What states accept the HiSET exam?

The HiSET is currently accepted in approximately 23 states and US territories including Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Tennessee, Wyoming, and others. Some states accept multiple equivalency exams (HiSET, GED, and/or TASC). Check your state's Department of Education for current accepted exams.

What is the passing score for the HiSET?

To pass the HiSET, you must score at least 8 out of 20 on each of the five subtests, achieve at least 2 out of 6 on the essay component of the Language Arts Writing subtest, and earn a total combined score of at least 45 out of 100 across all subtests. Failing one subtest does not prevent you from passing others — retakes are subtest-specific.

How is HiSET different from the GED?

Both HiSET and GED earn a high school equivalency credential, but they have different formats, scoring, and state availability. The GED is available in more states and has a higher difficulty threshold (requiring a college-and-career readiness standard). HiSET is generally considered more accessible and includes a Social Studies subtest as a separate component. Some states accept only one of the two — verify your state's requirements.

Can I take HiSET subtests separately?

Yes. You can take one, two, or all five subtests in a single session, or spread them across multiple sessions. Each passed subtest counts permanently — you only need to retake subtests you don't pass. This flexibility makes the HiSET especially manageable for working adults or students with limited study time to focus on one subject at a time.

Is there a calculator on the HiSET math subtest?

Yes, the HiSET provides a calculator (typically a Texas Instruments TI-30XS) for approximately half of the mathematics questions. The other half requires calculating without a calculator. Practice arithmetic fluency alongside calculator skills — you need to be prepared for both portions.

HiSET Practice Test PDF (Free Printable 2026 June)

Free HiSET practice test with questions and answer explanations. Prepare for the 2026 June exam with instant scoring.

HiSET - High School Equivalency TestJun 3, 20265 min read

HiSET Practice Test PDF – Free Printable High School Equivalency Prep

Preparing for the HiSET (High School Equivalency Test)? A printable HiSET practice test PDF gives you an effective offline study format for all five subtests — Language Arts Reading, Language Arts Writing, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Working through questions by hand, annotating passages, and practicing math without a calculator builds the academic skills and test-taking confidence that HiSET success requires. This page provides a free PDF download and a subject-by-subject preparation guide.

The HiSET is one of three high school equivalency exams accepted in the United States (alongside the GED and TASC). It's offered in 23 states plus the US territories and is administered by ETS. Passing the HiSET earns a high school equivalency credential recognized by employers and colleges nationwide.

Important: The HiSET exam covers multiple domains. Allocate more study time to unfamiliar topics while maintaining review of strong areas.

📄Free HiSET Practice Test PDF

What the HiSET Covers by Subtest

Each HiSET subtest tests academic knowledge and skills at the level expected of a high school graduate. Working through all five subtests in your HiSET practice test PDF gives you a baseline that reveals which subjects need the most focused preparation.

Language Arts: Reading (50 questions, 65 minutes)

Reading passages include literary texts (fiction, poetry, drama) and informational texts. Questions test main idea, supporting detail, inference, vocabulary in context, and author's purpose. For literary passages, know the difference between theme (the message) and topic (the subject). For informational passages, practice identifying the author's argument and the evidence used to support it.

Language Arts: Writing (52 questions + essay, 120 minutes)

Part I (52 questions, 60 min): multiple-choice grammar and usage questions. Part II: 45-minute essay responding to a prompt. Grammar questions test subject-verb agreement, pronoun reference, sentence structure (fragments, run-ons), punctuation, and word choice. The essay is scored 1–6 on a holistic rubric — a clear position with two or three supporting paragraphs earns a passing score.

Mathematics (50 questions, 90 minutes)

Math covers numbers and operations (50%), algebra (30%), and geometry/data (20%). A calculator is provided for about half the test. Know your arithmetic fundamentals (fractions, decimals, percents), solving linear equations, area and perimeter formulas, and interpreting graphs and tables. Unlike the GED, the HiSET math section includes more basic arithmetic — strong fundamentals are essential.

Science (50 questions, 80 minutes)

Science questions are based on reading passages, data tables, and graphs — not pure recall. Life science (~40%), Earth science (~20%), and physical science (~40%) are all covered. Practice reading data and drawing conclusions from it before answering. The science subtest is largely about scientific reasoning, not memorized facts.

History (~25%), Civics (~25%), Economics (~20%), and Geography (~15%) are the content areas. Questions are usually paired with a primary source document, map, or chart. Read the source carefully before choosing an answer — many wrong answers require outside knowledge the source doesn't support.

How to Use This HiSET PDF

Take the full PDF as a diagnostic test first. Score each subtest separately to identify your weakest areas. Then spend the next 2–4 weeks targeting those specific subjects with focused practice before retaking the full practice. After the PDF, take online HiSET practice tests at our HiSET practice test page for instant subtest scoring.

Start Practice Test

✓Review fraction operations: adding/subtracting with unlike denominators, multiplying, dividing
✓Practice percent problems: percent of a number, percent change, finding the original amount
✓Study subject-verb agreement: compound subjects, collective nouns, indefinite pronouns
✓Practice identifying run-on sentences and comma splices — rewrite them correctly
✓Work on reading comprehension annotation: main idea per paragraph, transition words
✓Practice essay writing: clear thesis + 2–3 supporting body paragraphs + conclusion
✓Review scientific method: hypothesis, variable, control group, data interpretation
✓Study US civics: branches of government, Bill of Rights, election process
✓Practice linear equation solving: isolating the variable in 2-step equations
✓Take at least one full 5-subtest timed HiSET practice run before your exam date

Free HiSET Practice Tests Online

After completing this PDF, take full online HiSET practice tests at our HiSET practice test page — instant subtest-level scoring and explanations for every question. The online tests let you track progress across multiple attempts and identify whether your preparation is actually moving your scores toward the passing threshold in each subtest. Use both formats for the most complete preparation.

HiSET Study Tips

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What's the best study strategy for HiSET?

Focus on weak areas first. Use practice tests to identify gaps, then study those topics intensively.

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How far in advance should I start studying?

Most successful candidates begin 4-8 weeks before the exam. Create a structured study schedule.

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Should I retake practice tests?

Yes! Take each practice test 2-3 times. Focus on understanding why answers are correct, not memorizing.

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What should I do on exam day?

Arrive 30 min early, bring required ID, read questions carefully, flag difficult ones, and review before submitting.