Massachusetts GED Test and HiSET Requirements
- Resident: You are required to be a resident of Massachusetts.
- Age: You must be 18 years of age. However, you can take the test at 16 or 17 if you meet additional requirements.
- Enrolled: You cannot be enrolled in an accredited high school or be a high school graduate.
- Cost: GED at a Test Center: $36 (per subject). GED Test Online: This state does not offer online testing.
- Score: GED: 145 (minimum) in each subject. HiSET: 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 HiSET's test accommodations page or the GED testing service's accommodations page.
- Diploma: After you pass the test, the State of Massachusetts will award you a HiSET or GED certificate, showing you have achieved the same level of knowledge as a high school graduate.
Online GED or HiSET Classes
Online programs like GED Academy are available to help you get your GED fast and easy.
Below you’ll find answers to the questions we get asked the most about how to get a GED and HiSET in Massachusetts.
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 HSE test eligibility requirements. You can find Massachusetts's 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 Massachusetts 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.
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.
The GED testing service offers an official GED practice test for $6 per subject. Essential Education offers both a free online GED practice test and a free online HiSET practice test. You can take our free practice test in one subject, several subjects, or all of the subjects.
There are two high school equivalency exams given in Massachusetts: HiSET and GED. Both 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 Massachusetts HiSET or GED.
The Massachusetts GED exam tests you on Math, Social Studies, Science, and Language Arts. The Massachusetts HiSET exam tests you on Math, Social Studies, Science, Reading, and Writing.
| GED TEST | |
|---|---|
| SUBJECT | TIME |
| Math | 115 minutes |
| Social Studies | 90 minutes |
| Science | 90 minutes |
| Language Arts | 150 minutes |
| Total | 7 hours, 41 minutes |
| HiSET EXAM | |
|---|---|
| SUBJECT | TIME |
| Math | 90 minutes |
| Social Studies | 70 minutes |
| Science | 80 minutes |
| Reading | 60 minutes |
| Writing | 120 minutes |
| Total | 7 hours |
| GED TEST | |
|---|---|
| SUBJECT | # OF QUESTIONS |
| Math | 46 |
| Social Studies | 35 |
| Science | 34 |
| Language Arts | 46 |
| HiSET EXAM | |
|---|---|
| SUBJECT | # OF QUESTIONS |
| Math | 40-50 |
| Social Studies | 40-50 |
| Science | 40-50 |
| Reading | 40-50 |
| Writing | 40-50 + essay |
| TEST | PER SUBJECT | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|
| GED® Test | $31.25 | $125 |
| HiSET® Exam | $24 | $120 |
| TEST | SCORE |
|---|---|
| GED | 145 minimum per subject |
| HiSET | 8 minimum per subject, combined minimum of 45, 2 minimum on the essay |
For the Massachusetts GED test, there is no waiting period for the first 3 retakes. After the 3rd retake, you have to wait 60 days before testing again. There’s no yearly testing limit.
For the Massachusetts HiSET exam, you can retake each HiSET subtest twice per year.
The Massachusetts HiSET exam can be taken online or at an official testing center. The GED test must be taken at an official testing center. You can find the closest center to you on our list of testing centers.
You are required to be a resident of Massachusetts to take the GED or HiSET.
You must be 18 years of age.
If you are 16 or 17 you cannot schedule a test until an official Letter of Withdrawal from the last school you attended is approved by the Massachusetts High School Equivalency Office.
- Must be on school letterhead, including the address and phone number
- Includes the last date of your attendance and the date of withdrawal
- Comes from the office of the Principal, Headmaster, or the Head of Guidance
- Must be signed by the Principal, Headmaster, of the Head of Guidance
Once completed, submit the letter including your name, phone number and email address either by email to ostroud@doe.mass.edu or by mail to:
HSE Office 3rd Floor
75 Pleasant Street
Maiden, MA 02148
Attn: Olympia Stroud
If you have a disability, you can apply for GED disability accommodations or HiSET disability accommodations. Don’t know if you qualify? Click here for more information.
Over 20 Million Adults
That's how many have successfully passed the GED Test. So why wait?
Sign Up Now"I was born very poor to a single parent house hold in the black ghetto section of Boston, Massachusetts, and was raised on welfare. It was very difficult growing up under these conditions and I even took to a brief life of crime... it lead me to my first positive male role model in the form of a corrections officer. On his positive influence, I took and passed the GED exam and was on my way to a four-year college by the age of 20. I did indeed graduate from college and attained a Master’s degree by the year 2000 in Political Science."