HiSET scores: 8 on each subtest, 45 in all, results and the diploma
Type your five subtest scores and your essay score: the checker applies the three HiSET rules at once and says which one still blocks you.
Your HiSET result
Not yet
1 subtest under 8
| Total | 45 / 100 |
| Math | 9 / 20 |
| Science | 10 / 20 |
| Social studies | 8 / 20 |
| Reading | 11 / 20 |
| Writing | 7 / 20 |
| Essay | 3 / 6 |
Rules from hiset.org: 8 of 20 on each subtest, 45 of 100 in all, 2 of 6 on the essay. College and career readiness: 15 on a subtest, 4 on the essay.
Prepared by Radif Partners · Method · fees and rules read on ged.com and hiset.org on October 22, 2026
To pass the HiSET you must meet three rules at the same time. Each of the five subtests is scored from 1 to 20, and each needs at least 8. The five scores added together must reach 45 of 100, which is more than five times 8: someone who scores exactly 8 everywhere has 40 and still fails. The essay in the language arts writing subtest needs at least 2 of 6. A strong subtest therefore helps the total, unlike the GED, where each subject stands alone. hiset.org posts official scores within 3 business days on average for multiple-choice subtests and 5 for writing; paper tests can take longer. Your Comprehensive Score Report keeps your highest score on each subtest and is updated whenever a retake improves one. A score of 15 on a subtest and 4 on the essay marks college and career readiness, a level hiset.org describes as scoring the same or higher than 75 percent of graduating high school students. The credential itself is issued by your state.
The three passing rules
| Rule | Minimum | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Each of the five subtests | 8 | 1 to 20 |
| Total of the five subtests | 45 | 5 to 100 |
| Essay, language arts writing | 2 | 1 to 6 |
| College and career readiness, per subtest | 15 | 1 to 20 |
| College and career readiness, essay | 4 | 1 to 6 |
All three rules count at once. The total is what most people overlook: 8 on each subtest only gives 40, so you need 5 more points somewhere, on average 9 a subtest. On the other hand a strong subject carries a weaker one, as long as the weaker one reaches 8.
Two subtests and the essay, checked
Your HiSET result
Passed
| Total | 46 / 100 |
| Math | 8 / 20 |
| Science | 10 / 20 |
| Social studies | 8 / 20 |
Three sets of scores, read through
Ana: 9, 9, 8, 10, 8, essay 3. Every subtest reaches 8 and the essay passes, but the total is 44: one point short. One more point on any subtest finishes it, and since only the highest score counts, she can retake the subtest she finds easiest. Marcus: 14, 12, 7, 13, 11, essay 4. The total is 57, well above 45, yet social studies at 7 blocks the credential; that is the only subtest to retake. Rosa: 10, 11, 9, 12, 10, essay 1. All five subtests and the total of 52 pass, but an essay of 1 fails the writing rule, so the writing subtest must be taken again. The checker above gives these readings in a second.
When the scores arrive
hiset.org posts official scores after a quality check: on average within 3 business days for the multiple-choice subtests and 5 business days for language arts writing, because the essay is scored by readers. On paper the delay can be longer if the test center is late sending the answer sheets. The scores appear in your HiSET account. Plan a retake after the score is posted, not before, since the second attempt is priced only once you know you need it.
The two score reports
Each attempt produces an Individual Test Report with more detailed feedback on that subtest. Above them sits the Comprehensive Score Report, which shows your highest scaled score on each subtest and whether you have passed the whole exam. It updates each time you take a new subtest or retake one and do better. A worse retake does not lower anything, which is why a retake to lift the total is low risk.
What a retake costs
On the price pages hiset.org publishes for each state, the full fee is paid only on the first and fourth attempt of a subtest; the second and third cost only the test center fee, or the proctoring fee at home. In Ohio a subtest costs $26 at a center, so a second attempt costs $8. Your state sets how soon you can retest and how often per year: the retake calculator gives the price of each attempt in your state and the HiSET cost page lists the fees state by state.
College and career readiness
A score of 15 or more on a subtest, and 4 or more on the essay, is the college and career readiness level. hiset.org explains it as scoring the same or higher than 75 percent of graduating high school students and gives no other detail on how it was set. It is not needed to pass. Each college decides whether it accepts it in place of a placement test, so ask the admissions office before you enroll.
HiSET and GED scores side by side
The GED is scored from 100 to 200 and needs 145 in each of four subjects, with no total. The HiSET adds the total rule, so strong subjects help. Scores never transfer between the two tests. The GED score checker does the same reading for the GED, and the HiSET practice questions let you test yourself before booking.
From scores to the credential
Passing all five subtests is the HiSET part. Your state then issues the diploma or certificate, sometimes after its own conditions such as a civics test or a set score, and sends it to the address in your HiSET account. Extra copies and official transcripts are ordered from the state, not from ETS.