Both GED® and HiSET® are aligned to Common Core State Standards. However, there are key differences in the way GED® and HiSET® are structured and scored. Your instructor canhelp you determine which test is a better fit for you.
Students must choose one set of tests and cannot "mix and match" between GED® and HiSET®. Both sets of tests are offered in English and Spanish, and California allows testers to take individual subtests in either language.
Both GED® and HiSET® offer students with documented disabilities reasonable and appropriate accommodations. Students must provide documentation which verifies the disability and explains how the requested accommodations will help them pass the tests.
If you believe you have a disability which needs to be evaluated, you may contact the California Department of Rehabilitation for an assessment at a local office. Follow the steps here to get started.
If you already have documentation, click here to learn more and start on your request to HiSET® or here to learn more and start your request to GED®.
GED Ready® 1/2-length practice tests are available only online for students to purchase through a MyGED® account. Click here to create your MyGED® account.
Once you complete studying for a subject in Edgenuity, you will purchase a GED Ready® test in that subject and take it at your convenience wherever you have Internet access. You will receive your score through your MyGED® account the same day. Students who score in the "likely to pass" range should schedule the official GED® test in that subject.
HiSET® practice tests are available to schools, and EGACE has a library of tests in all subjects in both English and Spanish.
Once you complete studying for a subject in Edgenuity, your teacher will provide you with a link to a HiSET® practice test you can take at home. Students who score in the "prepared" or "well prepared" ranges should schedule the official HiSET® test in that subject.
Once your GED Ready® practice test scores indicate you are likely to pass a test in the subject you have been studying, you will schedule and pay for that test through your MyGED® account.
Official test scores are typically emailed and available on your MyGED® account by the end of the testing day.
If you do not pass a GED® test after three attempts, you must wait 60 days before you try again.
Click here to sign in to your MyGED® account.
Once your HiSET® practice test scores indicate you are prepared to pass a test in the subject you have been studying, you will schedule and pay for that test through your MyHiSET® account.
With the exception of the writing test, you will see your unofficial test scores before you leave the test room. Official scores will be emailed and available in your MyHiSET® account within a few days, and writing test scores will be emailed and available on your MyHiSET® account within a week.
If you do not pass a HiSET® test after three attempts, you must wait until the next calendar year to try again.
Click here to create a MyHiSET® account.
EGACE is an official GED® testing center in Room 9. If you would like to take your tests at our school, search for and choose Elk Grove Adult and Community Education through your MyGED® account. Then choose an available test date and time that is convenient for you.
Get a full night of sleep before your test.
Eat what you normally eat the morning of test day, but do NOT drink too much water, tea, coffee, etc. The tests are timed, and the timer does NOT stop if you need a bathroom break.
Dress in layers so you are comfortable in the test room.
Bring your government-issued photo ID with you on test day. Students who do not show a government-issued photo ID will not be allowed to test. NO EXCEPTIONS are made to this policy.
Arrive at the EGACE reception area 15 minutes before your test start time.
You may not bring anything with you into the testing room. Cell phones, purses, backpacks, keys, etc. will be checked into the reception area for you to pick up when you are done testing.
You will be given a TI-30XS calculator to use on most test questions.
You will be given dry erase boards for any work or notes you need to make during testing.
After you pass all the required subject tests, you will be notified via email by GED® or HiSET®. You will also receive an email from GED® or HiSET® that your California High School Equivalency Certificate is available to download. You will be given a limited number of free downloads, so make sure you save the download to a reliable location (e.g., your desktop, laptop, or flash drive) then also save it to your Google Drive so that you can access it again.