NH High School Equivalency (HiSET)

High School Equivalency Testing

HiSET is on a new platform

The HiSET exam, used by New Hampshire to award high school equivalency credentials, has moved to PSI, a provider of licensing and certification testing for workforce development.

On Oct. 3, 2022 a new test registration and myHiSET portal is available on the PSI platform.

Test takers under the age of 18 must receive prior approval from the NHED Bureau of Adult Education to take the HiSET exam. Please see Under Age Youth for more information.

Do you assist students with preparing for the high school equivalency exam?

The Bureau of Adult Education is offering a FREE professional development workshop for teachers including an overview of content standards assessed on each subject test; lesson plans and resources; and teaching test taking strategies.

High School Equivalency Preparation Workshop
Friday, March 24th 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Room 100, Walker Building, 21 South Fruit Street, Concord, NH
Pre-registration required.
For more information

High School Equivalency Testing (HiSET)

In 2014, New Hampshire changed its high school equivalency exam from the GED to the HiSET.
Students who pass the HiSET earn a New Hampshire high school equivalency certificate.
HiSET includes five subtests that cover the content areas of reading, writing, math, social studies and science.
There is a fee for these tests.
See more information about the HiSET® on the HiSET website.
Find a HiSET program near you.
The NH Department of Education Bureau of Adult Education administers the NH HiSET testing centers and issues the NH high school equivalency certificate.

Student Registration

If you are under 18, see Underage Youth
If you are home schooled, see Home Schooled Applicants
Establish an online HiSET® account using your email address.
Make sure that the name and address of your HiSET® registration matches your government issued photo ID.
Be sure to write down your HiSET® ID number. You will need this information to schedule your test and to see your scores
Choose a testing location and date
Pay your test online using a credit card, Paypal or voucher
If you have a disability and need accommodations, see Special Accommodations

Registration Resources:

How to create a myHiSET account link

Test Delivery

The test is available in a paper-based format (PBT) and a computer-based format (CBT). Some test centers offer both formats, some test centers only offer paper-based testing.
The cost for each subtest (paper-based or computer-based) is $25.
PBT and CBT scores may be combined.
As of January 18, 2021, At Home Testing is available for test-takers who are at least 18 years of age.
- There is an additional fee of $17.50 per subtest for remote proctoring.
- Test takers should be aware that the remote test session will be video recorded by a third party and artificial intelligence will be used to ensure test security.

Fees

The first time you take a subtest, the total amount you will pay is $25 which includes both the HiSET Testing Fees and the State Fees.

If you have to retake a test within 12 months of the original test date, the cost will lower.

For Paper-Based Tests

First test is $25
Retakes are $10

For Computer-Based Tests

First test is $25
Retakes are $14.25

School districts, employers and civic organizations interested in paying the fees for test takers may purchase vouchers from HiSET.

Test Information

Content - 5 subjects
Writing - 2 hours
Math - 90 minutes, calculator allowed for all
Science - 80 minutes
Social Studies - 70 minutes
Reading - 65 minutes
Scores from tests in all years can be combined
Spanish and English versions are available; scores may be combined between the two.

Test Preparation

A number of resources are available on the HiSET website.
HiSET preparation books, e-books, and study guides are available through a number of publishers.

Practice Tests

A free HiSET® practice test is available online.

Passing Requirements

Scores will be reported on a scale of 0 to 20 for each of the five sub-tests. Passing will require a total of 45 (average of 9) with no individual subject score below 8.
To pass, the candidate must also receive a minimum of a 2 out of 6 on the essay.
Three forms will be available, so students may take two re-tests in a calendar year

High School Equivalency Transcripts

Transcripts

If you have earned a NH High School Equivalency Certificate by passing the GED Test or the HiSET Test (beginning in 2014), you may request an official High School Equivalency Transcript. There is a fee of $10.00 for each official transcript.

Send a $10.00 check or money order made payable to the State of New Hampshire, and a completed High School Equivalency Transcript Request form to the address below:

High School Equivalency Testing Program
NH Department of Education
Bureau of Adult Education
21 South Fruit Street, Suite 20
Concord, NH 03301

We must receive your original signature on the request as well as your fee. We are not able to accept requests by fax or email. Your transcript will be mailed to the address you designate and will be processed within one to two business days of receipt.

Click here for a copy of the High School Equivalency Transcript Request Form

Verification Requests

If you are an employer, a post-secondary institution, military recruiter or other party needing to verify that an individual has earned a NH high school equivalency certificate, you must fax or mail a signed release of education records from the individual.

The request should contain the following information:

The individual’s full name at time of testing
The individual’s date of birth
An approximate date of the high school equivalency certificate
The location of the testing center

Failure to provide the correct information and/or a signed release form may result in a delay in returning the verification.

The Bureau is not able to accept emailed or electronic requests.

Mail to:

High School Equivalency Office
Bureau of Adult Education
21 South Fruit Street, Suite 20
Concord, NH 03301
Fax to: (603) 271-3454