Hawaii State High School Equivalency Eligibility Requirements
- You do not have to be a resident of Hawaii.
- You cannot be enrolled in an accredited high school or be a high school graduate.
- You must be 18 years of age. However, if you are 16 or 17 you must use the Exceptions to Compulsory Education, Form 4140.
- Cost: The GED Test is $37.50 (per subject), $150 (all subjects) and the HiSET Exam is $24 (per sub-test), $120 (total)
- Passing Score: The GED Test requires a 145 (minimum) to each subject to pass. The HiSET Exam requires an 8 in each sub-test with a combined score of 45; minimum of 2 on the Language Arts, Writing essay.
- Accommodations for the GED test can be requested on the GED Testing Service page. Find out about disability accommodations and fill out your HiSET Accommodations Request Form on HiSET website.
- After passing either the GED test or HiSET exam, the State of Hawaii will award you a high school equivalency certificate that will show you have achieved the same level of knowledge as a high school graduate. Check with rules and regulations for the Hawaii GED test and Hawaii HiSET exam for more information.
Below you’ll find answers to the questions we get asked the most about how to get a high school equivalency in Hawaii.
There are two high school equivalency exams given in Hawaii: HiSET and GED. 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 Hawaii HiSET or Hawaii GED.
The Hawaii GED exam tests you on Math, Social Studies, Science, and Language Arts. The Hawaii 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
$37.50
$150
HiSET® Exam
$20
$100
TEST
SCORE
GED
145 minimum per subject
HiSET
8 minimum per subject, combined minimum of 45, 2 minimum on the essay
For the Hawaii GED test, there is no waiting period for the first 3 retakes. After the 3rd retake, you have to wait 60 days before testing again. There’s no yearly testing limit. The first two retakes will be discounted for each subject, and GED Testing Service fees are waived for retakes.
For the Hawaii HiSET exam, you can retake each HiSET subject exam 3 times during a calendar year.
No, the Hawaii GED and HiSET tests must be taken at an official testing center in Hawaii. You can find the closest center to you on our list of testing centers.
You do not need to be a resident of Hawaii to take the GED or HiSET.
Find the closest Hawaii testing center on the list here.
You must be 18 years of age.
If you are 16 or 17 you have to obtain clearance by following established procedures for underaged youth and using the Exceptions to Compulsory Education, Form 4140. Find the form here.
If you have a disability, you can apply for GED disability accommodations or HiSET disability accommodations. Don’t know if you qualify? Click here for more information.
There are two high school equivalency exams given in Hawaii: HiSET and GED. 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 Hawaii HiSET or Hawaii GED.
The Hawaii GED exam tests you on Math, Social Studies, Science, and Language Arts. The Hawaii 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 | $37.50 | $150 |
| HiSET® Exam | $20 | $100 |
| TEST | SCORE |
|---|---|
| GED | 145 minimum per subject |
| HiSET | 8 minimum per subject, combined minimum of 45, 2 minimum on the essay |
For the Hawaii GED test, there is no waiting period for the first 3 retakes. After the 3rd retake, you have to wait 60 days before testing again. There’s no yearly testing limit. The first two retakes will be discounted for each subject, and GED Testing Service fees are waived for retakes.
For the Hawaii HiSET exam, you can retake each HiSET subject exam 3 times during a calendar year.
No, the Hawaii GED and HiSET tests must be taken at an official testing center in Hawaii. You can find the closest center to you on our list of testing centers.
You do not need to be a resident of Hawaii to take the GED or HiSET.
Find the closest Hawaii testing center on the list here.
You must be 18 years of age.
If you are 16 or 17 you have to obtain clearance by following established procedures for underaged youth and using the Exceptions to Compulsory Education, Form 4140. Find the form here.
If you have a disability, you can apply for GED disability accommodations or HiSET disability accommodations. Don’t know if you qualify? Click here for more information.
Over 20 Million Adults
That’s how many have successfully passed their high school equivalency test. So why wait?
LET’S GET STARTED"Getting kicked out of school really woke me up. I realized that getting an education is the best thing for me to do so that I can support my brother, sister, and grandma. I didn’t think about that when I had the chance to go to school for free or get into a good college. But I’m going to get my GED and try my best to do what I need to in order to go to school. I’d like to get my business degree and open a t-shirt company."