Listed here is an overview of GED (in Iowa: HiSET) prep classes and test sites in the Waterloo region. Iowa uses the HiSET exam for the purpose of high school equivalency testing.
HiSET testing is possible online and at certified test centers.
The HiSET exam, in the same way as the GED®, gives adults who never graduated high school the opportunity to earn an equivalent credential.
The exam measures basic knowledge at a similar level that is expected of high school students upon graduation.
The HiSET exam comes with five subtests in the fields of writing, reading, social studies, math, and science.
There are five individual subtests that can be taken separately and on a computer or in a paper-and-pencil format.
Until recently, online HiSET testing was not possible. You needed to show up, in person, at an official Iowa HiSET testing site.
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However, the recent introduction of an online testing option, the HiSET-Exam-At-Home, has changed all of that. Learn more below.
Waterloo GED Prep Classes (HiSET)
Hawkeye Comm. Coll. HiSET Classes
1501 E Orange Rd, Waterloo, Iowa 50704, Ph: (319) 234.5745 or (319) 296.2329 ext.2033
Hawkeye Community College offers HiSET prep classes at the Van G. Miller Adult Learning Center
Van G. Miller Adult Learning Center (HCC)
120 Jefferson St, Waterloo, Iowa 50701, Ph: (319) 296.4278 or (319) 296.2329 ext.2033
IowaWorks Waterloo (referral)
3420 University Ave, Waterloo, Iowa 50701, Ph: (319) 235.2123
For information about the Workforce Investment Opportunity Act (WIOA) and PROMISE JOBS program, call (319) 291.2546
The University of Northern Iowa Center for Urban Education
800 Sycamore Street, Waterloo, IA 50703, Ph (319) 273-4772
NOT a GED program, but UNI/CUE offers, among many other services, information about post-secondary education, homework assistance, and after-school tutorials.
Prep Facilities Around Waterloo (Cities By Alphabet)
Northeast Iowa Community College Adult Education and Literacy
1625 Hwy 150 South, Calmar, IA 52132, Phone: (563) 562.3263 or (844) 642.2338 ext. 3100
Kirkwood Lifelong Learning
6301 Kirkwood Boulevard SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404, Ph: (319) 784.1510
You can find all Cedar Rapids HiSET prep sites <- here
Iowa Central Comm. Coll. HiSET Instruction
One Triton Circle, Ft. Dodge – Iowa 50501 – Ph: (515) 574-1955/1263
Hawkeye Community College-Independence Center (@Independence High)
700 20th Ave SW – Independence – IA 50644 – Phone: (319) 332.0790
Ellsworth Community College HiSET Program
1100 College Ave – Iowa Falls – Iowa 50126 – Ph: (641) 648-4611/754-1348
Manchester Regional Education Ctr
1200½ West Main St, Manchester, IA 52057, Ph: (563) 822-1016
Iowa Valley Continuing Education
206 East Church St – Marshalltown – Iowa 50158 – Phone: (641) 754-1348
Check out all Marshalltown HiSET prep options <- on this page
North Iowa Area Comm. Coll.
500 College Drive, Mason City, IA 50401, Ph: (641) 422.4278
All Mason City HiSET class locations <- are found in this post
Benton County Education Center (Kirkwood Comm. Coll.)
111 W 3rd Street, Vinton, Iowa 52349, Ph: (319) 472.2318
Are any adjustments required? Should we list a prep site? Please advise us on this page. Your feedback is appreciated.
Free online HiSET prep classesWaterloo Area GED Testing Centers (HiSET)
Hawkeye Comm. Coll.-Van G. Miller Adult Learning Center
120 Jefferson Street – Waterloo – Iowa 50701, Ph: (319) 296-4278 or (319) 296-2329 ext. 2033
Northeast Iowa Comm. Coll. (Student Ctr, Testing Ctr, Rm 111)
1625 Highway 150 South, Calmar, IA 52132, Phone: (563) 562-3263
Kirkwood Comm. College
6301 Kirkwood Boulevard SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, Phone: (319) 398-5456
Ellsworth Community College-Iowa Falls (Technology and Industry Building)
1100 College Ave – Iowa Falls – Iowa 50126 – Ph (641) 754.1348
IVCCD Education & Training Center HiSET Testing
206 E. Church Street – Marshalltown – Iowa 50158 – Ph (641) 754.1348
Iowa Valley Community College-Tama
215 W 9th Street – Tama – Iowa 52339 – Ph (641) 754-1348
Kirkwood Community College (Benton County Center)
111 West 3rd Street – Vinton – Iowa 52349 – Ph (319) 398-5456
For detailed information about the HiSET exam in Iowa (cost, prep options, eligibility criteria, scoring method, etc.), go to GED in Iowa.
Introducing The HiSET-At-Home Online Option
In the past, it was not possible to take the HiSET test over the Internet. You needed to report, in person, to an official Iowa HiSET test facility if you were looking to acquire your Iowa HSE (high school equivalency) degree.
Now, with the arrival of the new HiSET-At-Home testing option, an online option was created. A proctor checks if you do everything in line with some strict regulations. Learn more here: Online HiSET Testing.
Who Qualifies For GED Or HiSET Testing?
The High School Equivalency (HSE) exam is targeted toward persons who have not completed their high school education. The diploma that you get upon successfully completing the HiSET exam is equivalent to a standard high school diploma. The HSE diploma is all over America recognized by academic institutions and employers.
The HiSET High School Equivalency Program (formerly GED) offers prep courses at no cost designed to support you with earning a high school equivalency diploma. This credential makes you eligible for going to college and securing a decently-paying position in the workplace.
It doesn’t matter whether you’ve left school only recently or that you’ve been out of class for many years; the programs listed here work with GED students from all walks of life, of all educational levels, and of all ages. Attending these programs will advance your education and help you accomplish your academic and professional objectives.
GED prep classes focus on building and enhancing the skills required to successfully take the equivalency exam. A few years back, the State of Iowa adopted the HiSET to replace the GED as the exam students need to take and pass to earn their equivalency diplomas.
Bear in mind that if you want to take the Iowa HiSET exam, you must first reach sufficient results on the official HiSET practice test. To sit for this practice test, you are required to sign up for an adult education course provided by Iowa’s 15 community colleges.
Underage Eligibility Requirements
In Iowa, students looking to enroll in a HiSET Completion Program need to be at least 16 years old to participate. Applicants 16, 17, and 18 years of age are required to submit an Age Waiver Form issued by the last school they attended, and they also require permission from a parent or guardian to prepare for and take the HiSET exam.
All applicants need to be proficient in English as well. Some may be required to improve their English first by following an English Language course.