What is GED/HISET? 

One of the main questions asked, what is the difference between the GED test and the HiSET?  

The General Educational Development (GED) test is a computer-based test that measures high school level knowledge and skills. The GED test has four main areas of testing which include Mathematics, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. In order to take the GED, a candidate cannot be enrolled in high school and must be at least 18 years old. The test can be taken all at once or one area at a time, depending on the candidate’s decision. Once the candidate passes all four subjects, they will receive their official diploma.  

The High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) is a computer-based test and a paper-based test, candidates can take the test in their preferred method. The HiSET has five main areas of testing which include Language Arts, Language Arts (writing portion), Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. In order to take the HiSET, a candidate has to be at least 18 years old or 17 years old in some instances. The test can be taken all at once or one area at a time, depending on the candidate’s decision. Once the candidate passes all five areas, they will receive their California High School Equivalency credential.  

Preparation classes at LAHC 

Our Adult Education & Noncredit program strives for student success and greater opportunities. Receiving a GED/HiSET helps our students obtain those greater opportunities. We also strive to help our students pass their High School Equivalency test by offering FREE GED Preparation courses here in the Los Angeles Harbor College campus. These GED Preparation courses help our students review the different subjects in the GED test.

What is SB554?

Our Adult Education & Noncredit Center offers an Adult K-12 Dual Enrollment Program. This program helps our noncredit students take college classes and receive credit towards a college certificate/degree for FREE while taking their GED preparation classes. There are a variety of benefits being part of this program such as having the tuition paid for credit courses taken, qualifying for financial aid after, fast tracking completion on High School Diploma and college certificate/diploma, and much more! 

For students to qualify for the Adult K-12 Dual Enrollment Program they have to be California residents for 366 days before the start of the term, students have to be 16 years old or older, students must not have a High School diploma equivalent, and students must be enrolled in a High School diploma or equivalency program at an adult school or noncredit community college program.

How to apply to SB554?

If students are eligible to apply to the Adult K-12 Dual Enrollment Program, they will have to meet with one of our Adult Education counselors. When meeting with our counselor, they will explain the process and help the student complete an application for the Adult K-12 Dual Enrollment Program. The counselor will also help the student create a student educational plan, which helps students map out their courses throughout the semesters. 

Testing for GED

Recently, our Adult Education & Noncredit Center was authorized by Pearson Vue to open a testing center for GED testing! The testing center is located in Los Angeles Harbor College Technology Building, room 202. To take the GED test, candidates will go to ged.com and create an account. Once they have an account the candidate can book an appointment in our testing center. Please note, if there are no dates available online, please email the Adult Education department to adulted@lahc.edu. 

Official and Practice test  

GED offers the official GED test and the official GED practice test known as the GED Ready. The official GED test is the test candidates take when they are ready to receive their diploma, once all four subjects are passed.  

The GED Ready is a practice test candidates can take to build the confidence they need to pass the GED test. It provides candidates with an idea of what they would need to study and what they should expect on the day of the official test. The GED Ready provides candidates questions that are just like the ones that are on the official test.  

What is the cost to take the GED exam?

The cost of the GED test within the state of California is $41 per subject when testing in-person at a test center or online from home. Please note that the cost varies by state. The fee is due when booking an appointment on ged.com. If candidates retake any section of the test, they will have to pay the same amount per subject, $41. 

GED® Cost 

How to schedule the appointment guide 

To view a step-by-step guide on how to book a GED test appointment through the GED website, click here. 

If you have any questions or concerns on the GED Preparation classes or on how to make a GED test appointment, please contact the Adult Education Center at 310-233-4450.