HiSET vs GED: Differences, Cost and Which Test to Take

Take whichever test your state offers, because the HiSET and the GED are both official high school equivalency (HSE) credentials that employers, colleges and the military treat as equal to a diploma. Neither one is worth more than the other, so the real decision comes down to what is available where you live, how you prefer to test, and small differences in format, cost and retakes. If your state gives you a choice between the two, this comparison will help you pick.

At a high level the two exams cover the same ground: reading and writing, math, science and social studies. The GED is a four subject, computer only test run by GED Testing Service through Pearson VUE. The HiSET is a five subtest exam from ETS that some states offer on paper as well as on computer. Below is a side by side breakdown, followed by answers to the questions test takers actually ask.

HiSET vs GED at a glance

What is the difference between the HiSET and the GED?

The clearest structural difference is the number of tests. The GED splits the material into four subject tests: Reasoning Through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Science and Social Studies. The HiSET splits it into five subtests, because it separates language arts into two pieces, Language Arts Reading and Language Arts Writing, with the essay living inside the writing subtest.

The other big difference is delivery. The GED is computer based only and is run by GED Testing Service through Pearson VUE testing centers, with some at home options depending on your state. The HiSET comes from ETS and is offered on computer in most places, but a number of states still allow a paper and pencil version, which matters a lot if you are not comfortable working through math and reading on a screen.

Scoring works differently too. The GED reports each subject on a 100 to 200 scale, and you need at least 145 on every subject to pass. There is no averaging, so a high score in one area cannot rescue a low score in another. The HiSET uses a 1 to 20 scale per subtest, and passing requires at least 8 on each subtest, a total of at least 45 out of 100 across all five, plus at least a 2 out of 6 on the essay.

Is the HiSET easier than the GED?

Neither test is officially easier; they measure the same core skills at roughly the same level. Where people feel a difference is in format and scoring. Because the HiSET spreads its total score across five subtests and requires 45 out of a possible 100, a slightly weaker subtest can be offset by stronger ones as long as you clear the minimum of 8 on each. The GED sets a firm floor of 145 on every subject with no averaging, so you have to reach the bar independently in each area.

Test takers who prefer working on paper often describe the HiSET as more comfortable, simply because writing out math by hand and annotating a printed passage feels natural to them. People who are confident on a computer and want fewer sittings sometimes prefer the four subject GED. The content itself is comparable, so the honest answer is that the easier test is the one that fits how you study and how you like to test, not one that asks less of you.

Which states offer the HiSET, and which offer the GED?

Availability is the single most important factor, and it is set by your state. Some states offer only the GED, some offer only the HiSET, some offer both, and a few use a different high school equivalency test entirely. States also decide whether the paper version of the HiSET is available, what the minimum passing rules are, and how retakes work.

Because these policies change, do not rely on what was true a few years ago or on what a friend in another state did. Check your state department of education or workforce agency for the current list of accepted HSE tests, the testing centers near you, and any state specific score requirements before you register. If both tests are available to you, then and only then does the rest of this comparison decide the choice.

How much does each test cost?

Cost varies by state because states subsidize these exams at different levels, and some run vouchers or free testing programs. As a rough guide, the HiSET tends to run around $10 to $20 or more per subtest, while the GED is commonly around $30 or more per subject, though both numbers move depending on where you test and whether you take the exam at a center or online.

Since you pay per section on both tests, retakes add to the total. The good news is that both the HiSET and the GED let you retake individual sections without redoing the entire exam, so a single weak subject does not cost you everything you already passed. Confirm the exact per section price, any included free retakes, and the waiting period between attempts with your state before you budget, because that fine print is where the real cost lives.

Do colleges and employers accept both?

Yes. Both the HiSET and the GED are recognized across the United States as equivalent to a high school diploma, and that recognition extends to employers, community colleges and universities, and the military. Admissions offices and hiring managers care that you earned a valid state issued high school equivalency credential, not which of the two tests you sat for.

If you have a specific college or job in mind, it never hurts to confirm on their admissions or careers page, but you should not choose between the tests based on prestige, because there is no meaningful difference in how they are viewed. Pick based on availability, format and cost, and the credential you earn will open the same doors either way.

How should I study for the HiSET or GED?

Start by figuring out which subjects are your weak spots, then spend your time there rather than reviewing everything evenly. Both exams reward active practice over passive rereading, so the most efficient prep is to work through practice questions, review what you missed, and repeat. The math and language sections in particular respond to timed repetition, because pacing trips up more test takers than the actual content does.

A great way to prep is to turn your own study material into a question bank, since questions built from the guide you are already using hit exactly the topics you need. You can generate HiSET practice questions from your own study guide or build GED practice questions from the same files, then run short daily sets across all the subjects. If your prep material is on paper, you can scan your handwritten study notes into text first so they are simple to upload and reuse, which turns a stack of worksheets into a searchable, quizzable bank.

A few habits that pay off for either test:

• Take a short diagnostic in each subject first, so you know whether to focus on math, language arts, science or social studies.
• Space your practice across days instead of cramming; spaced repetition locks in facts a single long session will not.
• Practice the essay under a timer, since both exams score written response and rushing hurts your structure.
• For the HiSET, remember you need at least an 8 on every subtest plus a 45 total, so do not let any one area fall too far behind.
• For the GED, treat 145 as a hard floor in each subject and keep drilling any section that sits close to it.

The bottom line

The HiSET and the GED lead to the same place: a state issued high school equivalency credential that colleges, employers and the military accept as equal to a diploma. Let availability in your state be your first filter, then choose based on whether you prefer computer or paper, four tests or five, and the cost and retake rules where you live. Upload your notes, drill practice questions in your weak subjects, and either test will get you the credential you are after.