The Missouri high school equivalency exam, the HiSET, was made free for first time test-takers at the beginning of July.
The test, which can be taken at Three Rivers College or Poplar Bluff High School, serves as a substitute for a high school diploma and is recognized across the country.
In 2018, Missouri lawmakers passed House Bill 1606, which included a provision that waived the testing fee for first-time takers. This past legislative session, lawmakers funded that provision, making the test free for these students beginning July 1, 2019. House Bill sponsor Rep. Elaine Gannon, R-DeSoto, said in 2018 that the HiSET costs $95 to take, which can be an obstacle for people coming from backgrounds of poverty.
The cost she sited is for all five sections of the exam — math, science, social studies, reading and writing. Students don’t have to take all five sections at the same time. Students can take the test up to three times in a calendar year.
In order to take the test, students must be at least 16 years old and have a valid Missouri ID os U.S. passport with a Missouri residence listed. Missouri does not require any test prep or practice test in order to take the exam.
So far this year, TRC has tested approximately 75 people, according to Communications Coordinator Carrie Franklin
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education selected the HiSET test to replace the GED starting in January 2014.
According to DESE, funding is limited and priority is being given to “public” test-takers (non-institutional and non-option test-takers) on a first-come-first-served basis. Any additional charges incurred are paid by the test-taker. If a first-time test taker has paid out-of-pocket for the test on or since July 1, they can look into eligibility for a refund by contacting HiSET Customer Service at 855-694-4738.
Testing at TRC is on the first Saturday of the month — unless it’s a holiday or the college is on break when it would be the following week. People can call Testing Services if they have questions at 573-840-9667.