School Equivalency Exams (for those wanting only an exam, or classes preparing for an exam)
high school equivalence
Berkeley Adult School offers free High School Equivalency (HSE) preparation classes. Monday – Friday 9:30 am – 2:10 pm or Tuesday and Thursday 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM. See counselor to enroll Adults can earn their High School Equivalency (HSE) certificate from the state of California by passing the HiSET or the GED exam. These exams are designed for people who did not graduate from high school but want a certificate that is equivalent to a high school diploma. Passing the exams shows that you have attained the academic knowledge and proficiency equivalent to those of a high school graduate. To learn more about each exam please visit ged.com and/or hiset.org.
The Exams are aligned to the College and Career Readiness (CCR) Standards for Adult Education.
The HSE diploma/certificate is accepted by employers and accredited colleges in all 50 of the United States.
HiSET TEST
BAS is an official test center for the HiSET Exam. You do not need to be a student at BAS to take the exam here.
AT BAS we offer computer & paper and pencil versions of the Hiset test.
HiSET Testing Fees: $150 for the full battery (additional fee information for single subjects tests & retakes available at BAS)
The HiSET exam includes five subject tests with the timing for each subset as follows:
- Language Arts – Reading is 65 minutes
- Language Arts – Writing is 120 minutes
- Mathematics is 90 minutes
- Science is 80 minutes
- Social Studies is 70 minutes
Currently, the HiSET Test is given in English & Spanish.
Modifications and special accommodations for learning or physically disabled students can be provided with advance arrangements with the Educational Testing Service (hiset.ets.org) and BAS
HiSET Sign Up
This HiSET registration process can be done in two easy steps:
- Go online to hiset.org. There you can create your account and get your HiSET ID number.
- Schedule your Exam – During BAS Office hours at 2020 Bonar Street, bring your Hiset ID number, your payment and proper Identification (a California driver’s license, DMV-issued ID, military ID, or a government-issued passport).
You must sign up for the test at BAS a least 48 hours before the testing date.
BAS offers the HiSET test generally the first Saturday of each month & the 2nd Wednesday of each month. More dates may be added, contact the HS Clerk, JoAnne Rivera for updates, 510-644-8963.
At hiset.org you can also find resources for studying, scoring, sample test questions and more.
HiSET Test Dates
Exam Dates: Spring semester 2026
February
Saturday 2/7/26 – 8:00 am Start
Wednesday 2/11/26 – 3:00 pm Start
March
Saturday 3/7/26 – 8:00 AM Start
Wednesday 3/11/26 – 3:00 pm Start
April
Saturday 4/11/26 – 8:00 AM Start
Wednesday 4/15/26 – 3:00 pm Start
May
Wednesday 5/6/26 – 3:00 pm Start
- Wednesday Testing in room 118 at 2020 Bonar Street
- Saturday Testing in room B at 1939 Ward Street -entrance on Milvia
*Arrive at least 15 minutes earl
*You MUST schedule and pay for your exam(s) in the high school office at least 48 hours in advance
Information for the GED test – BAS is not an official GED testing center GED Test The GED test is a computer based test.
The GED® test covers 4 subjects. You can take all 4 together or one at a time at an official GED® test center when. If you need a testing accommodation, you can request prior to scheduling your test at ged.com.
Reasoning through Language Arts is 150 minutes (including a 10-minute break)
- Mathematical Reasoning is 115 minutes
- Science is 75 minutes
- Social Studies is 90 minutes
Currently, GED tests can be taken in English & Spanish.
GED Sign Up
Students register online for the GED test using the MyGED™ Portal at https://ged.com.
Students are required to sign up for a MyGED™ account at https://ged.com/ and then they are able to access the dashboard full of information about studying, test day, scheduling, scoring, and college and career opportunities.
GED Testing Fees
Go to ged.com to schedule and pay for your exams, $41/subject.
