High School Equivalency Testing

The specific purpose of high school equivalency examination is the measurement of the educational development of adults who have not completed their formal high school education. Adults may earn a State of Illinois High School Diploma and thus qualify for admission to colleges or other educational institutions, meet educational requirements for employment or promotion, satisfy educational qualifications for induction into the armed services, fulfill requirements of local or state licensing boards, or gain personal satisfaction.

There are two options for HSE testing. The GED® exam (LINK) is available as a computer-based exam to be taken in-person and as an online, at home exam. The HiSET® exam (LINK) is available as a paper-based or computer-based exam to be taken in-person and as an online, at home exam.

 

ELIGIBILITY
An individual is eligible to take HSE testing given they meet all of the following conditions:

  • 18 years of age or older*
  • does not have a high school diploma or high school equivalency credential and is not currently enrolled in a secondary school
  • is a resident of the State of Illinois

Note: If an individual is 17 years old, they must present withdrawal documentation to be approved for testing.

Sixteen (16) year-olds are not eligible to take a high school equivalency exam unless currently enrolled in a Regional Safe Schools Program, an Alternative Learning Opportunities Program, or the Lincoln’s Challenge Academy pursuant to the Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/3-15.12). Those programs must petition on the student’s behalf for the student to be approved to take a high school equivalency test. All other 16-year-olds must wait until they turn 17 to test.

 

DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS FOR UNDERAGE TESTING

If an individual is 17 years old, they must present withdrawal documentation to be cleared to test:

  • If the candidate was previously enrolled in a public or private high school prior to their HSE test date, the candidate should provide a withdrawal letter from their former high school. Withdrawal letters should 1) be on school letterhead, 2) be physically or digitally signed by a school official, 3) include the candidate’s full name and date of birth, 4) include the formal withdrawal date/last date of attendance, and 5) include the candidate’s ETS identification number. Transcripts are not acceptable as proof of withdrawal unless they include the candidate’s name and date of birth, a formal withdrawal date, and the physical or digital signature of a school official.
  • If withdrawal documentation cannot be provided by the former high school, or the candidate was otherwise not enrolled in high school prior to their HSE test date, the candidate should provide documentation from the local school district or Regional Office of Education serving their area of residence indicating they are not currently enrolled in a public or private high school in their local school district. Such documentation should 1) be on organizational letterhead, 2) be physically or digitally signed by staff of the local school district or Regional Office of Education, 3) include the candidate’s full name and date of birth, 4) include the date the letter was provided, 5) indicate the candidate is not currently enrolled nor required to be enrolled in a high school in their area of residence, and 6) include the candidate’s ETS identification number.
  • If the candidate was homeschooled, the candidate may provide:
    • Documentation from the local school district or Regional Office of Education serving their area of residence indicating they are not currently enrolled in a public or private high school in their local school district. Such documentation should 1) be on organizational letterhead, 2) be physically or digitally signed by staff of the local school district or Regional Office of Education, 3) include the candidate’s full name and date of birth, and 4) include the candidate’s ETS identification number.

OR 

    • A letter from the relevant homeschooling association or program stating the program has been completed and the individual has been cleared to complete an HSE exam. The letter must include 1) the candidate’s full name and date of birth, 2) the candidate’s ETS identification number, 3) the date the letter was written, and 4) a physical or digitally time-stamped signature from staff at the relevant homeschooling association/program responsible for the candidate’s home schooling.

Proof of withdrawal must be emailed to hse@illinois.gov (preferred) or faxed to 312-814-8993. Please allow 3-5 business days for the processing of emailed documentation and 7-10 business days for the processing of faxed documentation.

Additional Considerations:

  • Test takers must create their GED or HiSET account before submitting their withdrawal letter. ICCB staff must be able to locate an account to clear the student to test.
  • Candidates should create only one account. If a candidate has created duplicate accounts, ICCB staff may select the account which is cleared to test and/or require the candidate to have the accounts merged.
  • Online Testing: To take the GED® test online, test takers must provide the required documentation (above) and complete the GED Ready® practice test and score ‘green’ within the last 60 days prior to the test date for each subject they want to take online. Candidates should review any additional information or requirements provided on the GED or HiSET websites.

 

IDENTIFICATION AND RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS

All test takers must present a current (non-expired), government-issued photo identification on test day to take a HiSET® test. In addition, pursuant to the Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/3-15.12), high school equivalency candidates must be a current Illinois resident in order to take a high school equivalency exam in the State of Illinois.

Test takers are required to provide a form of current (non-expired), government-issued photo identification on their test day to verify their identity. The government-issued photo identification must include the candidate’s full name, date of birth, signature, and photograph. Acceptable forms of identification include a driver’s license, state identification card, foreign identification card (such as a Matricula Consular), passport, or military identification. Restricted IDs may not be used for online testing.

If the photo identification card does not indicate an Illinois address, the candidate must also provide proof of residency documentation. Proof of residency documentation must include the candidate’s full name and the candidate’s current Illinois address and must be dated at least 30 days prior to the test date. Please refer to this document for examples of acceptable proof of residency documentation.

 

REGISTRATION

You can register online to take the GED® at ged.com. Although registration is done online, in-person GED® exams will be administered on computer at an official GED testing site that you select during registration. Testing fees must be paid at the time of scheduling.

You can register online to take the HiSET® exam at hiset.org. Although registration is done online, the tests will be administered in paper/pencil format or on a computer at an official HiSET® testing site that you select during registration.  Testing fees must be paid at the time of scheduling.

When registering, test takers can use the ILSAVE26 discount code at check out to reduce the cost of each module by up to $26. Look for the promo or discount code box to apply the discount.

 

COST

The GED® exam is $144.00 for the full battery of testing, which is $36 per test module. Test-takers who do not pass any of the modules are eligible for one retake at no cost.

The HiSET® exam is $115.00 for the full battery of in-person computer or paper testing, which is $23 per test module. Test-takers who do not pass any of the modules are eligible for two retakes at no cost. Online proctored testing is $162.50 for the full battery of testing, which is $32.50 per test module.

 

TEST CONTENTS

The 2014 Series GED® consists of four content areas:

  • Reasoning Through Language Arts – reading comprehension and writing
  • Mathematical Reasoning – understanding math concepts, measurements, and equations; and applying math concepts to solve real-life problems
  • Science– applying science concepts, knowing how to read charts and graphs displaying scientific data, and using reasoning to interpret scientific information
  • Social Studies– applying social studies concepts, knowing how to read graphs and charts displaying social studies data, and using reasoning to interpret social studies information

 

The HiSET® exam consists of five content areas:

  • Language Arts – Reading – measures your ability to understand, interpret, and analyze a broad range of literary and informational texts
  • Language Arts – Writing – measures your skill in recognizing and producing standard American English, editing and revising written text, and generating and organizing ideas in writing
  • Mathematics – measures mathematical knowledge and competencies
  • Science – measures your ability to use science content knowledge, apply principles of scientific inquiry, and interpret and evaluate scientific information
  • Social Studies – measures your ability to analyze and evaluate information from a variety of social studies content areas

 

Tests are administered in English and Spanish. Candidates may mix and match the English and Spanish language options.

You can test three times on each subject without waiting. After the third attempt, you must wait 60 days before another attempt.

 

TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS

Not all individuals can be fairly tested under standard conditions. If you have a documented learning, physical or emotional disability, you may qualify for accommodations during your exam. If approved, accommodations are provided at no additional charge.

Information on how to request accommodations for the GED® exam can be found at https://www.ged.com/about_test/accommodations/.

Information on how to request accommodations for the HiSET® exam can be found at https://hiset.org/hiset-test-accommodations/.

 

 TEST PREPARATION

HSE test preparation classes are offered free of charge at local adult education programs. Test takers are strongly encouraged to prepare for their exams at a local adult education program. To find classes near you, use the Program Locator (THIS IS A NEW LINK) or call or text 1-800-321-9511.