{"id":5899,"date":"2026-04-03T19:55:05","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T19:55:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prepsaret.com\/hiset\/?p=5899"},"modified":"2026-04-03T19:55:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T19:55:05","slug":"new-jersey-hiset-alternative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prepsaret.com\/hiset\/new-jersey-hiset-alternative","title":{"rendered":"New Jersey HiSET Alternative: GED Options, Costs & Requirements"},"content":{"rendered":"

New Jersey ended the HiSET on May 31, 2023. New Jersey no longer offers the HiSET exam. The NJDOE officially confirmed: ‘New Jersey no longer offers the TASC and HiSET equivalency assessments.’ The GED is now the only approved exam-based high school equivalency test in New Jersey. The TASC ended even earlier \u2014 December 31, 2021.<\/span><\/p>\n

New Jersey was one of the states that offered multiple high school equivalency assessment options after 2014. From 2014 through May 31, 2023, New Jersey offered three tests: the GED, the HiSET, and the TASC (Test Assessing Secondary Completion).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Each could lead to a New Jersey State Issued High School Diploma. The TASC ended nationally on December 31, 2021. The HiSET was discontinued in New Jersey effective May 31, 2023. From June 1, 2023, onwards, the GED is the only active exam-based pathway.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Morris County Vocational School District, for example, posted the following on its testing center website: ‘MCVSD and all NJ testing centers will no longer offer the Computer-Based HiSET High School Equivalency Test effective 6\/1\/2023.’ This is representative of all New Jersey test centers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Timeline of NJ High School Equivalency Assessments<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Assessment<\/b><\/td>\nIn New Jersey<\/b><\/td>\nStatus<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
GED<\/b><\/td>\n2014 \u2013 present<\/span><\/td>\nACTIVE \u2014 the only current NJ exam-based pathway<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
HiSET<\/b><\/td>\n2014 \u2013 May 31, 2023<\/span><\/td>\nENDED \u2014 no longer offered or administered in NJ<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
TASC<\/b><\/td>\n2014 \u2013 December 31, 2021<\/span><\/td>\nENDED \u2014 no longer offered nationally<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pre-2014 GED (2002 series)<\/b><\/td>\nUntil December 31, 2013<\/span><\/td>\nEXPIRED \u2014 scores cannot be combined with current tests<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

What This Means for Former HiSET Test-Takers<\/b><\/h2>\n

If you previously took the HiSET in New Jersey and passed some \u2014 but not all \u2014 subtests, you are not starting over. New Jersey has a unique and important score combination policy that allows former HiSET test-takers to complete their remaining subjects via the GED. This is covered in detail in Section 4 of this guide.<\/span><\/p>\n

Important note: HiSET scores from after May 31, 2023, cannot be combined with current GED or TASC scores. This rule applies only to HiSET tests taken before May 31, 2023. Any fees already paid for HiSET or TASC assessments are not refundable \u2014 contact the NJ DOE Adult Education Office at adulted@doe.nj.gov or your test center to discuss your fee options.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is the New Jersey GED?<\/b><\/h2>\n

The GED is approved by both the United States Department of Education and the New Jersey State Board of Education. It is aligned to federal Career and College Readiness Standards and designed to measure skills associated with four years of high school instruction.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The credential earned is called the New Jersey State Issued High School Diploma, issued by the NJ Department of Education.<\/span><\/p>\n

New Jersey’s GED is administered by the NJ DOE Adult Education Office and tested at NJ DOE-approved testing centers across all 21 counties. Unlike the pre-2014 GED (which was paper-based), all current GED tests are computer-based. A paper test is only available through special accommodations for documented disabilities.<\/span><\/p>\n

New Jersey GED At-a-Glance<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Fact<\/b><\/td>\nDetail<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Official credential name<\/b><\/td>\nNew Jersey State Issued High School Diploma<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Administered by<\/b><\/td>\nNJ Department of Education, Adult Education Office<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NJ DOE Adult Education contact<\/b><\/td>\nadulted@doe.nj.gov | (609) 376-3500 (main DOE) | (609) 376-3883 (test center inquiries) | PO Box 500, Trenton, NJ 08625-0500<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Number of subjects<\/b><\/td>\n4<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total test time<\/b><\/td>\nApproximately 7.5 hours (can be split across sessions)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Passing score per subject<\/b><\/td>\n145 out of 200 per subject<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Available languages<\/b><\/td>\nEnglish and Spanish<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Test format<\/b><\/td>\nComputer-based only; paper only by special accommodation from test vendor<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Can test be taken at home?<\/b><\/td>\nYES \u2014 Online Proctored (OP) exam available; see Section 7. Under-18 testers: consent form must be taken to test center first.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cost<\/b><\/td>\n$144 total ($36 per subject); $10 test center fee for retakes (GED Testing Service waives $26 fee); online retake $36<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Residency required?<\/b><\/td>\nYES \u2014 must be a New Jersey resident; valid NJ driver’s license or permit fulfills both ID and residency requirements<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Duplicate diploma issued?<\/b><\/td>\nNO \u2014 New Jersey does NOT mail duplicate diplomas; use the access code to print the official transcript\/diploma verification online<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Score combination (former HiSET\/TASC)<\/b><\/td>\nYES \u2014 HiSET scores (pre-May 31, 2023) and TASC scores can be combined with GED scores to earn the diploma<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Three diploma pathways<\/b><\/td>\nGED, Thirty College Credit Program (TCCP), Adult High School Program (AHSP)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

What States Still Offer HiSET?<\/b><\/h2>\n

New Jersey borders New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Understanding which nearby states offer HiSET helps residents who commute or relocate. However, taking the HiSET in another state would earn that state’s credential \u2014 not a New Jersey State Issued High School Diploma.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
State<\/b><\/td>\nAvailable Exam(s) \u2014 2026<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New Jersey<\/b><\/td>\nGED only \u2014 HiSET ended May 31, 2023; TASC ended December 31, 2021<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pennsylvania (neighboring)<\/span><\/td>\nBoth GED and HiSET are available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New York (neighboring)<\/span><\/td>\nGED only \u2014 HiSET not currently available in NY<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Delaware (neighboring)<\/span><\/td>\nGED only \u2014 HiSET not available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Connecticut<\/span><\/td>\nGED only \u2014 HiSET not available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Massachusetts<\/span><\/td>\nHiSET is the primary exam; GED is not offered for state HSE<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hawaii<\/span><\/td>\nBoth GED and HiSET are available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
California<\/span><\/td>\nBoth GED and HiSET are available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Key point for former NJ HiSET test-takers: taking the HiSET in Pennsylvania would earn a Pennsylvania credential \u2014 not a NJ diploma. If you have already passed some HiSET subjects in New Jersey before May 31, 2023, the right path is to complete the remaining subjects via the GED in New Jersey and combine your scores for an NJ diploma. See Section 4 for the full process.<\/span><\/p>\n

HiSET or TASC in NJ: How to Complete Your Diploma<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Critical: Score Combination Rules for Former HiSET and TASC Test-Takers<\/b><\/p>\n

New Jersey allows combining passing scores from multiple exams (GED, HiSET, TASC) to earn the NJ State Issued High School Diploma \u2014 BUT only if your scores meet specific conditions. Read the rules carefully before registering.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Rules for Combining HiSET and GED Scores<\/b><\/h3>\n