Economic Development
HISET® Testing
Beginning October 2020, Georgia now offers both the HiSET® exam and GED test to qualifying individuals. Both tests allow you to earn your high school equivalency credential. The HiSET® exam is one of three tests (GED, HiSET, and TASC) U.S. states and territories use to measure high school equivalency (HSE) skills. Educational Testing Services (ETS) works closely with states to ensure the HiSET® exam closely reflects the skills of a high school graduate and to provide a fair, rigorous exam.
Find out more information about the HiSet®.
HiSET Quick Facts
- HiSET® preparation classes are free. Contact your local Adult Education Center for information about classes.
- Scholarships are available to assist with HiSET® Testing fees. See your local adult education center for more information.
- The HiSET@Home is available to take from home 15 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- View all of the policies and requirements for taking the HiSET® in Georgia on the ETS website.
Frequently Asked Questions about the HiSet® Exam
The HiSET® exam is an affordable, accessible high school equivalency test option for out-of-school youth and adults without a high school diploma to demonstrate their skills and knowledge and earn a state-issued high school equivalency credential. The five subject area tests are:
- Language Arts – Reading
- Language Arts – Writing
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
Click About the HiSet® Exam to see an overview of the HiSET® Exam. Click What's on the HiSet® Exam for more information on each of the subjects.
In Georgia, if you take the test in person at a testing center, the HiSET® computer based five subject-area tests are $26.75 each ($133.75 for the full battery). If you take the test online at home, the HiSET@Home five subject-area tests are $36.25 each ($181.25 for the full battery).
The HiSET® exam can only be administered to individuals who:
- Are at least 16 years of age* (*16 and 17 year olds must enroll in a state-approved adult education program and receive approval to test. Contact your local Adult Education Center for more information.)
- Have not graduated from an accredited high school
- Are not currently enrolled in a regular high school; and
- Can provide a valid photo ID (driver’s license, state identification card, military ID or Passport).
No. You do not need to be a resident to take the HiSET® exam in Georgia; however, you must take and pass your last exam in Georgia to earn the state credential.
Visit hiset.ets.org to set up your My HiSET® Account and schedule your exam. You can find a test center near you or sign up for HiSET@Home. You can also call the ETS Customer Service at 1-855-MyHiSET (1-855-694-4738) Note: A $10 fee will be applied when registering by phone.
To pass the HiSET® exam, you must:
- Score at least 8 out of 20 on each of the five subtests
- Score at least 2 out of 6 on the essay
- Achieve a total combined score on all five HiSET® subtests of at least 45 out of 100
- Take all subject-area tests in a uniform language (English or Spanish).
The HiSET® pass score is based on a national study of high school juniors and seniors and indicates that 60 percent of graduating high school students would pass the HiSET® exam.
For the HiSET® computer-based exam, you will receive two retests per subtest at $16 each taken within 12 calendar months. For HiSET@Home, you will receive two retests per subtest at $25.50 each taken within 12 calendar months. Candidates must wait 14 days between test attempts.
Graduates should expect to receive credentials in the mail within 2-3 weeks from the final exam date.
The HiSET® diploma is one type of high school equivalency offered in Georgia. Many employers recognize the HiSET® diploma as a high school equivalency credential. HiSET® graduates may also attend technical college with free tuition if you enroll in one of the 17 areas funded by the HOPE Career Grant. Visit here for detailed information on HOPE Career Grant programs.
To meet the needs of test takers who can’t test at a test center because of public health concerns, ETS is offering the HiSET@Home option. With the HiSET@Home option, you can take any of the five subtests that make up the HiSET® exam on your own computer at home or in another secure location. Each subtest delivered at home has the same content, format and on-screen experience as the test you would take at a test center. Your at home appointment will be monitored by a human proctor online through ProctorU®. Currently, at home appointments are available 15 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information on the HiSET@Home, click here. The fee for each subject area test is $36.25 with two retests within 12 months at $25.50 each.
Both the GED test and HiSET® exam are recognized high school equivalency credentials in Georgia. For a comparison of the GED test and HiSET® exam, view this resource.
In Georgia, there are no scheduled plans for the expiration of the HiSET® Exam. Please log into your account to continue testing. If you require assistance with test preparation, contact Adult Education for more information.
Resources for Staff
HiSET® Program Overview for Georgia Adult Education Programs Webinar – September 16, 2020
HiSET® Mathematics Content and Considerations for Instruction – September 22, 2020
HiSET® Reading Content and Considerations for Instruction – September 23, 2020
ETS, the ETS logo and HiSET are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS) and used in the United States under license.