Illinois HiSET® Requirements

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About the Illinois HiSET® Exam 

Earn the credential your future needs with the HiSET® High School Equivalency Test. 

If you want to find a better job or take the first step on a pathway to a career, then you need to earn a high school equivalency credential. It is required for college and more important than ever to employers. Taking the HiSET exam can help change your life and expand your opportunities like it’s done for other test takers.

See the Illinois Community College Board website  for more information.

Eligibility Requirements

To take the HiSET exam in Illinois, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Age: You must be 17 years of age or older and not required to be enrolled in high school under Illinois state law in order to take the HiSET exam in Illinois. If you are under 18 years of age, you must also meet the following requirements:

  • 17 years old — you must present proof of withdrawal from the last school enrolled in before taking the HiSET exam.
  • 16 years old — you may register for the HiSET exam only if you are currently enrolled in the Illinois National Guard’s Lincoln’s Challenge Program or a qualified Alternative Learning Opportunity Program through your Regional Office of Education.

Homeschooled: If homeschooled, you must provide a signed letter from the person responsible for your homeschooling (e.g., parent, guardian, instructor, etc.) stating that you are no longer in the program and are not currently enrolled in any other secondary school. You can find the complete withdrawal documentation requirements on the Illinois Community College Board website.

Homeschooled test takers must submit proof of withdrawal by email to [email protected] or by fax to 1-217-558-6700.

When you submit your documentation, you must also provide your HiSET/PSI Identification Number (provided to you by email when you created your HiSET account) so that the age-related hold can be removed from your HiSET account. 

Residency: You must be a resident of Illinois for 30 days or more prior to taking the HiSET exam. You will be required to show proof of residency at the testing center prior to taking your exam. On the day of your test, if you do not bring valid proof of residency, you will not be allowed to test. Individuals not allowed to test for this reason are considered no-shows to the exam and are not eligible for a refund of fees.

Test Preparation or Instruction: Illinois does not require you to prepare for the HiSET exam in an adult education classroom, but it is recommended. Find an Adult Education Program near you.

Practice Test: Illinois does not require you to take a practice test before testing.

Constitution Test: In Illinois, prior to receiving a high school equivalency certificate, you are required to pass an approved high school-level U.S. Constitution, Illinois Constitution and Flag Test. You may take this exam before or after you take your HiSET exam. To learn more about this requirement, please visit the Illinois Community College Board website. To schedule a testing time, contact your local Regional Office of Education.

Identification: You must provide a valid government-issued photo ID that displays your full name (matching the name used for exam registration), address, date of birth, signature and photograph.

On the day of your test, if you do not bring a valid government-issued ID, you will not be allowed to test. Individuals not allowed to test for this reason are considered no-shows to the exam, and are not eligible for a refund of fees.

Acceptable forms of photo ID include:

  • Valid driver’s license
  • Valid State ID
  • Valid passport
  • Military ID
  • Any other form of government-issued ID (national or foreign), including Matricula Consular

IMPORTANT: If you do not bring the appropriate documentation on test day, you will not be allowed to test and will be considered a no-show which is ineligible for a refund.

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HiSET Illinois Testing Options and Fees

Total fees per paper subtest

$23

Total expected fees to complete the HiSET assuming no retake attempts and completion in a single calendar year:

$115

Subtest fee breakdown:

Test Fee: $15

Test Center Fee: $8

State Admin Fee: $0

Test Location: Test Center

Total fees per computer subtest

$23

Total expected fees to complete the HiSET assuming no retake attempts and completion in a single calendar year:

$115

Subtest fee breakdown:

Test Fee: $15

Test Center Fee: $8

State Admin Fee: $0

Test Location: Test Center

Total fees per Test @ Home subtest

$32.50

Total expected fees to complete the HiSET assuming no retake attempts and completion in a single calendar year:

$162.50

Subtest fee breakdown:

Test Fee: $15

Remote Proctor Fee: $17.50

State Admin Fee: $0

Test Location: Offsite, remote proctored. System requirements and test environment guidelines must be met.

Retesting

What to know: HiSET test takers may take each subtest a maximum of six (6) times in a calendar year.

How it works: If you take your first official HiSET subtest in the month of January and then take 5 retakes at a test center between February and November, you would not be permitted to take that subtest again until the next calendar year starting in January.

What it costs: You may retake each subtest two times over the 12 months following your first attempt by paying only the test center fee (noted above for each in-person subtest) or the at-home online proctor fee ($17.50 for each at-home subtest). You will be charged the full amount including the Test Fee when scheduling your fourth attempt within the 12 months following your first attempt.

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