What the Course Entails and Exam Details

The HiSET Reading exam focuses on measuring your proficiency in understanding, interpreting, and analyzing written texts. The test content is broadly divided into two major categories: Informational Texts and Literary Texts.

Approximately 40% of the exam covers Informational Texts. These are non-fiction passages that you might encounter in everyday life, work, or other academic subjects like science and social studies. When working with informational content, you will be tested on your ability to:

• Identify an author's main point and supporting details.

• Analyze the structure of an argument, including the use of logic and evidence.

• Determine the meaning of words and phrases used in context, including technical or specialized language.

• Make logical inferences and draw conclusions based on the provided information.

The remaining 60% of the test focuses on Literary Texts. These can include a variety of fictional works such as short stories, novels, poetry, and drama. For literary content, you will need to demonstrate skills in:

• Analyzing the development of complex characters and plotlines.

• Identifying major themes or underlying messages within a story.

• Understanding and interpreting figurative language, such as metaphors, similes, and personification.

• Describing how an author’s choice of structure, such as sequencing of events, affects the passage’s meaning.

What to Expect in the Final Exam

The official HiSET Language Arts – Reading subtest is a single, timed section. The standard exam allows test-takers 65 minutes (or up to 80 minutes for the Spanish version) to complete 50 multiple-choice questions.

All questions are multiple-choice, which means you will read a passage and then select the best answer from several options. A crucial detail is that you must pass all five subtests (Language Arts – Reading, Language Arts – Writing, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies) to earn your high school equivalency credential. On each individual subtest, you need to achieve a scaled score of at least 8 out of 20. Furthermore, your total combined score for all five subtests must be at least 45 points.

Depending on your testing center and state, you may have the option to take the exam in either a computer-based (CBT) or paper-based (PBT) format. Computer-based testing is often preferred as it allows for immediate, unofficial scoring of all multiple-choice sections before you leave the center. You can check your state’s specific requirements and available formats to choose what best fits your needs.

How to Study and Exam Centers

Effective preparation is the key to passing the HiSET Reading exam. Start by creating a detailed study plan that gives you ample time to review materials and practice. Leverage the wide array of official HiSET study companions, free sample questions, and practice tests available on the HiSET website and through approved adult education programs. Taking multiple full-length practice tests is the best way to familiarize yourself with the exam format, time constraints, and the types of reading passages and questions you will face.

Consider enrolling in a HiSET preparation class. Many local adult education centers, community colleges, and libraries offer these classes, and in most states, they are free of charge. These courses provide expert instruction, structured study, and support from peers who are also on the same journey. If you prefer to study on your own, look for updated study guides and test-prep books specifically designed for the HiSET exam.

To take the actual HiSET exam, you must register and schedule an appointment at an authorized testing center. HiSET is a state-administered program, so you must select a center in a participating state or jurisdiction that has adopted the HiSET exam. Most large cities and many smaller communities have testing locations in adult schools, community colleges, and specialized testing facilities. In some states, there may even be options for online-proctored exams that you can take at home or school, but you will need to verify this possibility with your local testing authorities.

Job Opportunities from the Course

Earning your high school equivalency credential by passing the HiSET unlocks a diverse range of immediate job opportunities and forms the foundation for advanced career training and higher education. This credential signals to employers that you have the essential reading and critical thinking skills required in today's demanding workplace.

Below are specific job titles and career paths that often become accessible after you have obtained your high school equivalency:

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

• Medical Assistant

• Phlebotomy Technician

• Patient Care Technician

• Apprentice or Journeyman roles in skilled trades: carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, HVAC, welding

• Manufacturing Technician

• Quality Control Inspector

• Sales Representative

• Underwriter

• Insurance Claims Adjuster

• Property Manager

• Real Estate Agent

• Information Technology (IT) roles, such as Help Desk Technician and various entry-level positions

Furthermore, the credential is your ticket to continuing your education. It qualifies you to attend credit-bearing college courses at community, technical, or four-year universities, opening up an even wider world of career possibilities and long-term advancement.