From 1942 to 2013 the GED® Test had been the only test used to measure if a person had the same level of skills as someone who graduated from high school.  Upon passing the GED® Test the test taker was awarded a High School Equivalency Certificate.  The certificate, issued by the California State Department of Education, became incorrectly known as a GED® certificate.  

 

In 2010 Peason Vue, a private, for-profit company, bought the GED® trademark.  Pearson Vue decided to computerize the test and stopped offering a paper/pencil version.    

 

In 2013 the California State Department of Education, along with many other states, decided to find alternative tests so test takers could earn a High School Equivalency Certificate.

 

In March of 2014, the CA State Department of Education decided to add 1 other test, so test takers could decide which test was best for them.  The GED® and the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET®) lead to the same certificate.  The HiSET® is available on computer AND in the paper/pencil format.  

 

 

The HiSET® is offered by the Los Angeles Unified School District.  

 

 

For more information about the two High School Equivalency Tests click on the link below to see the letter from the US Department of Education.