The GED is not the only High School Equivalency (HSE) test. The other common HSE test is the HiSET.
(The TASC HSE test, previously used in New York and West Virginia, was discontinued on December 31, 2021.)
Although HSE tests are not identical, they share a heavy emphasis on reading. Reading comprehension is crucial to tackling the reading, writing, social studies, science, and math components of these tests.
Yes, reading comprehension is essential for the writing component of HSE tests, because one or more reading passages known as a prompt must be read and understood before an essay can be undertaken. And yes, reading comprehension is essential for the math component of HSE tests, because the questions, expressed mostly in words, must be read and understood before number-crunching can be undertaken.
HowtoPasstheGED.com is obviously geared toward the GED. However, the materials in this website should also be helpful for those studying to pass the HiSET, as well as for those taking on standard high school assignments.
Additional information regarding the HSE tests can be found below. This information, especially with respect to the type of HSE test offered in any given state, is subject to change.
| GED | HiSET | |
| Full Name | General Education Development | High School Equivalency Test |
| Subjects | reading, writing, social studies, science, math | reading, writing, social studies, science, math |
| Tests | four (reading and writing combined) | five (reading and writing separate) |
| Options | computer | computer or paper |
| Site | test center or at home | test center (both options) or at home (computer) |
| Calculator | TI-30XS MultiView Scientific can bring with you |
computer (4-Function) paper (4-Function or Scientific) cannot bring with you |
| Cost | varies | varies |
| USA | varies by state | varies by state |
| International | 🟢 |
| GED | HiSET | |
| Alabama | 🟢 | |
| Alaska | 🟢 | |
| Arizona | 🟢 | |
| Arkansas | 🟢 | |
| California | 🟢 | 🟢 |
| Colorado | 🟢 | 🟢 |
| Connecticut | 🟢 | |
| Delaware | 🟢 | |
| District of Columbia | 🟢 | |
| Florida | 🟢 | |
| Georgia | 🟢 | 🟢 |
| Hawaii | 🟢 | |
| Idaho | 🟢 | |
| Illinois | 🟢 | 🟢 |
| Indiana | 🟢 | 🟢 |
| Iowa | 🟢 | |
| Kansas | 🟢 | |
| Kentucky | 🟢 | |
| Louisiana | 🟢 | |
| Maine | 🟢 | |
| Maryland | 🟢 | |
| Massachusetts | 🟢 | 🟢 |
| Michigan | 🟢 | 🟢 |
| Minnesota | 🟢 | 🟢 |
| Mississippi | 🟢 | 🟢 |
| Missouri | 🟢 | |
| Montana | 🟢 | |
| Nebraska | 🟢 | |
| Nevada | 🟢 | 🟢 |
| New Hampshire | 🟢 | |
| New Jersey | 🟢 | 🟢 |
| New Mexico | 🟢 | 🟢 |
| New York | 🟢 | |
| North Carolina | 🟢 | 🟢 |
| North Dakota | 🟢 | |
| Ohio | 🟢 | 🟢 |
| Oklahoma | 🟢 | 🟢 |
| Oregon | 🟢 | |
| Pennsylvania | 🟢 | 🟢 |
| Rhode Island | 🟢 | |
| South Carolina | 🟢 | |
| South Dakota | 🟢 | |
| Tennessee | 🟢 | |
| Texas | 🟢 | |
| Utah | 🟢 | |
| Vermont | 🟢 | |
| Virginia | 🟢 | |
| Washington | 🟢 | |
| West Virginia | 🟢 | |
| Wisconsin | 🟢 | |
| Wyoming | 🟢 | 🟢 |
| Puerto Rico | 🟢 |