5 Helpful Tips For Earning Your High School Equivalency

Earning your high school equivalency produces a sense of pride and accomplishment. It also opens doors to new and exciting opportunities for personal and professional growth. But this road to success may seem confusing especially since you may receive offers and advice that could steer you in the wrong direction. We want to help. Follow these helpful tips to make sure you’re taking the right steps toward earning your GED or HSED.

1. Understand the difference between the GED and HSED.
 
The GED/HSED are the two types of high school equivalency credentials offered by the State of Wisconsin that measures skills expected of high school graduates. The GED is considered a General Education Development Certificate, while the HSED is a High School Equivalency Diploma.
 
Both the GED and HSED require passing (5) computer-based exams in the areas of: Reasoning Through Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Mathematics, Civics.The HSED also requires Health, plus Career Planning and Employability Skills.

They are also both available in a one-on-one lab setting or online.

2. Know the requirements for earning a GED or HSED in Wisconsin.

All interested candidates MUST:

Be at least 18 years old
Be a Wisconsin resident or have lived in WI for at least 10 days, or be a migrant worker, or the child of a migrant worker
Not be currently enrolled in a high school, or have a high school diploma

3. Pay for the cost of the exam.

Although Nicolet offers FREE instruction for the GED/HSED, the exams themselves are not free. Each content area exam is $33.75, with the exception of Civics, which is $10. Health (if applicable) and Career Planning/Employability are free. Please note a “retest” fee of $10 may be applied if a passing score is not obtained the first time taken. Financial assistance may be available due to financial hardship.

4. Attend the mandatory orientation.

The State of Wisconsin requires all GED/HSED applicants attend a mandatory orientation. Here you will learn everything you ever wanted to know about registering, preparation and testing practices, scheduling, graduation, and more.

5. Contact Academic Success at Nicolet College to get started.

Academic Success offers FREE assistance for earning your GED/HSED in a flexible learning format. They’re here to support your academic journey and help turn your educational goals into a reality. Contact them today:

Academic Success
Lakeside Center - Second Floor
715.365.4455
academicsuccess@nicoletcollege.edu