Test Description

GED® Exam

Test in four subjects

• Reasoning through Language Arts
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Science
• Social Studies

For more detailed information on the content and structure of the GED® test, go to GED®: GED About the Test.

HiSET® Exam

Test in five subjects

• Language Arts Reading
• Language Arts Writing
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social Studies

For more detailed information on the content and structure of the HiSET® test, go to HiSET®: HiSET-Test at a Glance (TAAG) Information Brief.

Costs

GED®

Total cost for all four GED® tests proctored at a test center = $142

•              Fee per Subtest (four subtests x $26) = $104

•              Test Center Fee (four subtests x $7) = $28

•              Annual State Administration Fee = $10

Total cost for all four GED® tests proctored online (at home) = $181.96

•              GED® Ready Practice Test (four subtests x $6.99*) = $27.96*

•              Fee per Subtest (four subtests x $36) = $144

•              Annual State Administration Fee = $10

*Undiscounted, public price. Discounted GED® Ready Practice Tests are available to GED Manager users through GED Direct.

HiSET®

Total cost for all five HISET® tests proctored at a test center = $120

•              Fee per Subtest (five subtests x $15) = $75

•              Test Center Fee (five subtests x $7) = $35

•              Annual State Administration Fee = $10

Total cost for all five HiSET® tests proctored online (at home) = $172.50

•              Fee per Subtest (five subtests x $15) = $75

•              Remote Proctoring Fee (five subtests x $17.50) = $87.50

• Annual State Administration Fee = $10

Minimum Passing Score

GED®

145 (out of 200) in each content area

Understanding GED® Scores

HiSET®

8 (out of 20) in each content area, 2 (out of 6) on the essay, and a total combined score of at least 45 (out of 100) on all five subtests

Understanding HiSET® Scores 

Retake Policy

GED® Retake Policies - Select the Test Retake Policies button.

HiSET® Retake Policies

Test Registration and Schedule

To take the GED® or HiSET® exam, you must schedule an appointment in your test taker account with the test publisher. 

• Create a GED® account at GED.com
• Create a HiSET® account at HiSET.org

Use the links below to find an approved testing center near you.  

• Find GED^® Testing Centers (Select ‘SEE WHERE I CAN TEST’)

Find HiSET^® Testing Centers

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) partners with DiplomaSender (DS) to provide high school equivalency (HSE) data management and HSE document processing services. 

• DESE does not process requests for official HSE documentation. HSE documentation requests sent to DESE will not be processed.
• All HSE documents (certificates, transcripts, letters of verification) are only available through DiplomaSender.com.

Test Takers: Visit DiplomaSender to register for an account to order HSE documents. 

Third-Parties (employment verification companies, post-secondary institutions): Visit DiplomaSender to register for an account to verify HSE records. 

Contact DiplomaSender customer service with your questions: Chat via DiplomaSender.com 

Note: Individuals looking for record of a high school diploma should contact the local school district in which they last attended.

High School Equivalency Office
hse@dese.mo.gov
573-751-1249

The Missouri HSE Office does NOT provide any HSE documents. Certificates, transcripts, and verifications must be ordered through DiplomaSender.

DiplomaSender

To order HSE certificates & transcripts:

• Register for an account: DiplomaSender.com
• Chat: DiplomaSender.com
  • Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Central Time

To order education verifications or Third Party requests:

• thirdpartysupport@diplomasender.com

GED® (GED Testing Service)

GED.com
help@GED.com
877-EXAM-GED (877-392-6433)
Español: 877-450-3276
Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Central Time; closed on local holidays

HiSET® (PSI Services)

HiSET.org
HiSETsupport@psionline.com
855-MyHiSET (855-694-4738)
Monday - Friday 6:30 am-5 pm CT and
Saturday - Sunday 8 am-4:30 pm CT

• Missouri High School Equivalency Test Fee Assistance Resources
• Missouri Adds a Second High School Equivalency Test Option
  • Read the HSE news release here.
• Missouri High School Equivalency Test Taker Report
  • FY23-FY25 Missouri High School Equivalency Test Taker Report
• US Department of Education Dear Colleague Letter
  • Information from the US Department of Education to institutions of higher education regarding state-authorized examinations that the state recognizes as the equivalency of a high school diploma. This US Department of Education Dear Colleague Letter addresses the 2014 version of the GED^® and other HSE exams, such as HiSET^®, that emerged at that time.
• Missouri HSE Identification Requirements with Attestation Letter
• Missouri HSE Testing Center Policies
• Missouri HSE Age Waiver Application
• GED® Blog - Get tips and best practices for succeeding on the GED® exam
• GED® - What to Expect on Test Day
• HiSET® - Test Day Checklist
• HiSET® - Exam Test Prep Resources
• DiplomaSender Contact Cards

• Find the Test Fee Assistance Resources here.

Age Waiver Application

Missouri citizens (with a Missouri mailing address) less than 17 years of age interested in taking a state-approved High School Equivalency (HSE) examination must apply for an age waiver by completing and submitting the Missouri HSE Test Age Waiver Application. Requirements for applying for an HSE Age Waiver are listed below under HSE Age Waiver Policy.

Follow these steps to request an age waiver:

1. Create an Account: Create a student account for GED or HiSET. Your GED ID# or your HiSET ID# is required to complete the Missouri HSE Test Age Waiver Application.
2. Complete the  Missouri HSE Test Age Waiver Application: Please read it carefully! If none of the listed conditions in the age waiver apply, you cannot be approved and must wait to test until you are 17 years of age.
3. Submit: Submit the Missouri HSE Test Age Waiver Application AND any necessary transcripts to hse@dese.mo.gov or mail to Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, High School Equivalency Office, P.O. Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102.

 HSE Age Waiver Policy

• Per Missouri HSE Rule 5 CSR 20-200.310, one of the following conditions must be met for an HSE age waiver to be approved.  Please note that, by law, these are the only conditions under which an age waiver can be approved. If none of the conditions apply, the student cannot be approved and must wait to test until the age of 17.
  1. Be currently enrolled in school and qualify as a participant in an approved Missouri Option Program for at-risk youth;
  2. Be withdrawn from school, have successfully completed 16 units of credit toward high school graduation, and have written confirmation of course completion from the superintendent of schools where the most recent high school graduation credits were earned; or
  3. If home schooled, have met the requirements of Section 167.031, RSMo for course instruction and have written permission of the parent or legal guardian.
• High School Transcript(s): For those applying as a withdrawn high school applicant less than 17 years of age, you must submit a copy of your high school transcript(s) in addition to the application.

Notification Process

FAQs from the Test Publishers:

FAQs from the Missouri HSE Office:

HSE Records:

Does the Missouri HSE Office have a copy of my certificate/transcript?

No, we do not keep any tester documents. If you are looking for a copy of your High School Equivalency certificate/transcript, go to DiplomaSender.com and create an account. You can also contact DiplomaSender directly by starting a chat at DiplomaSender.com.

Can I combine GED® and HiSET® subtest scores?

Yes, effective August 1, 2023, Missouri HSE candidates are able to combine current-series GED® and HiSET® subtest scores through DiplomaSender’s TotalTranscript™ feature to achieve an HSE credential. Candidates may take subtests for either exam in any order. Passing scores will remain the same, 145 minimum per subtest for GED® and a minimum score of 8 and an average of 9 for HiSET® (minimum 2 for the essay on HiSET® Language Arts Writing). Candidates wishing to utilize the TotalTranscript™ feature will be responsible for paying all fees for both exams.

How long are my GED^® and HiSET^® subtest scores valid?

GED^® and HiSET^® subtest scores remain valid and do not expire in Missouri until there is a replacement or major re-write of the exam. GED^® subtest scores prior to January 1, 2014 are no longer valid for use in obtaining a future HSE credential.

I earned my certificate years/decades ago. Will DiplomaSender have my records?

Yes, DiplomaSender maintains all of Missouri's HSE records, including historical records.

I am a third party looking to verify someone's education. Will the HSE Office do education verifications?

No--Please contact DiplomaSender at thirdpartysupport@diplomasender.com for education verification requests. Do not send student personally identifiable information (PII) to that email address.

Preparing and Testing:

How do I schedule my exams?

Testing centers cannot schedule your exams for you. You must login to your GED^® account or HiSET^® account to schedule your exams at your preferred testing center.

What is the difference between GED® and HiSET®?

Both programs are state approved for HSE and earn you the same certificate from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. We don’t endorse one over the other. You can read about some of the differences between the two in our current Comparison Chart.

Are the HSE exams available in any other languages?

Both the GED^® and HiSET^® exams are available in Spanish.

Can I take an HSE exam at home?

Yes, since the COVID-19 pandemic, both exams began allowing students to test at home with online proctor monitoring. See the Online GED Test or the HiSET Exam at Home for more details.

Does the State of Missouri offer GED® or HiSET® preparation classes?

Yes, FREE test preparation classes are offered to eligible Missouri citizens at Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) Programs throughout the state. Visit AEL.mo.gov for information on a program near you.

What are some ways I can prepare for the exam?

• In your student account: Both GED® and HiSET® offer free and for-purchase study materials once you’ve created a student account
• Public libraries: in addition to preparation courses, many libraries have HSE study or practice books
• Bookstores (brick-and-mortar and virtual stores): New and used practice books are available through multiple book vendors.

Missouri Policy:

Do I have to be a resident of Missouri to take an HSE exam?

Yes, Missouri does have a residency requirement for HSE exams. When you sign up for a myGED account or a myHiSET account, you must enter your Missouri mailing address. This address will be used to issue your Missouri HSE certificate after passing your exams.

I am less than seventeen (17) years of age. Can I take an HSE exam?

Typically, you may only take a Missouri HSE exam if you are seventeen (17) years of age or older. However, if you are younger than seventeen (17) years of age, you may take the the Missouri HSE exam if you are approved by the Missouri High School Equivalency (HSE) Office for an HSE Age Waiver after meeting one of the conditions set by the Missouri State Board of Education.

You may apply for an age waiver by completing the Missouri HSE Age Waiver Application. Visit hse.mo.gov for additional details.

NOTE: If none of the conditions in the HSE age waiver apply, you cannot be approved and must wait to test until you are seventeen years of age.

• 5 CSR 20-200.310 – Administration of High School Equivalence Program Rule
• RSMo 161.093 – High School Equivalency Certificate may be issued by State Board
• RSMo 161.094 and H.B. 1606 - Examinations for High School Equivalency Certificate