Iowa HiSET Requirements
- Resident: You do not have to be a resident of Iowa.
- Age: You must be at least 18 years of age. But you can take the exam at 16 if you are a resident of an Iowa Juvenile Institution or under the supervision of a juvenile probation officer. If you are 17 and do not meet the above criteria, you can still take the exam but you will not be issued your high school equivalency diploma until you are 18 and your 9th grade class has graduated. Other Iowa State rules may apply so be sure to check for additional requirements.
- Enrolled: You cannot be enrolled in an accredited high school or be a high school graduate.
- Community College Enrollment: You must be enrolled in one of Iowa’s 15 Community Colleges. You can contact your nearest Community College by visiting the Educate.Iowa.gov website. Importantly, you will be turned away at the testing center and not allowed to proceed until enrolled in one of Iowa’s 15 Community Colleges adult education programs to support you on your HSE journey.
- Identification and official practice test verification are required on the test day.
- Cost: $15 (per subject); $75 (all subjects)
- Score: 8 in each subtest, combined score of 45; minimum of 2 on the Language Arts, Writing essay.
- Accommodations: You must apply for disability accommodations through the HiSET exam’s accommodations page.
- Diploma: After you pass the test, the State of Iowa will award you a HiSET certificate showing you have achieved the same level of knowledge as a high school graduate.
Online HiSET Classes
Online programs like HiSET Academy are available to help you get your HiSET fast and easy.
Below you’ll find answers to the questions we get asked the most about how to get a HiSET in Iowa.
In Iowa, you can earn a high school equivalency certificate by taking the HiSET exam. Employers and 99% of colleges will accept a HiSET certificate in place of a high school diploma.
The Iowa HiSET exam tests you on Math, Social Studies, Science, and Language Arts.
| SUBJECT | TIME |
|---|---|
| Math | 115 minutes |
| Social Studies | 90 minutes |
| Science | 90 minutes |
| Language Arts | 150 minutes |
| Total | 7 hours, 41 minutes |
| SUBJECT | # OF QUESTIONS |
|---|---|
| Math | 46 |
| Social Studies | 35 |
| Science | 34 |
| Language Arts | 46 |
The HiSET exam in Iowa costs:
- Paper Test: $15 per subject, or $75 for the full test
- Computer Test: $15 per subject, or $75 for the full test
- Test at Home: $32.50 per subject, or $162.50 for the full test
You must score a minimum of 8 points in each subject, a minimum score of 45 points combined, and at least 2 points on the Language Arts Writing essay component.
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.
The Iowa HiSET exam can be taken at an official Iowa HiSET testing center or online. You can find the closest center to you on our list of Iowa testing centers.
You do not have to be a resident of Iowa to take the test in Iowa.
You must be 18 years of age. However, if you are 16 or 17 you can get a waiver from your local School Board.
If you have a disability, you can apply for disability accommodations through the HiSET exam's accommodations page.
To get a copy of your Iowa HiSET transcript, you can request it through the HiSET testing service.
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