High School Equivalency Exams Comparison

Still wondering what the differences are between the high school equivalency exams, starting with the new GED test in January 2012?

Check out this chart developed by New Readers Press and ProLiteracy for a side-by-side comparison of the GED, HiSET, and TASC exams.

The chart lists the subject areas, the scoring methods, and the costs, along with specifying the publisher and access methods for all three exams.

If you are unsure which exam your state offers, you can reference this list for more information.

Maine opts for HiSET test

Starting January 2014, Maine will offer the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) instead of the GED as a high school equivalency test.

As part of the redesign of the GED, all GED test-takers must take it electronically. Currently Maine offers the GED by pen-and-paper and higher education officials in Maine feared the state would not be able to convert its 76 testing sites in time for the changeover.

Although it is free for individual test-takers in Maine since the state covers the cost of high school equivalency tests, the new GED would have cost the state $80 per test set, which includes the exams for the five different sections of the GED.

The HiSET costs Maine $50 per test set and includes two free retests. It is available electronically or through traditional pen-and-paper tests.

Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire and Tennessee have also dropped the GED in favor of the HiSET test.

For more information on the tests available in each state, refer to our high school assessment chart.

New GED 2014 Online Guide Available in November

In 2014, the GED Test is being updated to a new test that better measures equivalency to today’s graduating high school seniors as well as the skills today’s employers need.  The updated test is no longer just a test, but “a start-to-finish experience for test-takers.”

Part of the comprehensive experience is the new MyGED Web Portal that will be available in November. This will help GED test-takers in every step of the process, including test registration, preparation class information and score delivery, making it easier to navigate the system of completing the GED and moving on to other opportunities.

Students will have online access to the MyGED portal and it can be accessed on a smartphone. They can use it to find test locations and local preparation classes. Official practice tests are available through the website and test-takers will get feedback on the kinds of questions they missed and information on how to follow up, including specific pages to study in training materials they have at home.

State Directory on HSEs

The direction of the new GED test and other high school equivalency tests continues to be fluid in many states. Some states have decided to go with alternatives to the GED test. It’s important to note that even in those states that choose an alternative, the GED Testing Service still plans on making its test available at their Pearson Vue centers. This chart shows (as of today) which states have chosen which tests, and which states are still deciding. Don’t forget to encourage your students already studying for the current test to take it by December 31, 2013.