High School Equivalency Certificate FAQs

 

Santa Ana College Continuing Education

HiSET/GED FAQs

Want to know more about high school equivalency? Find answers to all your HiSET/GED questions!

FAQs

The HiSET exam is made up of 5 sub-tests.

  1. Language Arts - Reading: 65 minutes (80 minutes for Spanish), 50 multiple-choice questions.
  2. Language Arts - Writing: 120 minutes, 60 multiple choice questions and one essay prompt.
  3. Mathematics: 90 minutes, 55 multiple-choice questions.
  4. Science: 80 minutes, 60 multiple-choice questions.
  5. Social Studies: 70 minutes, 60 multiple-choice questions.

If you don't pass on your first try, don't worry. You can retake the HiSET up to 6 times per year.

Once you are ready to take the test, find a test center near you and schedule an appointment.

The GED exam involves 4 sub-tests.

  1. Mathematics: 115 minutes, 46-49 multiple-choice questions.
  2. Language Arts: 150 minutes, 46-51 multiple-choice and written answer questions.
  3. Social Studies: 70 minutes, 30-34 multiple-choice and written answer questions.
  4. Science: 90 minutes, 34-40 multiple-choice questions.

If you don't pass on your first try, don't worry. You can retake the GED subjects 3 times in 60 days. Check your site to make sure if they offer free retakes.

Once you are ready to take the test, find a test center near you and schedule an appointment.

Earning an equivalency certificate is usually faster than finishing a high school diploma. Some students finish in as little as one month! Others may need six to nine months. Passing your HiSET test will depend on your educational background and how much you study.

Classes to help prepare for the tests are offered 7 days a week both online and in-person. Check out our online schedule to see our current course offerings.

Our HiSET test preparation classes are free!

There are fees to take the exams. The exact cost will depend on where you take it. Check with your test center before scheduling your appointment.

Talk to your teacher or counselor about scholarships or vouchers to pay for your exams.

There are lots of different places you can take the exams. Use one of these locators to find a testing center near you!

For the HiSET, go to the link below. Enter any location and it will show you the nearest place that offers the test. Some good locations in Orange County are Santiago Canyon College in Orange, ABC Adult School in Cerritos, and Saddleback College in Mission Viejo.

Many of these sites offer the test in English or Spanish. They often will be taken on a computer.

HiSET Testing Site Locator

For the GED, go to the link below and scroll down to find "GED Test." Go there and enter any location to find the nearest testing center. Some good locations in Orange County are Quality Tutoring Services in Anaheim, Golden West College in Huntington Beach, and ABC Adult School in Cerritos,.

GED Testing Site Locator
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