There are five subjects on the HiSET test. Each subject is designed to measure high school-level knowledge and skills, and all five must be passed to earn your high school equivalency credential. The how many subjects are on the HiSET test answer is consistent across all U.S. states and territories that offer the exam.
The five subjects are:
- Language Arts – Reading
- Language Arts – Writing (includes an essay)
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
You do not need to take all five at once. You can schedule each subject separately, on different days, and in any order—making it easier to focus and prepare.
Why Five Subjects Matter
Each of the how many subjects are on the HiSET test aligns with core academic areas taught in U.S. high schools. Together, they ensure you have the reading, writing, math, science, and civic knowledge needed for college, career, or military service.
To pass, you must:
- Score at least 8 out of 20 on each subject
- Earn a combined total of 45 or higher across all five
- Score at least 2 out of 6 on the Writing essay
Your passing scores are valid forever—even if you retake other sections.
Preparing for All Five
Use official HiSET practice tests from hiset.ets.org to build confidence. Focus on your weakest area first—many find Math or the essay most challenging.
The how many subjects are on the HiSET test may seem like a lot—but with a smart plan, each one is manageable.
You don’t need to master everything at once. Just pass one, then move to the next.
Your credential is built one subject at a time. Stay focused. Stay consistent. You’ve got this.