High School Equivalency (HSE) Testing
Related Information
CNM's Adult Basic Education Program offers High School Equivalency (HSE) Exam Preparation courses in both English and Spanish.
In-person GED tests are available at the Main, Rio Rancho and Westside Campus Assessment Centers. In-person HiSET testing is available at the Main, Montoya, Rio Rancho, and Westside Assessment Centers.
A valid (non-expired) government-issued photo ID is required. Please leave all other personal belongings, such as cell phones, purses, hats, wallets, and watches at home or secure them in your vehicle.
The GED and HiSET
The GED exam is available on computer only, and currently is only administered at the CNM Main Campus the Westside Campus, and the Rio Rancho Campus. The exam is offered in both English and Spanish.
The HiSET exam is available in CBT (Computer-Based Testing) format and offered at the Main Campus, the Westside Campus, the Rio Rancho Campus and the Montoya Campus. The exam is offered in both English and Spanish. Please email [email protected] if interested in taking a paper and pencil version of the HiSET.
GED and HiSET test scores can now be combined to earn your HSE diploma:
- Total Transcript allows those who have previously taken portions of the GED and/or HiSET to combine test scores to earn an HSE Credential. The student must take and pass all the subject tests to get the credential, but can mix and match the GED and HiSET sections.
- HiSET tests must have an average score of 9. GED tests are eligible only if they were taken in 2014 or after.
Test Content Areas
The GED Test is Made Up of Four Subtests:
- Reasoning through Language Arts is 155 minutes and includes a 10-minute break.
- Mathematical Reasoning is 120 minutes, which includes a calculator-prohibited and on-screen calculator-allowed section.
- Science is 95 minutes.
- Social Studies is 95 minutes. Types of questions include multiple-choice, drag and drop, Hot spot, Fill in the blank, short answer, and extended response.
The HiSET Test is Made Up of Five Subtests:
- Language Arts-Reading is 65 minutes with 40 multiple-choice questions.
- Language Arts-Writing has two parts: part 1 is 75 minutes with 50 multiple choice questions; part 2 is a 45-minute essay.
- Mathematics is 90 minutes with 50 multiple-choice questions.
- Science is 80 minutes with 50 multiple-choice questions.
- Social Studies is 70 minutes with 50 multiple-choice questions.
CNM HSE Voucher Scholarship
Students can earn free exam vouchers for each section of the GED or HiSET. To qualify students must take the practice tests at a CNM Assessment office and must pass the practice test with qualifying scores.
GED
To earn GED vouchers for the actual GED exam, students must score a minimum of 145 on the GED Ready practice test of that exam section at a CNM Assessment Office. The four sections are Math, Science, Language Arts (Reading and Writing) and Social Studies.
HiSET
To earn HiSET vouchers for the actual HiSET exam, students must test at a CNM Assessment Office and place into one of the two highest levels of preparation, either "Well Prepared" or "Prepared". The five sections for the HiSET exam are Math, Science, Language Arts Reading, Language Arts Writing and Social Studies.
Students can earn vouchers for individual exam sections one at time or all on the same day. Students will have 2 chances for each practice test they take, and CNM will cover the cost of the practice tests. After passing a practice test, students can get their exam vouchers by bringing their HSE Voucher Scholarship paperwork (it will be given to you on your first practice test attempt) to a CNM Assessment office and ask the staff for your earned exam vouchers.
Students can then redeem their vouchers at either the GED Testing Service website or the HiSET Exam website please make sure students schedule only 1 section at a time for the vouchers to be accepted.
Cost and Retests
The New Mexico Higher Education Department is offering free GED and HiSET vouchers to those that qualify. See their Free HSE Testing Vouchers page for more information.
GED Exam:
The GED exam costs $26 per subject plus a $10 test center fee for a total of $36 per subject x 4 subjects for a grand total of $144. The price includes one retest per subject.
After taking a test subject 2 times, you must wait 60 days before retesting.
HiSET Exam:
The HiSET exam costs $15 per subject plus an $8 test center fee, for a total of $23 per subject x 5 subjects for a grand total of $115. Two free retakes per subject are included in the cost, with only three tries per subject in a 1-year period.
Registration and Scheduling
GED Exam:
- Create your MyGED account on the GED website.
- You will have access to information about test availability, preparation, scheduling, scoring, and college and career opportunities.
- We recommend NOT scheduling all four tests in one day.
- You can also register for the exam by calling (877) EXAM-GED or (877) 392-6433.
- A credit or debit card is required for scheduling.
HiSET Exam:
- Create your My HiSET account on the HiSET website.
- You will have access to information about test availability, preparation, scheduling, scoring, and college and career opportunities.
- You can also register for the exam by calling (855) My HiSET or (855) 694-4738.
- A credit or debit card, eCheck, or PayPal account is required for scheduling. Alternative cash options can be found on ETS' HiSET page.
Remote testing options are available through GED and HiSET
Cancelations and Rescheduling
Appointments can be canceled and rescheduled on the GED homepage or by calling (877) EXAM-GED. Appointments can be canceled or rescheduled on the HiSET homepage or by calling (855) My HiSET.
Testing Information for 16 and 17-Year-Olds
If you are 16 or 17 years old, you will be prompted to complete and submit an Underage Permission Form in order to complete your online registration.
Fax, e-mail, or drop off the completed form to one of the CNM Assessment Centers after you've completed your online registration process up to that point.
If you ever attended a New Mexico public school, you will need your 9-digit NM ID number:
APS students may contact (505) 855-9042; Rio Rancho students may contact (505) 896-0667; for other school districts, contact your superintendent's office.
Home-schooled students will also require signatures from the parents and the home school operator, as well as the Home School Confirmation number.
Special Accommodations
GED Exam:
- Information about requesting special accommodations for GED testing is available at GED Testing Services website.
- If you require special accommodations it is recommended that you meet with a counselor at CNM's Accessibility Services (505) 224-3259.
HiSET Exam:
- Information about requesting special accommodations for HiSET testing is available at the HiSET website.
- If you require special accommodations it is recommended that you meet with a counselor at CNM's Accessibility Services (505) 224-3259.
Test Results and Transcripts
GED Exam:
- A minimum passing score of 145 (on a scale of 100-200) must be achieved on each of the four tests in order to pass the GED exam.
- Official scores will be available online at your MyGED account. Order your Official High School Equivalency (HSE) Transcript and Diploma from the Diploma Sender website.
HiSET Exam:
- A minimum score of 8 (on a scale of 1-20) must be achieved on each subtest of the HiSET exam, plus a combined score of 45 or higher on all five tests, and a minimum score of 2 on the essay portion of the Writing test. All three criteria must be met to pass the HiSET exam.
- Official test scores are available at your My HiSET home page. Order your Official High School Equivalency (HSE) Transcript and Diploma from the Diploma Sender website.
Test Preparation
GED Exam:
CNM's Adult Basic Education Program offers High School Equivalency (HSE) Exam Preparation courses in both English and Spanish. The Official GED practice exam, the "GED Ready," and other test preparation materials are available in the "Study" section of your MyGED dashboard.
HiSET Exam:
CNM's Adult Basic Education Program offers High School Equivalency (HSE) Exam Preparation courses in both English and Spanish. Test prep materials including free practice tests and video tutorials are available at the HiSET website.
What to Bring on Test Day
IDs
GED Exam:
- A valid driver's license, passport, or another form of government-issued identification that shows your name, address, date of birth, signature, and photograph are acceptable forms of identification.
- Expired or photocopied identification will not be accepted. Your name on the ID must match the name you registered with the GED Testing Service exactly.
HiSET Exam:
- A valid driver's license, passport, military ID, or another form of government-issued identification that shows your name, address, date of birth, signature, and photograph are acceptable forms of identification.
- Expired or photocopied identification will not be accepted. Your name on the ID must match the name you registered with at the HiSET website exactly.
Calculators
Both the GED and HiSET exams have built-in electronic calculators. For the HiSET we will also provide a basic calculator supplied by HiSET. For the GED, students are allowed to bring in and use the TI-30XS Multiview only (see picture below).