High School Equivalency HSE Testing Program

Combining GED^® and HiSET^® Scores

Effective November 23, 2022, Massachusetts High School Equivalency candidates will be able to combine GED^® and HiSET^® subtest scores to complete the requirements of their High School Equivalency Credential.

Candidates may take subtests for either exam in any order.

To pass, candidates must score a minimum of 145 on each GED^® subtest. Candidates must also score a minimum of 8 on each HiSET^® subtest (minimum 2 for the essay on HiSET^® LA Writing) And an average of 9 or higher for all HiSET^® subtests.

For example, consider three students who need to pass HiSET Social Studies and HiSET Math:

Student A Failed. They earned passing scores on the HiSET Social Studies (9) and HiSET Math (8) subtests, but the HiSET scores did not average 9.

Student B Passed. They earned passing scores on the HiSET Social Studies (10) and HiSET Math (8) subtests, and the HiSET scores averaged at least 9.

Student C Passed. They earned passing scores on the HiSET Social Studies (9) and HiSET Math (9) subtests, and the HiSET scores averaged at least 9.

Candidates will continue see their subtest scores on the respective assessment websites, (GED /HiSET ) and the combined scores will be available when the student completes their testing and the transcript is generated at DiplomaSender .

Free HiSET^® Testing for MA Residents Starting February 6, 2023

Effective February 6, 2023, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will pay for a candidate's first HiSET^® test in each subject plus two retakes per subject per lifetime. After three attempts, the candidate is responsible for all future test fees.

When scheduling your HiSET^® test, use the applicable promo code:

• Language Arts — Reading: MAHISETREADING
• Language Arts — Writing: MAHISETWRITING
• Social Studies: MAHISETSOCIALSTUDIES
• Science: MAHISETSCIENCE
• Mathematics: MAHISETMATH

Free GED^® Testing for MA Residents Starting September 12, 2022

Effective February 12, 2022, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will pay for a candidate's first GED^® test in each subject plus two retakes per subject per lifetime. After three attempts, the candidate is responsible for all future test fees.

In-person tests:

• First test: MAFREEGED1
• First retest: MARETAKE
• Second retest: MAFREEGED1

Online proctored exams:

• First test: MAFREEGED1
• First retest: OPMARETAKE
• Second retest: MAFREEGED1

Any payment of High School Equivalency HSE exams by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is contingent on available funding.

Welcome to the Massachusetts State High School Equivalency Testing Program. The Massachusetts High School Equivalency Team, housed within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, oversees:

• The issuing of the Massachusetts High School Equivalency credential, a nationally-recognized document that is accepted by virtually all colleges, universities, and employers in the country as exactly equivalent to a high school diploma; and
• The administration of the tests required to earn the credential.

• DiplomaSender
  • If you previously received a GED^® or HiSET^® credential from Massachusetts but need official verification of that or a transcript of your scores.
  • If you have recently passed the GED^® test or the HiSET^® and are wondering where your credential and transcripts are.
  • If you are a school, college, employer, or other third-party entity seeking to verify that an individual previously received a GED^® or HiSET^® credential from Massachusetts.

Annually, over 3000 individuals attain their High School Equivalency in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education produced this video to help you discover how you can achieve your second chance:

• What you Need to Know to get your High School Equivalency Credential

• Lo que necesitas saber para obtener tu credencial de equivalencia de high school

Disclosure Statement: Reference in this website to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Our office is not responsible for and does not in any way guarantee the accuracy of information in other sites accessible through links herein. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE may supplement this list with other services and products that meet the specified criteria. For more information contact: HSET@mass.gov or 781-338-6625.

Last Updated: July 29, 2026