New Mexico GED and HiSET Requirements
- Resident: You do not have to be a resident of New Mexico.
- Age: You must be 18 years of age or older. However, if you are 16 or 17, you can complete an underage form.
- Enrolled: You cannot be enrolled in an accredited high school or be a high school graduate.
- Cost: GED at a Test Center: $26 (per subject). GED Test Online: $36 (per subject). HiSET: $24 (per subject); $120 (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 may 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: Whether you pass the GED or HiSET test, the State of New Mexico will award you a high school equivalency certificate that will show you have achieved the same level of knowledge as a high school graduate. Be sure to learn more about other HiSET rules and requirements and other GED rules and requirements in New Mexico.
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 GED and HiSET in New Mexico.
There are two high school equivalency exams given in New Mexico: 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 New Mexico HiSET or New Mexico GED.
The New Mexico GED exam tests you on Math, Social Studies, Science, and Language Arts. The New Mexico 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
$30
$120
HiSET® Exam
$24
$120
TEST
SCORE
GED
145 minimum per subject
HiSET
8 minimum per subject, combined minimum of 45, 2 minimum on the essay
For the New Mexico GED, 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 New Mexico HiSET, you can retake the HiSET exam 3 times during a calendar year. You may only retake the test once you have received your scores.
The New Mexico GED and HiSET tests can be taken online• or at an official testing center in New Mexico. You can find the closest center to you on our list of testing centers in New Mexico.
*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. For more information, please visit our article Getting GED Online.
You do not need to be a legal resident of New Mexico to take the GED or HiSET in New Mexico
How old do I have to be to take the Test in New Mexico?
You must be 18 years of age.
If you are 16 or 17 you must complete an underage form and must submit it to the testing center.
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 New Mexico: 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 New Mexico HiSET or New Mexico GED.
The New Mexico GED exam tests you on Math, Social Studies, Science, and Language Arts. The New Mexico 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 | $30 | $120 |
| HiSET® Exam | $24 | $120 |
| TEST | SCORE |
|---|---|
| GED | 145 minimum per subject |
| HiSET | 8 minimum per subject, combined minimum of 45, 2 minimum on the essay |
For the New Mexico GED, 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 New Mexico HiSET, you can retake the HiSET exam 3 times during a calendar year. You may only retake the test once you have received your scores.
The New Mexico GED and HiSET tests can be taken online• or at an official testing center in New Mexico. You can find the closest center to you on our list of testing centers in New Mexico.
*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. For more information, please visit our article Getting GED Online.
You do not need to be a legal resident of New Mexico to take the GED or HiSET in New Mexico
You must be 18 years of age.
If you are 16 or 17 you must complete an underage form and must submit it to the testing center.
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 the high school equivalency test. So why wait?
"I feel like I have really accomplished something significant. Something that nobody can take away from me or minimize the importance of my accomplishment, I did this for me."