GED (HiSET) Testing 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 individuals who never finished high school the opportunity to earn 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. Onsego’s comprehensive 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.

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

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 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 Testing Centers (HiSET)

Algona
Iowa Lakes Comm Coll – 2111 Hwy 169 N – Algona – IA 50511 – Ph: (712) 362.8369
Ankeny
Des Moines Area Comm Coll – 2006 S Ankeny Blvd – Ankeny – IA 50023 – Ph: (515) 248.7256
Atlantic
Iowa Western Comm. Coll.-Atlantic – 705 Walnut St – Atlantic – IA 50022 – Ph: (712) 256.7088
Boone
Des Moines Area Comm Coll – 1125 Hancock Dr – Boone – IA 50036 – Ph: (515) 248,7256
Calmar
Northeast Iowa Comm Coll – 1625 Hwy 150 S – Calmar – IA 52132 – Ph: (563) 557.8271
Carroll
Des Moines Area Comm Coll – 906 N Grant Rd – Carroll – IA 51401 – Ph: (515) 248.7256
Cedar Rapids
Kirkwood Comm. Coll. – 6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW – Cedar Rapids – IA 52404 – 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) 274.6420
Clarinda
Iowa Western Comm Coll – 923 E Washington St – Clarinda – IA 51632 – Ph: (712) 256.7088
Clinton
Eastern Iowa Comm. Coll. – 1000 Lincoln Blvd – Clinton – IA 52732 – Ph: (563) 328.7682
Coralville
Kirkwood Reg. Test Ctr (Rm 522) – 2301 Oakdale Blvd – Coralville – IA 52241 – Ph: (319) 358.3100
Council Bluffs
Iowa Western Comm Coll (Kinney Hall) – 2700 College Rd – Council Bluffs – IA 51503 – Ph: (712) 256.7088
Creston
Southwestern Comm Coll – 1501 Townline St – Creston – IA 50801 – Ph: (641) 782.1497/1458
Davenport
Scott Comm Coll (EICC) – 2950 N Fairmount St – Davenport – IA 52804 – Ph: (563) 328.7862
Denison
Western Iowa Tech Comm. Coll.-Denison – 11 N 35th St – Denison – IA 51442 – Ph: (712) 274.6420
Des Moines
Des Moines Area Comm. Coll.-Urban – 1100 7th St – Des Moines – IA 50314 – Ph: (515) 248.7204/7256
Des Moines Area Comm. Coll.-Southbridge – 1111 E Army Post Rd – Des Moines – IA 50315 – Ph: (515) 248.7256
Des Moines Schools Options Academy – 1000 Porter Ave – Des Moines – IA 50315 – Ph: (515) 242.7254
Dubuque
Northeast Iowa Comm. Coll.-Dubuque – 700 Main St – Dubuque – IA 52001 – Ph: (563) 557.8271
Emmetsburg
Iowa Lakes Comm. Coll. – 3200 College Dr – Emmetsburg – IA 50536 – Ph: (712) 362.8369
Estherville
Iowa Lakes Comm. Coll.-Estherville – 300 S 18th St – Estherville – IA 51334 – Ph: (712) 362-8369
Fairfield
Indian Hills Jefferson Co. Test Ctr – 112 S Court St – Fairfield – IA 52556 – Ph: (641) 683.5233
Fort Dodge
Iowa Central Comm Coll – 1 Triton Circle – Fort Dodge – IA 50501 – Ph: (515) 574.1044
Grinnell
Iowa Valley Comm. Coll – 123 6th Ave W – Grinnell – IA 50112 – Ph: (641) 754.1348 or (641) 844.5651
Harlan
Iowa Western Comm Coll – 1901 Hawkeye Ave – Harlan – IA 51537 – Ph: (712) 256.7088
Iowa Falls
Iowa Valley C0mm Coll – 1100 College Ave – Iowa Falls – IA 50126 – Ph: (641) 844.5656
Keokuk
Southeastern Comm College – 335 Messenger Rd – Keokuk – IA 52632 – Ph: (319) 208.5302
Marshalltown
IVCCD Adult Ed – 206 E Church St – Marshalltown – IA 50158 – Ph: (641) 844.5651
Maquoketa
Clinton Comm Coll-Maquoketa – 501 W Washington St – Maquoketa – IA 52030 – Ph: (563) 652.5000
Mason City
N. Iowa Area Comm Coll – 500 College Dr – Mason City – IA 50401 – Ph: (641) 422.4176 or (888) 466.4222
Mt. Pleasant
Southeastern Comm. Coll. – 200 N Main St – Mt Pleasant – IA 52641 – Ph: (319) 208.5302
Muscatine
Eastern Iowa Comm. Coll. – 152 Colorado St – Muscatine – IA 52761 – Ph: (563) 328.7682
Newton
Des Moines Area Comm Coll – 600 N 2nd Ave West – Newton – IA 50208 – Ph: (515) 248.7256
Osceola 
Southwestern Comm Coll – 2520 College Dr – Osceola – IA 50213 – Ph: (641) 782.1497/1458
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 – NICC Drive – Peosta – IA 52068 – Ph: (563) 562.3263
Red Oak
Southwestern Comm Coll – 2300 N 4th St – Red Oak – IA 51566, Ph: (641) 782.1497/1458
Shenandoah
Iowa Western Comm Coll – 1001 W Sheridan Ave – Shenandoah – IA 51601 – Ph: (712) 256.7088
Sioux City
W Iowa Tech – 4647 Stone Ave – Sioux City – IA 51102 – Ph: (712) 274.6420
Spencer
Iowa Lakes Comm. College – 1900 Grand Ave – Spencer – IA 51301 – Ph: (712) 362.8369
Storm Lake
Iowa Central Comm Coll – 323 W 20th St – Storm Lake – IA 50588 – Ph: (712)  574.1044
Tama
Iowa Valley Comm Coll – 215 W 9th St – Tama – IA 52339 – Ph: (641) 751.8706
Vinton
Kirkwood Comm Coll Benton County – 111 W 3rd St – Vinton – IA 52349 – Ph: (319) 365.9474
Washington
Kirkwood Comm. Coll – 2192 Lexington Blvd – Washington – IA 52353 – Ph: (319) 365.9474
Waterloo
Hawkeye Comm Coll – 120 Jefferson St – Waterloo – IA 50701 – Ph: (319) 234.5745
Hawkeye Comm Coll (GED) Upper Level – 1501 E Orange Rd – Waterloo – IA 50701 – Ph: (319) 296.4014
Webster City
Iowa Central Comm Coll – 1725 Beach St – Webster City – IA 50595 – Ph: (515) 574.1959/1044
West Burlington
Southeastern Comm. Coll. – 1500 W Agency Rd – West Burlington – IA 52655 – Ph: (319) 208.5302
Woodward
Woodward Academy – 1251 334th St – Woodward – IA 50276 – Ph: (515) 438.3481

What’s on the HiSET Test

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 accepted all over America as equivalent to a high school diploma by businesses, schools, employers, and government agencies.

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

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 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 changed. Learn more in this post: HiSET exam online.

Upon passing the HiSET exam, you are awarded the High School Equivalency diploma. Getting a high school equivalency diploma is absolutely important for people who have never completed high school.

Having a HiSET diploma will certainly enhance job opportunities and open doors to colleges and universities.

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 August 18, 2026.