HiSET GED

Probably. If you were unable to complete high school, the HiSET program is how you’ll earn your equivalency diploma. You don’t even have to be a resident of Iowa to earn your HiSET at Indian Hills!

You’re eligible to take the HiSET classes and exam if:

• You’re age 19 or older and not enrolled in high school; OR
• You’re age 17 or 18, out of school, and have parental permission.

If neither of these fit you, talk to the staff at IHCC to see if you fit one of the exceptions. They’ll help you determine what rules apply and what documentation you need.

Enroll in the required HiSET prep courses. These classes are FREE, and they’re scheduled at convenient times in Ottumwa, Centerville, Fairfield, Keosauqua, and Oskaloosa.

When you’re ready to start your prep course, all it takes is an easy signup form or a quick phone call to 641-683-5189.

The HiSET exam has five parts and is primarily multiple choice. The five separate tests that make up the HiSET exam are:

• Reading: Your ability to understand, comprehend, interpret, and analyze a variety of reading material (50 multiple choice questions)
• Writing: Your skill in recognizing and producing effective standard American written English (60 multiple choice questions and one essay question)
• Mathematics: Your ability to solve quantitative problems using fundamental concepts and reasoning skills (55 multiple choice questions)
• Science: Your ability to use science content knowledge, apply principles of scientific inquiry, and interpret and evaluate scientific information (60 multiple choice questions)

You can choose the testing format that works best for you:

• A computer-based exam at an IHCC testing center,
• A paper-based exam at an IHCC testing center, or
• An at-home computer exam monitored by a human proctor.

If you choose to take all five tests on one day, it will take about seven hours. You can also complete each test on different dates and times that work with your schedule.

Review the Test at a Glance Summary

Yes! Iowa requires that you take a half-length practice test before you schedule your official HiSET exam. Your IHCC instructor will help you make all the arrangements.

You’ll find all kinds of free study guide resources online:

• Sample questions, scoring guides, and more at HiSET.org
• Math tutorial videos from Kahn Academy

Yes. In Iowa, the HiSET exam fee for all five subtests is $53.75, which includes two retests per test during a 12-month period from the initial date of purchase.

If you only need to take an individual subtest, the cost is $10.75 for each test. Each individual test purchased includes up to two retest attempts if taken within 12 months of the date of purchase.

A “no call no show” for testing takes away one of the free attempts.

When

• Monday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Tuesday and Wednesday 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Where

Community Education Center
15260 Truman Street, Suite 2 (Iowa Workforce Development Building)

When

• Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where

• IHCC Centerville Campus Success Center

When

• Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Where

• Jefferson County Service Center

When

• Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Where

• Mahaska County Service Center

When

• Tuesday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Where

• Monroe County Service Center