HiSET Exam
Exam Description: Additional Information Register for this exam
The HiSET® exam includes five subtests that you can schedule to take in any order:
- Language Arts – Reading
- Language Arts – Writing
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
Language Arts - Reading
The Reading subtest measures your ability to understand, interpret and analyze a broad range of literary and informational texts. The selections are from different genres on subject matter that varies in purpose and style. They may be in the form of memoirs, essays, biographical sketches, editorials or poetry. The texts generally range in length from approximately 400 to 600 words.
Language Arts - Writing
If you are taking the HiSET exam in English, the Writing subtest measures your skill in recognizing and producing effective, standard, American-written English and is in two parts. Spanish test takers may write their essay in Spanish.
Part 1 measures your ability to edit and revise written text.
Part 2 measures your ability to generate and organize ideas in writing.
Mathematics
The Mathematics subtest measures mathematical knowledge and competencies. You are asked to solve quantitative problems using fundamental concepts and reasoning skills. The questions present practical problems that require numerical operations, measurement, estimation, data interpretation and logical thinking. Problems are based on realistic situations and may test abstract concepts such as algebraic patterns, precision in measurement and probability. You may use a calculator for the entire subject test, if you choose to do so.
Science
The Science subtest measures your ability to use science content knowledge, apply principles of scientific inquiry, and interpret and evaluate scientific information. Most of the questions provide descriptions of scientific investigations and their results. Scientific information is based on reports that might be found in scientific journals. Graphs, tables and charts are used to present information and results.
The questions use material from a variety of content areas such as: physics, chemistry, botany, zoology, health and astronomy. You may be asked to identify the research question of interest, select the best design for a specific research question and recognize conclusions that can be drawn from results. You may also be asked to evaluate the adequacy of procedures and distinguish among hypotheses, assumptions and observations.
Social Studies
The Social Studies subtest measures your ability to analyze and evaluate various kinds of social studies information. The subtest uses materials from a variety of content areas, including history, political science, psychology, sociology, anthropology, geography and economics. Primary documents, posters, cartoons, timelines, maps, graphs, tables, charts and reading passages may be used to present information. You may be asked to distinguish statements of fact from opinion; recognize the limitations of procedures and methods; and make judgments about the reliability of sources, the validity of inferences and conclusions, and the adequacy of information for drawing conclusions.
