – Ph: (319) 465.2304/2302
Mt. Pleasant
Southeastern Comm. Coll. – 200 N Main St – Mt Pleasant – IA 52641 – Ph: (319) 385-8012 or (319) 208-5314
Muscatine
Eastern Iowa Comm. Coll. – 152 Colorado St – Muscatine – IA 52761 – Ph: (563) 288.6161/6001
Newton
Des Moines Area Comm. Coll.-Newton – 600 N 2nd Ave West – Newton – IA 50208 – Ph: (641) 791.1730/3622
Oelwein
Northeast IA Comm. Coll. – 1400 Technolgy Dr – Oelwein – IA 50662 – Ph: (319) 283.3010
Osceola 
Southwestern Comm. Coll.-Osceola – 2520 College Dr – Osceola – IA 50213 – Ph: (641) 782.1497
Oskaloosa
Indian Hills Comm. Coll. William Penn Ctr – 1710 N Market St – Oskaloosa – IA 52577 – Ph: (641) 683.5233
Ottumwa
Indian Hills Comm. Coll.-North Campus – 15260 Truman St – Ottumwa – IA 52501 – Ph: (641) 683.5233
Indian Hills Comm. Coll.-Trustee Hall – 525 Grandview Ave – Ottumwa – IA 52501 – Ph: (641) 683.5233
Peosta
Northeast Iowa Comm. Coll.-Peosta – NICC Drive – Peosta – IA 52068 – Ph: (563) 562.3263
Red Oak
Southwestern Comm. Coll.-Red Oak – 2300 N 4th St – Red Oak – IA 51566, Ph: (641) 782.1497
Shenandoah
Iowa Western Comm. Coll.-Shenandoah – 1001 W Sheridan Ave – Shenandoah – IA 51601 – Ph: (712) 246.1499
Sioux City
W Iowa Tech Comm. College – 4647 Stone Ave – Sioux City – IA 51102 – Ph: (712) 274.8733 or (712) 274.6420
IowaWorks-Sioux City – 2508 4th St – Sioux City – IA 51101 – Ph: (712) 233.9030
Spencer
Iowa Lakes Comm. Coll.-Spencer – 1900 Grand Ave – Spencer – IA 51301 – Ph: (712) 362.7965/7936
Spirit Lake
Iowa Lakes Comm Coll. – 800 21st St – Spirit Lake – IA 51360 – Ph: (712) 336.3439
Storm Lake
Iowa Central Comm. Coll.-Storm Lake  – 916 N Russell St – Storm Lake – IA 50588 – Ph: (712) 574.1959/4715
Tama
Iowa Valley Comm. Coll.-Tama – 215 W 9th St – Tama – IA 52339 – Ph: (641) 754.1348 or (641) 484.8002
Tipton
Kirkwood Comm. Coll.-Cedar Co. Ctr – 100 Alexander Dr – Tipton – IA 52772 – Ph: (563) 886.6077/2950
Vinton
Kirkwood Comm. Coll. (Benton Co. Ctr) – 111 W 3rd St – Vinton – IA 52349 – Ph: (319) 398.5456 or (319) 472.2318
Washington
Kirkwood Comm. Coll.-Washington – 2192 Lexington Blvd – Washington – IA 52353 – Ph: (319) 653.4655
Waterloo
Hawkeye Comm. College-Waterloo – 120 Jefferson St – Waterloo – IA 50701 – Ph: (319) 296.2329 x 2033 or (319) 283.3010
Waukon
Northeast Iowa Comm. Coll.-Waukon – 1220 3rd Ave – Waukon – IA 52172 – Ph: (563) 568.3060
Webster City
Iowa Central Comm. Coll.-Webster City – 1725 Beach St – Webster City – IA 50595 – Ph: (515) 574.1959 or (515) 832.1632
West Burlington
Southeastern Comm. Coll. – 1500 W Agency Rd – West Burlington – IA 52655 – Ph: (319) 208.5302/5155
Williamsburg
Kirkwood Iowa Co. Learning Ctr – 200 West St – Williamsburg – IA 52655 – Ph: (319) 668.2461
Woodward
Woodward Academy – 1251 334th St – Woodward – IA 50276 – Ph: (515) 438.3481

So Iowa exchanged the GED (General Education Development) exam with the HiSET for its HSE (High school Equivalency) testing program a few years ago. The fees for GED testing had skyrocketed, and the test was only offered in an entirely computerized format.

So Iowa, like quite a few other states, had reasons enough to make the switch to the HiSET test.

The HiSET exam is developed to support adults who couldn’t finish high school in their efforts to earn an equivalent diploma. The diploma that’s awarded after successfully completing the five HiSET subtests is, across North America, regarded and accepted in the same way as a regular HS diploma by government organizations, employers, and academic institutions.

Iowa GED (HiSET) – How to Start

Local bookstores and libraries will have materials available, and you can find HiSET preparation classes close to you that offer free preparation, and online courses can also be a great alternative.

Your community college may provide a HiSET prep class or an adult continuing education program that you may apply for, so request all available info about their admissions policies and training options to see if their programs fit your calendar.

The HiSET (developed by nonprofit ETS) is more affordable and aligned with statewide standards for what students must learn at what grade level. The new testing system prepares students for college and careers and is in line with University requirements and industry demands.

The HiSET exam will help guarantee that students are ready to function well in the 21st-century workforce. The HiSET (High School Equivalency Test) assesses skills and knowledge at the level of graduating high school students.

The HiSET exam is a series of five tests in the fields of writing, science, math, literacy (or Language Arts), and social studies.

If students pass the exam, they are awarded the High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED). Preparation is absolutely important. Check out your region in the above-listed directory for prep classes that will make you ready to take the HiSET test with success, or check out our free online help to see if online learning fits you well.

Online Iowa GED (HiSET) Testing

There is now also the option to take the HiSET exam online. It used to be that the HiSET exam was only offered at designated testing sites, but that has now changed. Learn more in this post: HiSET exam online.

Free Iowa GED Online Prep

• Practice Tests: Math, Social Studies, Language, and Science
• Online GED Classes
• Pre GED Tests

HiSET Scoring

The five HiSET subtests are scored on a scale that goes from 1 to 20. The passing score is 8. Your total score (on all five tests) must be at least 45, and your essay score must be in the 2-6 range.

High School Equivalency programs offer people all over the nation another possibility to complete their secondary education. Regardless of whether you want to get a college education, a better job, or a promotion at your current workplace, the HiSET program will get you there.

The majority of entry-level jobs call for some sort of advanced study, and the HiSET and GED programs offer a perfect path to get there.

Over the past few years, the Iowa economy added some 4.600 new Health Care jobs, over 2.100 new Financial Services jobs, and almost 1.100 new jobs in Business Services every year to be filled by its residents, and all these new positions are great chances for entry-level workers. Yet, you need a secondary education credential to be able to enter these employment fields.

Before you can sit for the exam in Iowa, you must take and pass the state HiSET pre-test. If you want to obtain your HiSET diploma, you need to pass the five individual tests of the HiSET exam. Testing centers are state-approved, and you need to take your tests in person, but now, an online option has been introduced as well.

For more information:
Iowa Department of Education
400 E 14th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0146
Phone: 515.281.5294
Fax: 515.242.5988

FAQ about the Iowa GED (HiSET)

How do I get the Iowa GED?

Iowa uses the HiSET exam for high school equivalency (HSE) testing. To earn your HSE diploma, you must pass the five independent subtests that make up the HiSET exam. The testing fields are Math, Writing, Reading, Social Studies, and Science. The HiSET is offered on paper and on a computer.

What are the Iowa GED testing requirements?

The HiSET exam, like the GED, is for adults who have never completed high school. Iowa requires test-takers to be at least 16 years of age, though underage testers (16 and 17 years old) must meet extra requirements. Applicants must be state residents and first attain satisfactory scores on the HiSET Official Practice Test (OPT). Underage testers will not receive their HSE diploma until they’ve turned 18.

What is the Iowa GED cost?

The Iowa HiSET exam costs $53.75 when taken on a computer or $75 when taken on paper. The online HiSET exam is only available in a computer-formatted version.

Are updates or adjustments required? Please inform us here.

Last Updated on November 14, 2024.