Illinois GED and HiSET Requirements
- Resident: You must be a resident of Illinois for 30 days or more.
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Age:
- 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.
- Enrolled: You cannot be enrolled in an accredited high school or be a high school graduate.
- Online Testing: Yes, you can take the GED and HiSET online in California.
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Cost:
- 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.
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Score:
- GED: A minimum score of 145 is required on each subject to pass.
- HiSET: A minimum score of 8 is required on each subtest, with a combined score of 45. The Language Arts, Writing essay requires a minimum score of 2.
- Accommodations: You must apply for disability accommodations through the GED Testing Service website or fill out a HiSET Accommodations Request Form on the HiSET website.
- Additional Requirements: In Illinois, you are also required to pass the Illinois Constitution Test to earn your diploma. The Constitution Test can be taken online through the Illinois Community College Board website.
- 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.
Online GED and HiSET Classes in Illinois
Need help studying? GED & HiSET Academy will help you get your Illinois GED or HiSET fast and easy. Join over 4.5 million adults who took our online classes to prepare for the GED & HiSET test!
Below you’ll find answers to the most frequently asked questions about how to obtain your GED or HiSET in Illinois.
Yes. In fact, GED Academy is the only home study course that is 100% approved by the GED Testing Service. This is why over 4.5 million people have used GED Academy to get their GED Credential. Fast, easy, and simple on your mobile phone.
If you're like many Americans, you're probably wondering: How can I get my GED fast? Well, the good news is that earning your GED certificate is easier than you think. The sooner you start, the sooner you can meet your goals.
Take the steps one at a time.
- Check Your Eligibility: Every state has its own GED test eligibility requirements. You can find Illinois' requirements here.
- Learn the Material: Study for the test. You can study on your own, in a local GED-prep classroom, or online.
- Practice the Material: Establish a quiet study space. Focus your study with a guides or online classes. Check your learning with practice tests.
- Register: When you're ready, schedule your test online.
- Take the Test: On test day, bring a non-expired, government-issued photo ID. All personal items must remain outside of the testing area.
After you pass the test, the State of Illinois will award you a GED certificate that will show you have achieved the same level of knowledge as a high school graduate.
How long does it take to go through GED classes?
It varies by student, but here at GED Academy most students complete their coursework in about three months.
I didn't pass. How many times can you take the GED?
Some states have individual policies about retaking the test, but generally you can take the test about three times a year. Don't worry, you won't have to retake any subjects you passed previously.
The GED testing service offers an official GED practice test for $7.99 per subject. Essential Education offers a free online GED practice test. We also offer a free online HiSET practice test if you plan to take that test. You can take our free practice test in one subject, several subjects, or all of the subjects.
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.
There are three high school equivalency exams given in Illinois: GED and HiSET. All three 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 Illinois HiSET or Illinois GED.
- 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:
Subject |
Time |
---|---|
Language Arts | 150 minutes |
Math | 115 minutes |
Science | 90 minutes |
Social Studies | 90 minutes |
Total | 7 hours, 41 minutes |
HiSET Exam:
Subject |
Time |
---|---|
Reading | 60 minutes |
Writing | 120 minutes |
Math | 90 minutes |
Science | 80 minutes |
Social Studies | 70 minutes |
Total | 7 hours |
GED Test:
Subject |
# of Questions |
---|---|
Language Arts | 46 |
Math | 46 |
Science | 34 |
Social Studies | 35 |
HiSET Exam:
Subject |
# of Questions |
---|---|
Reading | 40-50 |
Writing | 40-50 + essay |
Math | 40-50 |
Science | 40-50 |
Social Studies | 40-50 |
GED: 145 minimum per subject
HiSET: 8 minimum per subtest, combined minimum of 45, 2 minimum on the essay
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.
- A passing score on the Illinois GED test is 145 (minimum) in each subject.
- A passing score for the HiSET exam in Illinois is 8 in each subtest, combined score of 45; minimum of 2 on the Language Arts, Writing essay.
You can retake each subject up to 3 times without waiting. The fourth retake requires a 60 day waiting period. You will be offered a discounted price for your first two retakes ($12 per retake instead of $32). To receive additional discounted retakes, you must wait 60 days, pay the full price of $32, and then you will receive two more discounted retakes. All retakes must occur within 12 months of the initial attempt.
To get a copy of your Illinois transcript, you can request it through the GED Testing Service or HiSET.
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