What it is
If you didn't finish high school, a high-school equivalency (HSE) credential shows the same academic skills a diploma does — accepted for college, job training, and many employers. The two main tests are the GED (GED Testing Service) and the HiSET (ETS). Which one you take depends on your state — some offer one, some both. Both cover the same core subjects.
Format & structure
- GEDFour subject tests, computer-based: Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. You can take them one at a time.
- HiSETFive subtests: Math, Language Arts–Reading, Language Arts–Writing, Science, and Social Studies. Offered on computer or paper, depending on the site.
- Take them in piecesFor both, you don't have to test all subjects at once — schedule them as you're ready.
How it's scored
- GEDEach subject is scored 100–200; 145+ passes (equivalency). Higher tiers signal College Ready (165+) and College Ready + Credit (175+).
- HiSETEach subtest is scored 1–20, with a minimum per subtest and an overall total required to pass (your state sets the exact bar).
Passing earns your state's official high-school equivalency credential.
Registration & cost
Register on the official site — GED.com for the GED or the ETS HiSET site — and pick a testing center (some offer online proctoring for the GED). Costs are modest and vary by state — often around $15–$40 per subject, and some states subsidize or offer vouchers. Age and residency rules also vary (commonly 16 or 18+, sometimes with an exit form).
Test dates & timing
Both tests are offered year-round at testing centers, scheduled when you're ready — subject by subject. You can retake individual subjects you don't pass (waiting periods and retake fees apply).
How to prepare
- Free official practiceGED Ready and HiSET official practice tests predict whether you're ready to pass
- Adult-education classesFree local classes and online prep help you brush up subject by subject
- Focus on your weak subjectsYou test one subject at a time — start with your strongest to build momentum, or your weakest to tackle it first
Strategies & tips
- Take one subject at a timeNo need to do all four/five at once — pass them as you're ready
- Use the official practice testIt tells you if you're likely to pass before you pay for the real thing
- Answer everythingThere's no penalty for wrong answers
- Know your stateWhich test is offered, the cost, and the passing bar all vary by state
How scores are used
An HSE credential is accepted like a high-school diploma for most colleges, job-training programs, the military, and employers. The higher GED tiers (College Ready / + Credit) can even place you out of some college remedial courses. Colleges evaluate it alongside the rest of your application.
Accommodations & support
Both programs offer accommodations for documented disabilities (extended time and more) — request them through GED Testing Service or ETS ahead of your test date.
Frequently asked questions
- GED or HiSET — which should I take?Whichever your state offers; some offer both. They're treated equally as equivalency.
- How old do I have to be?Usually 16 or 18+, depending on your state's rules.
- Do I take all subjects at once?No — you can test one subject at a time, at your own pace.
- Is it accepted for college?Yes — an HSE credential is accepted like a diploma by most colleges and employers.
- Can I test online?The GED offers an online-proctored option in many areas; HiSET availability varies.
Key facts
- WhatHigh-school equivalency (GED & HiSET)
- SubjectsMath, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies
- GED score100–200 (145+ passes)
- HiSET score1–20 per subtest
- Cost~$15–$40 per subject (varies by state)
- EarnsState HS equivalency credential
Where to learn more
Confirm your state's rules and current details on the official sites: