North Carolina GED and HiSET Requirements
- Resident: You do not have to be a resident of North Carolina.
- Age: You must be 18 years old or older. However, you can take the test at 16 or 17 if you contact your local North Carolina Basic Skills Education program for the appropriate forms.
- Enrolled: You cannot be enrolled in an accredited high school or be a high school graduate.
- Cost: GED at a Test Center: $26 (per subject). GED Test Online: $36 (per subject). HiSET: $10 (per subject); $50 (all subjects).
- 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 for the GED test if needed and check for other GED North Carolina rules and requirements. You have to do the same for disability accommodations for the HiSET exam if you need it, and be sure to check for other HiSET North Carolina rules and requirements.
- Diploma: Whether you pass the GED test or HiSET exam, the State of North Carolina will award you a high school equivalency certificate that will show 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 high school equivalency in North Carolina.
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 North Carolina'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 North Carolina 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 a free online HSE practice test for both GED. We also offer a free online HiSET practice test too. 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 North Carolina: 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 North Carolina HiSET or GED certificate.
The North Carolina GED test consists of Math, Social Studies, Science, and Language Arts. The North Carolina 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 | $20 | $80 |
| HiSET® Exam | $10 | $50 |
| TEST | SCORE |
|---|---|
| GED | 145 minimum per subject |
| HiSET | 8 minimum per subject, combined minimum of 45, 2 minimum on the essay |
For the GED test, you can retest 3 times, but after those you will have to wait 60 days before you can retest again. There is no limit on how many times you test a year.
For the HiSET exam, you can take each subject three times in a year.
The North Carolina GED and HiSET tests can be taken online• or at an official testing center. You can find the closest center in North Carolina on our list of testing centers.
*Online Proctored GED test notification update: 7-26-2021
Beginning September 1st, 2021, there will be an Online Proctored (OP) GED test option, which means that you will have the option to take your GED test remotely (online). For more information, please visit our article Getting GED Online.
No, you are not required to be a resident in North Carolina to take the GED or HiSET.
You must be 18 years of age.
You can take the test if you are 16 or 17 if you obtain special approval. Contact your local North Carolina Basic Skills Education program for the appropriate forms.
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.
To get a copy of your North Carolina GED or HiSET transcript, you can request it here.
Over 20 Million Adults
That's how many have successfully passed the GED Test. So why wait?
Sign Up Now"At my age, it was difficult to enter the testing center and not feel ashamed by the younger folks’ stares. GED Academy prepared me to overcome that fear through preparation. Much of what I had forgotten in my youth came back to me as I studied for the GED exam. I re-learned things that I had forgotten I even knew, to begin with."