HiSET Score Calculator
The HiSET passing score is at least 8 out of 20 on each of the five subtests, a total of at least 45 across all five, and at least 2 out of 6 on the essay. You must meet all three rules.
Not an official source. Check your official score report and your state’s rules before you rely on it.
Enter your scores to check each passing rule.
HiSET passing score: the official rule
To pass the full HiSET battery you must meet all three requirements: at least 8 on each of the five subtests, at least 2 out of 6 on the essay portion of the Writing test, and a total combined score of at least 45 across all five subtests. Writing scores from different test dates can't be combined.
Source: hiset.org, published 2026-06-01, checked 2026-11-01How the Writing score and essay fit together
Language Arts – Writing. The essay is scored separately on a 0–6 scale and must be at least 2; the Writing subtest's 1–20 score combines the multiple-choice section (scaled 1–14) with the essay score.
Source: hiset.org, checked 2026-11-01College and career readiness
A score of at least 15 out of 20 on any subtest, and for Language Arts – Writing also at least 4 out of 6 on the essay. Hiset.org says this means the test taker scored the same as or higher than 75 percent of graduating high school students.
Source: hiset.org, checked 2026-11-01Which states use the HiSET?
24 states offer the HiSET. Your state sets the rules for earning the credential and may add requirements.
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