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Adult Education FAQ

You can earn the New Mexico High School Equivalency Certificate by taking the General Education Development Test (GED®) or the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET®)

GED Tests, Times, & Subjects

Math

90 minutes-55 questions

  • 45% Algebra
  • 19% Numbers Operations
  • 18% Geometry & Measurement
  • 18% Data & Probability

Language Arts

150 minutes - 46 questions

  • 45% Reading
  • 35% Writing
  • 20% Grammar

Science

80 minutes - 60 questions

  • 40% Life
  • 40% Physical
  • 20% Earth & Space

Social Studies

70 minutes - 48 questions

  • 50% Civics & Government
  • 20% U.S. History
  • 15% Economics
  • 15% Geography

HISET TEST INFO

Math

90 minutes-55 questions

  • 45% algebra
  • 19% numbers + operations
  • 18% geometry + measurement
  • 18% probability + statistics

Writing

120 minutes - 60 questions - 1 essay

  • 43% language facility
  • 35% writing conventions
  • 22% organization of ideas

Reading

65 minutes - 50 questions

  • 60% information texts
  • 40% literary texts

Science

80 minutes - 60 questions

  • 49% life science
  • 28% physical science
  • 23% earth science

Social Studies

70 minutes - 60 questions

  • 35% history
  • 35% civics + government
  • 20% economics
  • 10% geography
To be eligible for High School Equivalency (HSE) testing in New Mexio, Individuals must meet the following criteria:
  • Not have graduated from an accredited high school or received a high school equivalency certificate or diploma.
  • Not be currently enrolled in a regular high school program.
  • Be at least 16 years old.
Applicants who are under the age of 18 must submit a completed Underage Permission Form ( can be found on rightside of the webpage under Forms), which includes parental consent and approval form their local school district.
Note: New Mexico residency is not required to take the GED® or HiSET test®.
Individuals ages 16-17 may pick up permission forms from the Adult Education Office in Martinez Hall, 2nd floor, Room 120. Office hours are 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Thursday and 8:00 am to 5pm on Friday.  To Complete the Underage Permission Form
  • Call the Grants/Cibola School Administrative office to make an appointment and get the superintendent’s signature.
  • Return signed and completed Underage Permission Form to the AE Office.
  • A parent or legal guardian must accompany an underage student to enroll.
Test Site Requirements: All HSE candidates must present a form of identification.  Must be a government-issued photo ID. (example: a valid driver’s license, a state-issued ID which shows name, date of birth, and signature.)
New Mexico HSE Transcripts must be requested through www.diplomasender.com You will need to provide the following information:
  • Your email address
  • Date of Birth
  • Name tested under
  • State where tested
  • Identification number (usually Social Security Number)
  • Name and address of the recipient
  • Who and where the official transcript is to be sent. (Official Transcript usually means a formal, paper copy.)
Before having a transcript sent by Fax or e-mail. Check with the recipient to find out if this is a valid form for them.

Transcripts cost $23.00 each. Credit cards, debit cards, or money orders are accepted forms of payment.