California GED and HiSET Requirements
- Resident: You must be a resident of California.
- Age: You must be 18 years of age. However, you can take the test at 17 if you meet additional requirements.
- Enrolled: You cannot be enrolled in an accredited high school or be a high school graduate.
- Cost: GED at a Test Center: $35 (per subject). Starting July 1, 2023: California will charge $41 (per subject) at a Test Center. GED Test Online: $41 (per subject). HiSET: $17 (per subject); $85 (all subjects).
- Score: GED: 145 (minimum) in each subject. HiSET: 8 in each subtest, combined score of 45; minimum of 2 on the Language Arts, Writing essay.
- Accommodations: GED: You must apply for disability accommodations through the GED Testing Service page. HiSET: Find out about disability accommodations and fill out a HiSET Accommodations Request Form.
- Diploma: After you pass the test, the State of California will award you a high school equivalency certificate showing you have achieved the same level of knowledge as a high school graduate.
Online GED or HiSET Classes
Online programs like GED Academy are available to help you get your GED fast and easy.
Below you’ll find answers to the questions we get asked the most about how to get a high school equivalency in California.
Yes. In fact, GED Academy is the only home study course that is 100% approved by the GED Testing Service. Watch this short video about GED Academy to find out why. This is why over 2.4 million people have used GED Academy to get their GED credential. It's fast, easy, and simple on your mobile phone too.
If you're like many Americans, you're probably wondering: How can I get my GED or HiSET fast? Well, the good news is that earning your GED or HiSETcertificate is easier than you think. The sooner you start, the sooner you can meet your goals.
Take the steps one at a time.
-
Check Your Eligibility: Every state has its own test eligibility requirements. You can find California's requirements here.
-
Learn the Material: Study for the GED or HiSET test. You can study on your own, in a local prep classroom, or online.
-
Practice the Material: Establish a quiet study space. Focus your study with a guides or online classes. Check your learning with practice tests.
-
Register: When you're ready, schedule your test online.
-
Take the Test: On test day, bring a non-expired, government-issued photo ID. All personal items must remain outside of the testing area.
After you pass the test, the State of California will award you a GED or HiSET certificate that will show you have achieved the same level of knowledge as a high school graduate.
How long does it take to go through GED classes?
It varies by student, but here at GED Academy most students complete their coursework in about three months.
I didn't pass. How many times can you take the GED?
Some states have individual policies about retaking the test, but generally you can take the test about three times a year. Don't worry, you won't have to retake any subjects you passed previously.
What you should know:
- You should be familiar with math concepts, measurements, equations, and applying math concepts to solve real-life problems.
- You don’t have to memorize formulas and will be given a formula sheet in the test center as well as on the screen in the test.
- Essential Education offers a free practice test for math that will help you assess your readiness for the test.
-
GED Academy gives you all the math you need to study at one affordable price.
The GED testing service offers an official GED practice test for $6 per subject. Essential Education offers a free online HSE practice test for GED prep. We also offer a free HiSET online practice test for HiSET prep as well. You can take our free practice test in one subject, several subjects, or all of the subjects.
There are two high school equivalency exams given in California: GED and HiSET. Both are equivalent to a high school diploma, and are accepted at 99% of colleges. You can go on to get a great job, get a degree, or join the military with a California HiSET or California GED.
- The California GED test will test you on Math, Social Studies, Science, and Language Arts.
- The California HiSET exam tests you on Math, Social Studies, Science, Reading, and Writing.
GED TEST
SUBJECT
TIME
Math
115 minutes
Social Studies
90 minutes
Science
90 minutes
Language Arts
150 minutes
Total
7 hours, 41 minutes
HiSET EXAM
SUBJECT
TIME
Math
90 minutes
Social Studies
70 minutes
Science
80 minutes
Reading
60 minutes
Writing
120 minutes
Total
7 hours
GED TEST
SUBJECT
# OF QUESTIONS
Math
46
Social Studies
35
Science
34
Language Arts
46
HiSET EXAM
SUBJECT
# OF QUESTIONS
Math
40-50
Social Studies
40-50
Science
40-50
Reading
40-50
Writing
40-50 + essay
TEST
PER SUBJECT
TOTAL
GED® Test
$28.75
$115
HiSET® Exam
$17
$85
TEST
SCORE
GED
145 minimum per subject
HiSET
8 minimum per subject, combined minimum of 45, 2 minimum on the essay
- A passing score on the California GED test is 145 (minimum) in each subject.
- A passing score for the HiSET exam in California is 8 in each subtest, combined score of 45; minimum of 2 on the Language Arts, Writing essay.
You can retake each subject up to 3 times without waiting. The fourth retake requires a 60 day waiting period. You will be offered a discounted price for your first two retakes ($12 per retake instead of $32). To receive additional discounted retakes, you must wait 60 days, pay the full price of $32, and then you will receive two more discounted retakes. All retakes must occur within 12 months of the initial attempt.
The California GED and HiSET tests can be taken at an official testing center in California or online*. You can find the closest center to you on our list of testing centers in California.
*Online Proctored GED test notification update: 7-26-2021
Beginning September 1st, 2021, there will be an Online Proctored (OP) GED test option, which means that you will have the option to take your GED test remotely (online). For more information, please click here.
You must be a legal resident of California to take the GED or HiSET in California.
Find a California testing center nearest you here.
You must be 18 years of age.
If you are 17, you can take the test with the following conditions:
- You have a government (national or foreign) issued photo ID;
- You are a resident of California
- You are not enrolled in school (you are excepted if you are enrolled in an approved in-school GED preparation program)
- You are not a high school graduate
- You must have parental/guardian permission.
If you are 16 you must meet the above requirements, and must be in the care of a state agency, under a court order, or in a Job Corps training program.
If you are under 18, you are required to attend school in the state of California.
If you are under 18 and require an age waiver, you can request it from your local school board. You’ll need to receive permission from the school board in order to take the test.
If you have a disability, you can apply for disability accommodations through the GED test’s accommodations page. Don’t know if you qualify? Be sure to find out if you qualify for accomodations.
To get a copy of your California transcript, you can request it through the GED Testing Service or HiSET.
Yes. In fact, GED Academy is the only home study course that is 100% approved by the GED Testing Service. Watch this short video about GED Academy to find out why. This is why over 2.4 million people have used GED Academy to get their GED credential. It's fast, easy, and simple on your mobile phone too.
If you're like many Americans, you're probably wondering: How can I get my GED or HiSET fast? Well, the good news is that earning your GED or HiSETcertificate is easier than you think. The sooner you start, the sooner you can meet your goals.
Take the steps one at a time.
- Check Your Eligibility: Every state has its own test eligibility requirements. You can find California's requirements here.
- Learn the Material: Study for the GED or HiSET test. You can study on your own, in a local prep classroom, or online.
- Practice the Material: Establish a quiet study space. Focus your study with a guides or online classes. Check your learning with practice tests.
- Register: When you're ready, schedule your test online.
- Take the Test: On test day, bring a non-expired, government-issued photo ID. All personal items must remain outside of the testing area.
After you pass the test, the State of California will award you a GED or HiSET certificate that will show you have achieved the same level of knowledge as a high school graduate.
How long does it take to go through GED classes?
It varies by student, but here at GED Academy most students complete their coursework in about three months.
I didn't pass. How many times can you take the GED?
Some states have individual policies about retaking the test, but generally you can take the test about three times a year. Don't worry, you won't have to retake any subjects you passed previously.
What you should know:
- You should be familiar with math concepts, measurements, equations, and applying math concepts to solve real-life problems.
- You don’t have to memorize formulas and will be given a formula sheet in the test center as well as on the screen in the test.
- Essential Education offers a free practice test for math that will help you assess your readiness for the test.
- GED Academy gives you all the math you need to study at one affordable price.
The GED testing service offers an official GED practice test for $6 per subject. Essential Education offers a free online HSE practice test for GED prep. We also offer a free HiSET online practice test for HiSET prep as well. You can take our free practice test in one subject, several subjects, or all of the subjects.
There are two high school equivalency exams given in California: GED and HiSET. Both are equivalent to a high school diploma, and are accepted at 99% of colleges. You can go on to get a great job, get a degree, or join the military with a California HiSET or California GED.
- The California GED test will test you on Math, Social Studies, Science, and Language Arts.
- The California HiSET exam tests you on Math, Social Studies, Science, Reading, and Writing.
| GED TEST | |
|---|---|
| SUBJECT | TIME |
| Math | 115 minutes |
| Social Studies | 90 minutes |
| Science | 90 minutes |
| Language Arts | 150 minutes |
| Total | 7 hours, 41 minutes |
| HiSET EXAM | |
|---|---|
| SUBJECT | TIME |
| Math | 90 minutes |
| Social Studies | 70 minutes |
| Science | 80 minutes |
| Reading | 60 minutes |
| Writing | 120 minutes |
| Total | 7 hours |
| GED TEST | |
|---|---|
| SUBJECT | # OF QUESTIONS |
| Math | 46 |
| Social Studies | 35 |
| Science | 34 |
| Language Arts | 46 |
| HiSET EXAM | |
|---|---|
| SUBJECT | # OF QUESTIONS |
| Math | 40-50 |
| Social Studies | 40-50 |
| Science | 40-50 |
| Reading | 40-50 |
| Writing | 40-50 + essay |
| TEST | PER SUBJECT | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|
| GED® Test | $28.75 | $115 |
| HiSET® Exam | $17 | $85 |
| TEST | SCORE |
|---|---|
| GED | 145 minimum per subject |
| HiSET | 8 minimum per subject, combined minimum of 45, 2 minimum on the essay |
- A passing score on the California GED test is 145 (minimum) in each subject.
- A passing score for the HiSET exam in California is 8 in each subtest, combined score of 45; minimum of 2 on the Language Arts, Writing essay.
You can retake each subject up to 3 times without waiting. The fourth retake requires a 60 day waiting period. You will be offered a discounted price for your first two retakes ($12 per retake instead of $32). To receive additional discounted retakes, you must wait 60 days, pay the full price of $32, and then you will receive two more discounted retakes. All retakes must occur within 12 months of the initial attempt.
The California GED and HiSET tests can be taken at an official testing center in California or online*. You can find the closest center to you on our list of testing centers in California.
*Online Proctored GED test notification update: 7-26-2021
Beginning September 1st, 2021, there will be an Online Proctored (OP) GED test option, which means that you will have the option to take your GED test remotely (online). For more information, please click here.
You must be a legal resident of California to take the GED or HiSET in California.
Find a California testing center nearest you here.
You must be 18 years of age.
If you are 17, you can take the test with the following conditions:
- You have a government (national or foreign) issued photo ID;
- You are a resident of California
- You are not enrolled in school (you are excepted if you are enrolled in an approved in-school GED preparation program)
- You are not a high school graduate
- You must have parental/guardian permission.
If you are 16 you must meet the above requirements, and must be in the care of a state agency, under a court order, or in a Job Corps training program.
If you are under 18, you are required to attend school in the state of California.
If you are under 18 and require an age waiver, you can request it from your local school board. You’ll need to receive permission from the school board in order to take the test.
If you have a disability, you can apply for disability accommodations through the GED test’s accommodations page. Don’t know if you qualify? Be sure to find out if you qualify for accomodations.
To get a copy of your California transcript, you can request it through the GED Testing Service or HiSET.
Over 20 Million Adults
That’s how many have successfully passed their high school equivalency test. So why wait?
"I was motivated to get my GED to get a better job and to show my son never give up! Everyone in my family and at work all motivated me to finish strong."