MALDEN – The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) announced on Thursday that the state now covers the cost of the initial General Education Diploma (GED) test and the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET), and two retakes of either test, for Massachusetts residents.
Free HiSET testing began this week and free GED testing began in September.
The fees for the tests can be as much as $143 per test. Nearly 9,000 Massachusetts residents took the high school equivalency tests in 2021, according to DESE.
“By removing testing fees, we are making an investment in Massachusetts residents and their futures,” said Governor Maura Healey. “No one should be held back from earning their equivalency credential due to costs. This investment will encourage more Massachusetts adult learners to continue their education, earn their credential, and begin higher education or enter the workforce.”
Funding for this initiative will come from the adult education line item in the budget, which is expected to fund the cost of equivalency tests permanently. The Department estimates it will cost the state approximately $800,000 in the first year.
