Yes, you must be a resident of Illinois for 30 days or more to take the GED test or HiSET exam.

You must be 18 years old to take the GED test or HiSET exam in Illinois.

In Illinois, you can take the GED test or HiSET exam if you are 16 or 17 years old and meet specific requirements.

GED: In Illinois, you must be 18 years old to take the GED test. If you are 17, you will need to provide a withdrawal letter from the last school attended. Proof of withdrawal must be emailed to hse@illinois.gov (preferred) or faxed to 217-558-6700. Visit the Illinois Community College Board’s website for more information. If you are 16, you must be enrolled in a Regional Safe Schools Program, an Alternative Learning Opportunities Program, or the Lincoln’s Challenge Academy pursuant to the Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/3-15.12). The program must petition on your behalf for you to be approved to take the GED or HiSET.

HiSET: In Illinois, you must be 17 years old to take the HiSET exam. If you are under 18, you must also meet additional requirements: If you are 17, you must present proof of withdrawal from the last school enrolled in before taking the HiSET exam. If you are 16, you may register for the HiSET exam only if you are currently enrolled in the Illinois National Guard’s Lincoln’s Challenge Program or a qualified Alternative Learning Opportunity Program through your Regional Office of Education.

GED: You must apply for disability accommodations through the GED Testing Service website.

HiSET: Find out about disability accommodations and complete a HiSET Accommodations Request Form.

In Illinois, you can earn a high school equivalency certificate by taking the GED test or HiSET exam. The credential is called the Illinois High School Diploma. Employers and 98% of colleges accept a GED or HiSET certificate.

Here is a list of Illinois GED and HiSET testing centers.

If you're like many, you're probably wondering: How can I get my GED or HiSET fast? Well, the good news is that earning your GED or HiSET certificate is easier than you think. The sooner you start, the sooner you can meet your goals.

Steps to Get the GED or HiSET Test in Illinois

1. Check Your Eligibility in Illinois: Every state has its own GED and HiSET test eligibility requirements. For Illinois, you can find the list of requirements at the top of this page.
2. Study for the Test: Preparing for the GED or HiSET test is key to success. Choose from various study options, including using a GED or HiSET Illinois study guide, attending local GED or HiSET prep classes, or studying online. Find the method that works best for you.
3. Practice the Material: Create a quiet and focused study environment. Use GED or HiSET study guides or online classes to help structure your learning.
4. Take GED or HiSET Practice Tests: Practice tests are a great way to track your progress and identify areas for improvement. If you choose to take the GED test online, you're required to take the GED Ready® practice test and achieve a "green" score within the last 60 days before scheduling the official online exam.
5. Register for the Test: When you're ready, schedule your GED test or HiSET exam.
6. Take the Test: On test day, bring a valid, non-expired, government-issued photo ID. Personal items are not allowed in the testing area.
7. Take the Illinois Constitution Test: In Illinois, you’re required to pass the Illinois Constitution Test in order to earn your diploma.
8. Get Your Transcript and Diploma: After passing the GED test or HiSET exam and the Illinois Constitution Test, the State of Illinois will award you a high school equivalency certificate, showing that you have achieved the same level of knowledge as a high school graduate.

The GED Testing Service offers an official GED practice test for $7.99 per subject. The HiSET also offers practice tests. Additionally, you can take a free GED practice test or a free HiSET practice test through Essential Education, with the option to focus on one or multiple subjects.

Yes, in fact, GED Academy and HiSET Academy are fully aligned with GED test and HiSET exam standards and recognized by the testing services. That’s why over 4.5 million people have used these programs to earn their credentials. It's fast, easy, and affordable.

The Illinois GED test and HiSET exam are the same as in every other state since they are national exams. While it may seem challenging, preparation is key, and online classes can help you get ready. For more on how hard the GED test is, read our article How Hard Is the GED in 2025?

• GED Cost at a Test Center: $36 per subject or $144 for all subjects.
• GED Cost Online: $36 per subject or $144 for all subjects.
• HiSET Cost at a Test Center: $23 per subtest or $115 for all subtests.
• HiSET Cost Online: $23 per subtest or $115 for all subtests.

Note: In Illinois, the Illinois Community College Board is giving $26 off your GED test for each subject while funding lasts. Use promo code ILSAVE26 at checkout.

GED:

• In-person at a Testing Center: GED Testing Service waives its $26 testing fee, but there is a $10 test center fee. You will receive one discounted retake for every GED test subject you purchase but don’t pass. You have 365 days after your full-price test to use this discounted retake. This retake offer (1 full price:1 discount) repeats until you pass the test.
• Online Testing: The Online Proctored Exam costs $36 for a retake in Illinois. Discounted retakes are not offered on the Online Proctored Exam.

HiSET: You may retake each subtest two times over the 12 months following your first attempt by paying only the test center fee, which is $8, or the at-home online proctor fee, which is $17.50 for each at-home subtest. You will be charged the full amount, including the test fee when scheduling your fourth attempt within the 12 months following your first attempt.

GED: The Illinois GED tests you on Language Arts (Reading and Writing), Math, Science, and Social Studies.

HiSET: The Illinois HiSET tests you on Reading, Writing, Math, Science, and Social Studies.

GED Test:

HiSET Exam:

GED Test:

HiSET Exam:

GED: 145 minimum per subject

HiSET: 8 minimum per subtest, combined minimum of 45, 2 minimum on the essay

GED:

• In-person at a Testing Center: In Illinois, there is no waiting period for your first two retakes. After taking a test subject three times, you’ll have to wait 60 days before retesting. There’s no limit to how many times you can test in a year.
• Online Testing: The Online Proctored Exam allows for one retake before a 60-day waiting period. After taking a test subject two times online, you’ll have to wait 60 days before retesting.

HiSET: HiSET test takers may take each subtest a maximum of six times in a calendar year.

Yes, in Illinois, you can take the GED or HiSET exams either at an official testing center or online. For the GED, if you choose the online option, you're required to take the GED Ready® practice test and achieve a "green" score within the last 60 days before scheduling the official online exam.

Use our list of authorized testing centers in Illinois to find a location near you.

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.

GED:

• In-person at a Testing Center: Yes, in Illinois you can take all GED test subjects in one day, provided you find a testing center with available hours that can accommodate this.
• Online Testing: No, each subject must be scheduled separately, one at a time. After completing one online exam, you can schedule the next, depending on available appointment times.

HiSET: You can choose to take each subtest individually, but if you prefer, you may also take multiple subtests in a single day, subject to availability at your testing center and your personal preference.

Yes, in Illinois, you can test in English or Spanish and you can combine tests from different languages to earn your credential.

For Spanish speakers, GED Academy and HiSET Academy provide mobile-friendly, online courses designed to fully align with test standards. These programs cover all test subjects with engaging, expert-designed lessons, helping you confidently prepare to take the exam in English or Spanish.

No, in Illinois, you cannot combine scores from the GED and HiSET tests to earn your high school equivalency credential. You must pass all subjects from one of the approved tests, GED or HiSET.

GED: A passing score on the Illinois GED test is 145 points (45% correct) in each of the four subjects. You can check your results in your MyGED account after you have completed the test.

HiSET: A passing score on the Illinois HiSET exam is 8 points in each of the five subtests. You can view your results in your HiSET account after you have completed each subtest.

The Illinois High School Equivalency records are issued by the Regional Offices of Education. You must contact the Regional Office of Education for the county in which you tested in to request your transcripts or certificates.

Cook County residents should contact the Cook County High School Equivalency Records Office at iccb.CookHSE@‎illinois.gov or by calling 1-312-814-4488.