High School Equivalency / GED®

Finish What You Started

Earn your Iowa High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) — formerly known as the GED® — through Iowa Valley Business and Community Solutions. If you are 17 or older and no longer enrolled in high school, you can take adult basic education classes to prepare for the HiSET exam and earn your diploma on your schedule.

Our HSED classes are structured to help adults at all levels complete their HSED efficiently. Our instructors are caring, experienced, and ready to help you reach your goal.

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Find Upcoming HSED Classes Near You

How to Get Started

Note: All HSED registration, including for online classes, must be completed in person at one of our locations.

Step 1: Contact Us

Call 641-754-1348 or email ivetc@iavalley.edu to get started. You can also walk in during registration hours at any of our locations.

Step 2: Confirm Eligibility

You must be 17 or older and no longer enrolled in high school. You'll need to provide:

• A valid government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport).
• A completed Age Waiver Form from your last high school, confirming you are no longer enrolled.
• If you are under 18, a consent form signed by a parent or guardian is required.

Step 3: Pay for the Class

Each eight-week term costs $20. We can accept cash, check, or credit/debit card.

Step 4: Take the Assessment

We'll evaluate your current skill levels in reading and math. These aren't tests you pass or fail — they help us build a study plan around where you are right now. These assessments can take two hours in total to complete.

Step 5: Attend Classes

Classes run year-round, with a minimal fee plus books if applicable. Our instructors work with you at your pace. Once you reach the required skill levels, you can begin taking practice tests to see if you're ready for the official HiSET exam.

Step 6: Take the HiSET Exam

The HiSET is a series of five computer-based tests covering writing, math, science, social studies, and reading. Tests are taken one at a time and cost $18 per test. Iowa Valley requires students to take and pass the math section first. Students can choose the order of their remaining tests, but the writing test cannot be last. When you pass all five, you earn your Iowa High School Equivalency Diploma.

Note: Before you can take your last HiSET test, you will have to take the US Civics tests and pass with a minimum of 60 percent.