Test Takers for High School Equivalency (HSE)

Resources

Schedule Your GED®/HiSET® Exam

To take the GED® or HiSET® exam, you must schedule an appointment in your test taker account with the test publisher. The information provided below regarding testing centers is for your convenience and in case you want to contact a test center directly. However, they will not be able to schedule an exam for you; you must do that in your GED® or HiSET® account.

Find GED®/HiSET® Testing Centers

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

Find GED® Testing Centers                     Find HiSET® Testing Centers

Find GED®/HiSET® Preparation Classes 

In Missouri, you do not have to take a class before taking the HSE exam. However, some people prefer to take classes to prepare for their exam. Adult Education & Literacy programs around the state offer FREE high school equivalency preparation classes. Visit ael.mo.gov for eligibility requirements and a list of program locations. 

Discover Test Fee Assistance Resources

Find Test Fee Assistance Resources here.

Request GED®/HiSET® Test Accommodations

For the GED® Test

GED Testing Service provides reasonable and appropriate accommodations to individuals with documented disabilities who demonstrate a need for accommodations. Test accommodations are individualized and considered on a case-by-case basis. All accommodation requests are processed and approved through GED® Testing Accommodations.

         

          Quick Links:

          GED Accommodations FAQ    

          Request Accommodations

         GED® Contact: accommodations@GED.com

 

                                                               

For the HiSET® Test

PSI Services is committed to serving individuals with disabilities and health-related needs by providing services and reasonable accommodations that are appropriate given the purpose of the test. 

All accommodation requests are processed and approved by PSI Accommodations. 

          Quick Links:

          HiSET Accommodations

          Request Accommodations

          PSI Services contact: eaalerts@psionline.com or 1-800-367-1565 x6750 

 
Request Missouri HSE Test Age Waiver

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

  • Application Status: The Missouri HSE Office will notify you via email of your application status. You will not be able to schedule your HSE exam until you receive an approval notification.
  • Incomplete or Denied Application: The Missouri High School Equivalency Office will contact you via email. If incomplete, you must make the necessary changes and resubmit the application and if necessary, your high school transcript(s).
  • Wait time: Application processing can be as quick as two business days but may take up to two weeks, especially if the application is incomplete.
What to Expect on Test Day
Order HSE Certificates/Transcript

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.

FAQs

FAQs from the Test Publishers:

 
 

GED FAQs for Testers

Your GED Scores

HiSET FAQs for Testers

Your HiSET Scores

HiSET Test Taker Bulletin

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.