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High School Equivalency (HSE) Testing Program

HiSET ® / GED© Comparisons

HiSET ®
(5 Subtests/Battery)
Both computer-delivered and paper-based testing 		GED©
(4 Modules/Battery)
Computer-delivered testing only (except for accommodations)
Language Arts-Reading (65 minutes)
  • 50 multiple Choice Questions
 Reasoning through Language Arts (150 minutes)
(51 Questions)
  • Section 1 — (27 minutes*)
  • Section 2 — Extended Response (45 minutes)
  • Student Break (10 minutes)
  • Section 3 — (60 minutes)
*The time allotted for Sections 1 and 3 may vary slightly, but the total test time will always be 150 minutes.
Language Arts-Writing (120 minutes)
  • 61 Questions
    • 60 multiple choice questions
    • 1 Essay
Mathematics (90 minutes)
  • 55 Multiple Choice Questions
Calculator: TI-30XS scientific calculator 		Mathematical Reasoning (115 minutes)
(46 Questions)
  • Part 1 (first 5 questions) calculator not allowed
  • Part 2 (remaining 41 questions) calculator allowed
  • Possible Item Types:
    • Multiple choice
    • Drag-and-drop
    • Hot spot
    • Fill in the blank
Calculator: TI-30XS scientific calculator
Science (80 minutes)
  • 60 multiple choice questions
Calculator: TI-30XS scientific calculator 		Science (90 minutes)
(34 Questions)
  • Possible Item Types:
    • Multiple choice
    • Short answer
    • Drag-and-drop
    • Hot spot
    • Fill in the blank
Calculator: TI-30XS scientific calculator
Social Studies (70 minutes)
  • 60 Multiple Choice Questions
 Social Studies (70 minutes)
(35 questions)
  • Possible Item Types:
    • Multiple choice
    • Drag-and-drop
    • Hot spot
    • Fill in the blank
Calculator: TI-30XS scientific calculator
Scoring:
scaled-score range per subtest: 0–20
To pass: no subtest score lower than 8 and a battery total of 45 or above. 		Scoring:
scaled-score range per module: 100–200
To pass: a score on each module of 145 or above.
For more detailed information on the content and structure of the HiSET ®, go to HiSET ®: Test at a Glance (TAAG) Information Brief — 2019. For more detailed information on the content and structure of the GED© test, go to GED®: Get Your GED.
Fee Structure:
Computer Based Test:
  • $103.75/battery ($24.75 for the 1st subtest, $19.75 for the remaining 4 subtests in the initial battery)
  • $9/retest (up to two per subtest, within one year of initial test)
  • $10.75/subtest (after one year from initial test)

Paper Based Test:
  • $125/ battery
    ($29 for the 1st subtest, $24 for the remaining 4 subtests in the initial battery)
  • $9/retest (up to two per subtest, within one year of initial test)
  • $15/subtest (after one year from initial test)
 Fee Structure:
  • $125/battery ($31.25/module)
  • $10/retest (up to two per module, within one year of initial test)
  • $31.25/retest (after one year from initial test)

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. 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: December 6, 2021

 
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Disclaimer: A 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.