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- To HiSET or Not to HiSET? That Is the New Question
August 29, 2022
To HiSET or Not to HiSET? That Is the New Question
HiSET is coming to Minnesota, which means we are no longer just a GED state but a multiple High School Equivalency (HSE) opportunity state. The HiSET is a computer-based test that reflects skills needed of a high school graduate and is comparable to the GED. Both tests allow qualified individuals to earn a High School Equivalency Diploma. HSE Diplomas, once earned, can help test takers gain higher paying wages and allow entrance into post-secondary institutions for additional credentials or degrees.
This is the first of several upcoming articles about the HiSET and how it will become another high school equivalency option in Minnesota Adult Education.
Some Key HiSET Facts
The HiSET has been operational since January 2014, is recognized by the US Department of Education, and has been adopted by 30 states and US territories as the sole HSE test or one of two HSE tests with a state-issued credential.
The full HiSET battery consists of 5 tests: Reading, Writing, Social Studies, Science, and Math. Test takers must reach a minimum score of 8 out of 20 on each test and a minimum score of 2 out of 6 on the essay portion within the writing section. The total number of points needed to pass the HiSET is 45 out of 100 – so even though a test taker could earn a score of 8 in each section, that does not mean an overall pass without a total score of 45+.
Check out this 2019 snapshot of HiSET test takers.
The Minnesota Pilot
Ten to twelve testing centers from Minnesota ABE programs will pilot the HiSET at the start of October so that we can begin to gather evidence about best practices and student performance. The goal is that by the new year, more testing centers will add the HiSET, giving more students around Minnesota the option to choose which HSE direction they would prefer. The list of the pilot test centers will be available in a couple of weeks.
Save the Dates!
Some good news is that the HiSET and GED tests are very comparable, so much of what programs do now to prepare students for the GED will also work to prepare students for the HiSET. There are webinars coming up in September and October that you don’t want to miss if you want to learn more about the HiSET tests and how they compare with the GED.
