South Portland Adult Education
Your Path Forward Starts Here
Earn Your HiSET®
If you didn’t finish high school, you know that even with talent and drive, not having a diploma can limit your opportunities.
By taking the HiSET, you can earn a state-issued high school equivalency credential allowing you to advance your career, join the military, begin a training program or continue your education.
We offer HiSET coursework and testing for adult students free of charge.
The HiSET is Maine’s high school equivalency exam. Maine does not use the GED test.
What is on the HiSET®?
The HiSET exam is a five-part test. Passing scores show you can perform at a level consistent with high school equivalency. Information from the exam also helps to identify areas in which you are career and college ready, as well as areas in which additional preparation may be needed.
Time: 65 minutes (80 minutes for Spanish)
Format: Multiple Choice
Content: This section measures your ability to understand, interpret and analyze a broad range of literary and informational texts.
Time: 120 Minutes
Format: Multiple-choice and an essay prompt
Content: This section measures your ability to recognize and produce standard American English, edit and revise written text, and generate and organize ideas in writing.
Time: 90 Minutes
Format: Multiple Choice
Content: This section measures mathematical knowledge and competencies. You may use a calculator for this section.
Time: 80 Minutes
Format: Multiple Choice
Content: This section measures your ability to use science content knowledge, apply principles of scientific inquiry, and interpret and evaluate scientific information.
Time: 70 Minutes
Format: Multiple Choice
Content: This section measures your ability to analyze and evaluate information in history, political science, psychology, sociology, anthropology, geography and economics.
HiSET® Requirements
In order to take the official HiSET tests, you must meet the following criteria:
⋅ Be 17 years or older
⋅ Preparation for HiSET may begin before the student is 17.
⋅ Students must be withdrawn from high school to take official HiSET tests.
⋅ Pass all 5 HiSET pretests with a score of “prepared,” or “well-prepared”
⋅ Have a valid Maine photo ID at the time of testing
