{"id":2151,"date":"2025-11-10T13:43:24","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T13:43:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theentrypass.com\/resources\/?post_type=faqs&p=2151"},"modified":"2025-11-10T13:43:25","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T13:43:25","slug":"what-percent-to-pass-hiset","status":"publish","type":"faqs","link":"https:\/\/theentrypass.com\/resources\/faq\/what-percent-to-pass-hiset\/","title":{"rendered":"What Percent to Pass HiSET?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the US<\/strong>, you need about 40\u201345% correct<\/strong> to pass the HiSET<\/strong> (High School Equivalency Test)\u2014but it\u2019s not a simple percentage<\/strong>. This US-based guide<\/strong> explains what percent to pass HiSET<\/strong>, how scoring works, and exactly what you need on each subtest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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HiSET Passing Score: Not a Percent, a Scaled Score<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The HiSET does NOT use percent correct<\/strong> like a school test. Each of the 5 subtests<\/strong> is scored on a 1\u201320 scale<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Requirement<\/th>US Standard<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Pass per subtest<\/strong><\/td>8 out of 20<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Essay (Writing only)<\/strong><\/td>2 out of 6<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Total minimum<\/strong><\/td>45 out of 100<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

No direct %<\/strong>, but 8\/20 = ~40% of possible points<\/strong><\/a>, and most test-takers answer ~45\u201350% of questions correctly<\/strong> to hit that mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Percent of Questions Must You Get Right?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Subtest<\/th>Questions<\/th>~% Correct to Pass (8\/20)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Reading<\/td>40\u201350<\/td>45\u201350%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Writing (MC only)<\/td>50<\/td>45%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Math<\/td>50\u201355<\/td>40\u201345%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Science<\/td>50\u201360<\/td>45\u201350%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Social Studies<\/td>50<\/td>45%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bottom line<\/strong>: Answer just under half the questions correctly<\/strong> \u2192 you pass. Essay<\/strong>: Write a clear 5-paragraph response \u2192 2\/6 is easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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US HiSET Score Levels Explained<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Level<\/th>Score per Subtest<\/th>Meaning<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Below Passing<\/strong><\/td>1\u20137<\/td>Retake<\/td><\/tr>
Passing<\/strong><\/td>8\u201314<\/strong><\/td>High school equivalency<\/td><\/tr>
College Ready<\/strong><\/td>15\u201320<\/strong><\/td>No remedial classes<\/td><\/tr>
College Ready + Credit<\/strong><\/td>15\u201320 + 4+\/6 essay<\/strong><\/td>Possible college credit<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

80% of US test-takers pass on first try<\/strong> (ETS, 2023).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How HiSET Converts Raw % to Scaled Score<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Raw score<\/strong> \u2192 number correct<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Equating<\/strong> \u2192 adjusts for test version difficulty<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Scaled score<\/strong> \u2192 1\u201320<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n