What is the HiSET?
The HiSET, or High School Equivalency Test, is an examination offered by some U.S. states and territories. The HiSET is intended to allow adults without a high school diploma to demonstrate the equivalent level of knowledge, and students who pass the HiSET are considered high school graduates. It is one of three High School Equivalency (HSE) exams used in the United States (the others are the Test of General Educational Development (GED) and the Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC)). Educational Testing Service (ETS), a standardized testing organization known for exams such as the GRE and TOEFL, is the administrator of the HiSET, and registration for the test must be completed via the ETS website.
Overview of HiSET Content
The HiSET consists of five subtests: Language Arts – Reading, Language Arts – Writing, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. With the exception of one essay in the writing section, all of the questions on the HiSET are multiple choice. The total timing for the HiSET is 425 minutes, but the individual subtests vary in length and can range from 65 minutes (reading) to 120 minutes (writing). Each subtest is divided into several categories. For example, the social studies subtest includes questions on history, civics/government, economics, and geography. Furthermore, HiSET subtests evaluate a number of different academic skills, such as analysis, interpretation, and synthesis.
HiSET Formats and Scoring
ETS makes the HiSET available either as a paper-and-pencil test or in computerized format. Students who take the computerized HiSET will receive their unofficial scores immediately after the test, and their official scores will be posted online within 3-5 business days (paper test scores generally take much longer). For each of the five HiSET subtests, students are awarded scaled scores of 1 to 20, and the writing section's essay is scored separately on a scale of 1 to 6. The HiSET total score, 5-100, is the sum of the five subtest scores. The passing standard observed by most states that offer the HiSET is a scaled score of at least 8 on each subtest, an essay score of 2 or higher, and a total scaled score of 45 or more. However, some states have different benchmarks. New Jersey, for example, requires at least 9 on each of the subtests, although they observe the same essay and total score minimums as other states.
The HiSET Compared to the GED and TASC
The HiSET, GED, and TASC all offer students the opportunity to earn a high school equivalency credential. These exams also evaluate skills in similar subject areas. The primary differences are in availability and structure. Some states offer only one of these tests, while others provide two or three. The HiSET and TASC include five subtests, while the GED features only four sections.
HiSET Acceptance at Universities
In most cases, students who pass the HiSET may be considered for acceptance to postsecondary degree programs, assuming they meet other minimum admissions criteria (such as the SAT). Some universities require minimum HiSET scores in combination with other standardized tests. Missouri State University, for example, bases eligibility for admission on a combination of the HiSET and the ACT or SAT. If a hypothetical applicant submits an ACT total score of 17, he or she must receive at least a 75 on the HiSET to be considered. Conversely, with an ACT score of 23, the applicant would only need to score a 50 on the HiSET.
HiSET Acceptance for Employment
The HiSET is frequently taken to facilitate further education, which is the most reliable route to secure employment. However, some career paths are not necessarily dependent on higher education, and the HiSET can be a terminal credential for these types of job applicants. Many employers that require job candidates to have a high school diploma, such as the U.S. military or law enforcement agencies, will accept the HiSET. Students who pass the HiSET can also be eligible for various federal programs intended only for high school graduates, such as loans or grants.
HiSET Scoring Data
According to ETS, the subtest passing rates for all test attempts during the most recent year for which statistics are available are 84.15% (reading), 93.01% (writing), 68.95% (math), 85.69% (science), and 83.03% (social studies). The overall HiSET pass rate (total score of 45 or higher) is 75.1%. About 51% of students who take the HiSET in Spanish pass the exam. Data are based on approximately 24,000 test-takers in 12 states.