HiSET High School Equivalency Test

High School Pre-Equivalency for Adult Basic Education

Students interested in high school equivalency classes should contact the Adult Basic Education Center or email ABECRegistration@elgin.edu or call 847-214-6904. An assessment of academic skills helps determine appropriate placement and success in classes. 

Registration

The Pearson GED testing is computer-based testing (CBT).

The HiSET test is paper-based and is administered most Mondays at Elgin Community College. Registration is on the hiset.ets.org website.

  • Register and pay by visiting ged.com or HiSET.
    • Have a credit or debit card ready to pay for your tests—$ 30 per test. for GED or $10 for each HiSET subtest.
    • An ID number will be assigned to you by GED or HiSET. Keep this number safe; write that number down. You will need it later.
    • You can register for one test or two at a time.
    • Indicate you want to test at ECC.
  • Put the testing dates on your calendar.

Fees

  • $30 per test, due at the time of registration for GED.
  • $10 fee to retest/reschedule for GED Mathematical Reasoning (115 minutes), Reasoning through Language Arts (150 minutes), Social Studies (70 minutes), and Science (90-minute test).
  • $10 per HiSET subtest – Language Arts - Reading, Language Arts - Writing, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.

Rescheduling

You will be assigned test dates when you register. Be sure to mark them on your calendar and come to the test! If you miss your test date, you must return to ged.com or HiSET to reschedule the test and pay a retest/reschedule fee.

Retesting

You may take each GED test three (3) times in a calendar year. If you do not pass after three attempts, you must wait 60 days after the third attempt. There is no limit on the number of times you can retest. The fee is $10 to retest. New tests are distributed every January.

Retake a HiSET Subtest

You can retake it if you do not meet the minimum HI SET score requirements. You can only take a subtest up to three times in a calendar year, so we encourage you to study before scheduling your next appointment.

There are no additional ETS test fees if you retake the subtest within 12 months of purchasing it. However, local test center fees may apply. If you want to retake a test after the 12 months, you'll have to pay the ETS test fee, plus any state or test center fees.

On Test Day at ECC

Please arrive at the testing center, Building B, Room B115, 15 minutes before we begin check-in. Check-in begins 15 minutes before test time - spring, fall, or summer semester. It is not necessary to be any earlier than that. But do not be late. Late arrivals will not be allowed to test.

  • Bring valid identification on test day. These items show your name, photo, Illinois address, and signature. Accepted forms of IDs are:
    • Driver's license
    • State ID
    • Valid passport
    • Military ID
    • No other ID will be accepted, but the four forms are listed above.
    • If you forget your ID, you will not be allowed to test.
  • Your name must be on the test roster to be allowed to test. Testing is by appointment only – no drop-ins.
  • As soon as check-in is completed, we will begin testing.
  • You must turn your cell phones off. If your cell rings while testing progresses, you will be dismissed, and your answer sheet voided.
  • Only scheduled breaks are allowed. If you return late, your test time will be reduced by the time you are late.

Remember, not everyone works as quickly as you do – you may need to wait quietly after completing your test until time has expired. Please check with the proctor, sign out, and return the locker key.

Supplies

We will supply everything you need for testing – pencils, pens, and paper.

Scoring Information

Contact the Geneva Regional Office of Education (ROE) for scores by calling 630-232-5958 or visiting ged.com and viewing your MyGed.com account.

  • The minimum passing score on each test is 145. Any test score below 145 must be retaken until 145 is reached.
  • The total score necessary to obtain your GED is 580.
    • 145 x 4 = 580. So you must score better than 145 on each test to pass.
  • You must also have passed the Illinois Constitution exam at the ROE or ECC.
  • If you score 165 on the GED Mathematical Reasoning and/or 165 on the Reasoning through Language Arts, you meet the college-ready math, English, and reading requirements.
  • If you passed this test your junior year in high school, a letter - on school letterhead – can be given to Geneva stating you did pass this test.

Most states use the HiSET passing criteria, which means to pass the HiSET exam, you need to:

  • 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 scaled score on all five HiSET subtests of at least 45 out of 100.

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.

  • HiSET - High School Equivalency Test Total - 100.
  • HiSET - Math – college-ready score is 15 for math.
  • HiSET - Language Arts Reading – college-ready score is 15 for reading.
  • HiSET - Language Arts Writing - passing score is 15, plus the essay score four is required to place in Eng101.
  • HiSET - Essay - passing score is four plus a writing score of 15 to place in English 101.
  • HiSET - Social studies - ETS recommends a passing score of 15, but ECC does not grant any course placement for social studies.
  • HiSET- Science - ETS recommends a passing score of 15, but ECC does not grant any course placement for science.

Questions?

Call 847-214-7150 / 7219 if you have any questions about testing at ECC.

Students can call 877-EXAM-GED (877-392-6433) or ged.com for more information.