HiSET vs GED is a common fork in the road for anyone pursuing a high school equivalency credential, and the two aren't identical just because they lead to the same outcome. Availability, cost, and format all differ enough to matter, and your state may not even offer both as options. Before deciding which one to prepare for, it helps to understand exactly where they overlap and where they don't.
What are the HiSET and GED?
Both credentials serve the same basic purpose, proving you've reached high school-level academic skills, but they come from different organizations with slightly different approaches.
What is the GED?
The GED (General Educational Development) is the most widely recognized high school equivalency test in the country. A few basics:
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Covers four GED test subjects: Reasoning Through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Science, and Social Studies
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Administered almost entirely on a computer
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Accepted in all 50 states
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Scored on a 100 - 200 scale per subject
What is the HiSET?
The HiSET (High School Equivalency Test) is developed by ETS and accepted in a smaller number of states than the GED. Key basics:
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Covers five subjects: Reading, Writing, Math, Science, and Social Studies
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Available in both computer-based and paper-based formats
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Accepted in roughly 25 states
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Scored on a 1 - 20 scale per subject
Neither credential is "better" on paper, since both are recognized by colleges and employers the same way once earned. Where you live plays a bigger role in the decision than most people expect.
Key differences between HiSET and GED
Once you know both tests exist, the real decision comes down to a handful of concrete differences.
Subjects and test format
HiSET
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Five separate subjects: Reading, Writing, Math, Science, and Social Studies
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Available on paper or computer, depending on your testing center
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The Writing section includes a required essay, scored separately from the multiple-choice portion
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Takes roughly 7 hours total to complete all five subjects
GED
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Four subjects, with reading and writing combined into a single Reasoning Through Language Arts test
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Administered almost entirely on a computer, with West Virginia as one of the few states requiring it
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Uses more tech-enhanced question types, including drag-and-drop and fill-in-the-blank formats
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Also includes an essay, built into the RLA section rather than tested separately
Scoring and passing requirements
HiSET
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Scored on a 1 - 20 scale for each of the five subtests
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Requires a minimum of 8 out of 20 on each subject
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Also requires a combined total score of at least 45 across all five subjects
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The essay portion needs a minimum of 2 out of 6 points
GED
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Scored on a 100 - 200 scale for each of the four subjects
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Requires a minimum of 145 on each subject individually, with no combined total required
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Scoring 165 or higher earns a "College Ready" designation
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Scoring 175 or higher earns "College Ready + Credit," which can translate into actual college credit at some schools
Requires a minimum of 145 on each subject individually, with no combined total required. If you want to understand what these numbers mean in more depth, the GED passing score breakdown covers all three tiers.
Test cost
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HiSET typically runs $15 to $25 per subject, though this varies by state and by whether you test on paper or computer
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GED typically runs $30 to $40 per subject, though checking your state's exact GED test cost is worth doing since fees vary significantly
Since HiSET tests five subjects and GED tests four, the per-subject savings on HiSET narrows somewhat once you add up the full exam, but HiSET still tends to come out less expensive overall in most states.
HiSET vs GED difficulty: Which test is easier?
Neither test is objectively harder across the board. What feels easier often comes down to your own strengths and how comfortable you are with the testing format itself.
Math difficulty
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GED Math is frequently cited as the more challenging option, partly due to its reliance on tech-enhanced question types like drag-and-drop and fill-in-the-blank formats
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HiSET Math uses a more traditional multiple-choice format, which some test-takers find easier to navigate even when the underlying content is similarly difficult
Reading and writing difficulty
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GED combines reading and writing into a single Reasoning Through Language Arts test, which some people find more efficient to prepare for
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HiSET separates Reading and Writing into two distinct subjects, letting you focus on one skill at a time, though this also means two separate passing scores to hit instead of one
Science and Social Studies difficulty
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Both tests cover similar content in these subjects, with no strong consensus on either being harder
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GED tends to use more scenario-based, tech-enhanced questions in these sections
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HiSET sticks closer to a traditional multiple-choice format throughout
Ultimately, the format itself, computer-based and tech-enhanced versus multiple-choice and paper-friendly, tends to matter more than the subject content when people describe one test as "easier" than the other.
FAQs
1. Is the HiSET harder than the GED?
Not necessarily. Most test-takers find the difficulty comparable overall, though GED Math tends to get more complaints due to its tech-enhanced question formats, while HiSET's traditional multiple-choice style can feel more approachable to some. Which one feels harder usually comes down to personal comfort with the format rather than the actual content being tested.
2. Is the HiSET better than the GED?
Neither is objectively better, since both lead to the same recognized equivalency credential. The right choice depends on your situation: HiSET tends to cost less and offers a paper-based option, while GED is accepted in every state and offers the College Ready designation that can translate into college credit.
3. Is HiSET a GED or diploma?
Neither, technically. HiSET is its own separate high school equivalency test, developed independently from the GED. Both credentials serve the same purpose and are treated equally by colleges and employers, but they're not interchangeable names for the same exam.
Conclusion
So, when it comes to HiSET vs GED, the better choice depends less on which test is "easier" and more on what's actually available where you live, along with your budget and testing format preference. If your state offers both and you're still deciding, working through a GED practice test can give you a clearer sense of whether its format feels manageable before you commit to one path over the other.