Hi-SET Prep
The Hi-SET is a test you took to get your the equivalent of a high school diploma in Massachusetts. Passing the Hi-SET takes time, resources, and preparation. We'll walk you through aspects of the test and some steps to get you started in your prep.
STEP #1: know what the hi-set is
You may have heard of the GED; the Hi-SET replaced the GED as the official HSE test of Massachusetts. The Hi-SET stands for High School Equivalency Test. The test is made by a national company, the Educational Testing Service, or ETS, and 22 other states use it to decide who gets a high school equivalency (HSE) credential.
If you pass the Hi-SET, you get an HSE. An HSE is basically like a high school diploma. It qualifies you to go onto post-secondary education (PSE) and to get access to higher paying jobs.
STEP #2: know what's on the test
The Hi-SET tests you on five subjects: Math, Reading, Writing, Social Studies, and Science. Every test is made up of entirely multiple choice questions, except for the Writing Test, which also has an essay component.
We've created this chart to help you know what each test contains:
The test is designed to cover an entire four years of high school content, but it's not a test that's designed to be really difficult to pass. According to ETS, the Hi-SET is designed so that about 60% of high schoolers would pass on the first attempt.
In order to pass, you need to do the following things:
get a scaled score of at least 8 on each of the five individual subtests
score at least 2 out of 6 on the essay portion of the writing test
have a total combined, scaled* score on all five subtests of at least 45
The difficulty of each test also depends on your comfort with the subject:
Good at understanding information from passages?
Check out the Reading, Social Studies, and Science Tests
Comfortable with correcting grammar + writing an essay?
You might want to start with the Writing Test
Love solving problems?
You might want to save Math for last. Out of all the tests, it covers the widest range of topics and takes the longest to prep for
There is no one-size fits all for how soon you'll be ready to take the test. Some people are ready to take it right away and other people need several months to a year to prepare. If you are still building up your reading level and/or have been out of school for a while, it might take longer to prepare and pass the Hi-SET.
*What is a scaled score? Basically, when ETS tallies up your score, harder questions count for more points than easy questions. In other words, if you get an easy question wrong, it doesn’t hurt you as much as getting a hard question wrong.
STEP #3: know your testing options
Age
To take the Hi-SET you need to be at least 16. If you're 16 or 17, you'll need a formal withdrawal letter from your most recent school confirming that you no longer attend there. If you're 18.
Language
You can either take the Hi-SET in English or Spanish. However, you must take the whole test in ONE language. For example, If you take and pass the English language version of the Reading Test, you have to complete all the other tests in English.
Taking and Re-Taking
The test, in total, is about 7 hours long, but you can break it up by subject and take it over the course of several weeks or months. You can also retake each test up to two times (in addition to the first time) every year if you don't pass the first time.
Accommodations
If you experience a learning disability, you may be eligible for longer test times, more breaks, and other accommodations. The process to apply takes about 6 weeks to complete, and you need to do so before scheduling your Hi-SET tests. Get more info here.
Test Centers
You can either take the Hi-SET at a local test center or at home. There are two formats for the Hi-SET test: Computer or Paper. Most test centers in Boston only offer computer-based tests, and all tests at home are computer-based.
A test center routinely open for English language computer-based Hi-SET tests is Tech Computers Inc. You can find other test centers when you schedule your test on the ETS Hi-SET Test Taker Portal, or check the Massachusetts Official HSE Test Centers List.
Paying for the Test
Based on the format you take it in, on a computer, on paper, at a test center, or on your computer at home, the cost of the Hi-SET can change a little bit. Overall, you can expect to pay $150 dollars total to take all five Hi-SET tests. The good news is, you don't have to pay for all of it. If you stick to your Ed Plan at MTW and are attending MTW regularly, we can cover the cost of the test. If you are enrolled in DTA, you may be eligible for test vouchers. As of fall 2022, the state of Massachusetts has offered FREE Hi-SET tests by using the code MAHISET upon checkout.
STEP #4: get a sense of your skills
The best way to see if you're ready for the Hi-SET is to take a practice test in the subject you feel most comfortable in. If you get a passing score, you are likely ready for test day, or at least very close to it.
If you don't get a passing score (about 60% or more of the questions right), chances are you'll want to connect to a Hi-SET prep program in the area.
STEP #5: find a program
Hi-SET Programs are designed to help you prep for and take your Hi-SET tests. Most are free, have classes available from September to June each year, and provide resources like paying for the test, applying for accommodations, and connections to post-secondary education programs after you complete the test.
Your choice of program depends on a few things: where you live, what language you plan to take the Hi-SET in, and if you are more comfortable with group or individual support. We've put together a starting list options, which you can find on our MTW Hi-SET Program Map.
Below we've selected a few programs we've worked with before to give you a sense of ones you can trust:
STEP #6: prep for each test
In addition to connecting to and attending a program, you'll be expected to do the following things at MTW:
Set Hi-SET related SMART goals in YD Check-Ins
Complete practice tests and study content review packets during YOU time
Sign up for a volunteer ed coach to tutor you in concepts that are challenging during YOU time
Complete a test tracker, noting the practice tests you've taken and your scores on them
Communicate with the Hi-SET Support Manager when you would like to schedule your tests
STEP #7: get ready for test day
Once you're set with your test date, you'll need a few things in order to be ready:
Get your Mass ID; it's a requirement of test centers, so they can prove who you say you are.
Create an ETS Profile, where you register as a test taker, apply for accommodations, schedule tests, and receive scores.
Enter your unavailability in Deputy for the day you plan to take the test.
Set an alarm and make a transportation plan for test day, with some buffer time, so you can make it there on time and be in a good head space to take your test.
Read up on the experience of taking a test at home or know what to bring to a test center
STEP #8: order your diploma
Just like a high school diploma, you want to make sure you have a paper copy of your amazing achievement! Once you complete your Hi-SET, you can order your diploma in the mail for free.
Need a mailing address? Send it to us and we can give it to you on shift. When you order it, enter this address:
[Your Name]
c/o Youth Development Department
242 E Berkeley Street
Boston, MA 02118
Want more support?
We want to work with you to make sure you know the ins and outs of the Hi-SET process, connect you to a program, help you schedule your tests.
Talk to your YDM about scheduling an appointment with our Hi-SET Support Manager, a person at MTW that works alongside youth on the team as they achieve their goals in education.
Need more prep materials?
Check out our Google Folder of resources, with info on the test, practice tests, content review, and more.