hiset math practice test

A widely recognized high school equivalency exam, similar to the GED, designed for individuals who didn’t complete high school but want to earn a diploma-equivalent credential.

Isabel earns $15.80 per hour for the first 8 hours she works each day. She earns 1.5 times her hourly rate for all time after the first 8 hours. How much does Isabel earn on a day when she works 8.5 hours?
  • A. 126.4
  • B. 138.25
  • C. 189.6
  • D. 201.45
  • E. 237
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To determine Isabel's earnings for an 8.5-hour workday, first calculate her earnings for the first 8 hours at $15.80 per hour, which totals $126.40 (8 hours × $15.80/hour). For the additional 0.5 hours, she earns 1.5 times her hourly rate, which is $23.70 (1.5 × $15.80). Therefore, for the extra half hour, she earns $11.85 (0.5 hours × $23.70/hour). Adding these amounts together gives $138.25 ($126.40 + $11.85). Option A ($126.40) only accounts for the first 8 hours. Option C ($189.60) incorrectly assumes full-time pay without considering the overtime rate. Option D ($201.45) miscalculates the overtime pay, while Option E ($237) overestimates by not applying the correct hourly rates.

Other Related Questions

Which of the following intervals most likely represents the average gas mileage, in miles per gallon, of 50% of the cars?
Question image
  • A. 20 to 32
  • B. 24 to 32
  • C. 29 to 32
  • D. 30 to 44
  • E. 32 to 44
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

Option B, 24 to 32, effectively captures the average gas mileage of 50% of cars, reflecting a range that balances both lower and higher mileage figures commonly found in the market. Option A (20 to 32) is too broad, including lower mileage cars that may not represent the average. Option C (29 to 32) narrows the range excessively, likely excluding many vehicles with average or below-average mileage. Option D (30 to 44) expands the upper limit too much, incorporating high-mileage vehicles that skew the average. Option E (32 to 44) focuses solely on high-mileage cars, which is not representative of the broader population.
The following table lists the percentages of the highest level of training of employees at a certain company: Of the 500 female employees included in the table, what is the total number whose highest level of training is Level B?
Question image
  • A. 100
  • B. 150
  • C. 200
  • D. 250
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To determine the number of female employees with Level B training, we analyze the provided percentages. If the table indicates that 30% of the 500 female employees have Level B training, we calculate 30% of 500, which equals 150. Option A (100) underestimates the proportion, while Option C (200) and Option D (250) overestimate it. Each of these options does not align with the percentage breakdown in the table. Therefore, the accurate calculation confirms that 150 female employees have achieved Level B training, aligning with the data provided.
Josh takes 6 hours to paint a room. Margaret can paint the same room in 4 hours. Assuming their individual rates do not change, how long will it take them to paint the room together?
  • A. 1.5 hours
  • B. 2.4 hours
  • C. 4.8 hours
  • D. 5 hours
  • E. 10 hours
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To determine how long it takes Josh and Margaret to paint the room together, we first calculate their individual rates. Josh paints at a rate of \( \frac{1}{6} \) of the room per hour, while Margaret paints at \( \frac{1}{4} \) of the room per hour. Combined, their rates are: \[ \frac{1}{6} + \frac{1}{4} = \frac{2}{12} + \frac{3}{12} = \frac{5}{12} \] This means together they paint \( \frac{5}{12} \) of the room per hour. To find the time taken to complete one room, we take the reciprocal of their combined rate: \[ \text{Time} = \frac{1}{\frac{5}{12}} = \frac{12}{5} = 2.4 \text{ hours} \] Option A (1.5 hours) is too short, as it implies a higher combined rate than possible. Option C (4.8 hours) suggests they are slower than working alone, which is incorrect. Option D (5 hours) is also longer than their combined effort should take, and Option E (10 hours) is excessively long, indicating a misunderstanding of their rates. Thus, 2.4 hours accurately reflects their collaborative efficiency.
A medium-sized grain of sand can be approximated as a cube with an edge length of 5×10⁻⁴ meters. Which expression best represents the number of medium-sized sand grains that could be lined up side by side to result in a total length of 1 meter?
  • A. 2×10³
  • B. 2×10⁴
  • C. 2×10⁵
  • D. 5×10³
  • E. 5×10⁴
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To determine how many medium-sized sand grains can be lined up to equal 1 meter, we first calculate the volume of one grain, approximated as a cube with an edge length of 5×10⁻⁴ meters. The length of one grain is 5×10⁻⁴ meters. To find the number of grains in 1 meter, divide 1 meter (1×10⁰) by the length of one grain: 1×10⁰ / 5×10⁻⁴ = 2×10³. Thus, option B (2×10³) accurately represents the number of grains. Options A (2×10³) and D (5×10³) are incorrect due to miscalculating the division. Option C (2×10⁻) and E (5×10⁵) misrepresent the scale entirely, either by underestimating or overestimating the number of grains.