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100+ Free HiSET Science Practice Questions

Pass your HiSET High School Equivalency Test — Science Subtest exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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A researcher compares the DNA sequences of four species to determine their evolutionary relationships. The table shows the percentage of DNA that each species shares with Species A: | Comparison | Percent DNA shared with Species A | |------------|-----------------------------------| | Species B | 98% | | Species C | 85% | | Species D | 60% | | Species E | 40% | Which species is most closely related to Species A?

A
B
C
D
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Key Facts: HiSET Science Exam

60 questions

HiSET Science subtest question count

ETS HiSET (hiset.org)

80 minutes

Time allowed for HiSET Science subtest

ETS HiSET (hiset.org)

8 out of 20

Minimum passing score on HiSET Science

ETS HiSET (hiset.org)

~49%

Life Science share of HiSET Science questions

ETS HiSET content specifications

~28%

Physical Science share of HiSET Science questions

ETS HiSET content specifications

~23%

Earth and Space Science share of HiSET Science questions

ETS HiSET content specifications

The HiSET Science exam is a 60-question, 80-minute multiple-choice test administered by ETS as part of the five-subtest HiSET battery for high school equivalency certification. It tests knowledge across three domains: Life Science (about 29 questions, 49%), Physical Science (about 17 questions, 28%), and Earth and Space Science (about 14 questions, 23%). A passing score is 8 out of a possible 20 on the scaled scoring range. Most questions are stimulus-based, requiring test-takers to interpret graphs, data tables, diagrams, or experimental descriptions — not just recall facts. (Source: ETS HiSET, hiset.org)

Sample HiSET Science Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your HiSET Science exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A student examines a diagram showing a cell with a nucleus, mitochondria, and a cell wall. Which type of cell is most likely being shown? Use the following information: The diagram labels a large central vacuole and chloroplasts in addition to a nucleus and cell wall.
A.Animal cell
B.Plant cell
C.Bacterial cell
D.Fungal cell
Explanation: Plant cells are characterized by a cell wall, chloroplasts (for photosynthesis), and a large central vacuole. Animal cells lack cell walls and chloroplasts. Bacterial cells are prokaryotic (no nucleus). Fungal cells have cell walls but no chloroplasts.
2The following table shows the results of a controlled experiment on plant growth: | Group | Light | Water | Height after 4 weeks | |-------|-------|-------|---------------------| | A | Full sun | Normal | 28 cm | | B | No light | Normal | 6 cm | | C | Full sun | No water | 3 cm | | D | No light | No water | 2 cm | Which conclusion is best supported by these data?
A.Water alone is sufficient for plant growth.
B.Both light and water are needed for maximum plant growth.
C.Plants can survive without either light or water.
D.Light has no effect on plant growth.
Explanation: Group A (full sun + normal water) grew the most at 28 cm, while groups with either factor missing grew far less. This shows that both light and water together produce the best growth outcomes, supporting the conclusion that both are necessary for maximum plant growth.
3Which process converts glucose and oxygen into carbon dioxide, water, and energy in living cells?
A.Photosynthesis
B.Fermentation
C.Cellular respiration
D.Digestion
Explanation: Cellular respiration is the process by which cells break down glucose using oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, and ATP (energy). The equation is: C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP. Photosynthesis is the reverse process.
4A food web shows: grass → rabbit → fox → eagle. If a disease kills most of the rabbit population, which outcome is most likely?
A.The grass population will decrease.
B.The fox population will increase.
C.The eagle population will decrease.
D.The eagle population will increase.
Explanation: Rabbits are the primary food source for foxes, which in turn are eaten by eagles. If rabbits decline, foxes will have less food and their numbers will decrease. With fewer foxes, eagles also lose a food source and their population will likely decrease.
5DNA is made of repeating units called nucleotides. Each nucleotide contains a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. Which base always pairs with adenine (A) in a DNA double helix?
A.Guanine (G)
B.Cytosine (C)
C.Uracil (U)
D.Thymine (T)
Explanation: In DNA, adenine (A) always pairs with thymine (T), and guanine (G) always pairs with cytosine (C). These are called complementary base pairs. Uracil (U) is found in RNA, where it replaces thymine and pairs with adenine.
6A scientist studies two populations of birds on separate islands. Over thousands of years, the populations develop different beak shapes suited to different food sources. This process, where one species evolves into two or more species due to geographic isolation, is called:
A.Natural selection
B.Allopatric speciation
C.Genetic drift
D.Convergent evolution
Explanation: Allopatric speciation occurs when populations are geographically isolated, preventing gene flow, so they evolve independently and eventually become distinct species. This is exactly what happened with Darwin's finches on the Galapagos Islands.
7Look at the following pedigree chart: - Generation I: An unaffected father and unaffected mother have children. - Generation II: Two sons are affected; one daughter is unaffected. If the trait is autosomal recessive, what must be true about both parents in Generation I?
A.Both parents are homozygous dominant (AA).
B.Both parents are carriers (Aa).
C.The father is affected and the mother is a carrier.
D.The mother is homozygous recessive (aa).
Explanation: For an autosomal recessive trait to appear in offspring, both parents must carry at least one recessive allele. Since both parents are unaffected but have affected children, they must both be carriers (Aa). Two carriers have a 25% chance of producing an affected (aa) child.
8Which human body system is primarily responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the body's cells?
A.Digestive system
B.Nervous system
C.Circulatory system
D.Endocrine system
Explanation: The circulatory system, including the heart, blood vessels, and blood, transports oxygen from the lungs to all body cells and carries carbon dioxide back to the lungs for exhalation. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin that binds to oxygen.
9The graph below shows the population of deer and wolves in a forest over 20 years. [Graph description: Wolf populations peak about 2 years after deer populations peak; when wolves are high, deer decline; when deer are low, wolves decline.] What type of relationship do wolves and deer most likely have?
A.Mutualism
B.Commensalism
C.Predator-prey
D.Parasitism
Explanation: The cyclical pattern where wolf and deer populations rise and fall in sequence is the classic signature of a predator-prey relationship. Wolves (predators) eat deer (prey), so deer increases cause wolf increases, which then drive deer down, which in turn cause wolf populations to fall.
10During mitosis, a parent cell with 46 chromosomes divides. How many chromosomes will each daughter cell contain?
A.23 chromosomes
B.46 chromosomes
C.92 chromosomes
D.12 chromosomes
Explanation: Mitosis is cell division for growth and repair that produces two genetically identical daughter cells, each with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell. A human parent cell with 46 chromosomes produces two daughter cells each with 46 chromosomes.

About the HiSET Science Exam

The HiSET Science subtest is one of five subtests required for high school equivalency (HSE) certification. Administered by ETS, it consists of 60 multiple-choice questions completed in 80 minutes. The test covers Life Science (~49%), Physical Science (~28%), and Earth and Space Science (~23%), emphasizing scientific reasoning skills such as interpreting data from charts and graphs, designing investigations, and drawing conclusions from experimental results.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

80 minutes

Passing Score

8 out of 20 (scaled score)

Exam Fee

Varies by state; typically $10–$20 per subtest (Educational Testing Service (ETS))

HiSET Science Exam Content Outline

~49%

Life Science

Cell structure and function, genetics and DNA, evolution, ecology and food webs, body systems, photosynthesis and cellular respiration, classification, population biology, and biodiversity.

~28%

Physical Science

Atomic structure and periodic table, chemical reactions and balancing equations, states of matter and phase changes, Newton's laws of motion, energy types and conservation, electricity, waves, acids/bases, and nuclear reactions.

~23%

Earth and Space Science

Earth's internal structure and layers, plate tectonics and geological processes, rock cycle, earthquakes, water cycle and groundwater, weather systems, climate and climate change, solar system astronomy, and natural resources.

How to Pass the HiSET Science Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 8 out of 20 (scaled score)
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: 80 minutes
  • Exam fee: Varies by state; typically $10–$20 per subtest

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

HiSET Science Study Tips from Top Performers

1Practice interpreting graphs, data tables, and diagrams — the majority of HiSET Science questions are stimulus-based and require reading and reasoning from visual information.
2Focus most study time on Life Science (about half the exam), making sure you understand cell biology, genetics, ecology, evolution, and human body systems.
3Use official ETS practice tests (FPT7 and FPT8) to get familiar with exact question style and difficulty — the official free practice tests are your best resource.
4Study the 10% energy rule in food chains, Punnett squares for genetics, and the rock cycle — these high-value topics appear frequently.
5Do not just memorize definitions — practice explaining WHY answers are correct and why wrong answers are incorrect. HiSET rewards understanding over rote memorization.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the HiSET Science subtest?

The HiSET Science subtest has 60 multiple-choice questions. You have 80 minutes to complete them, which works out to about 1 minute 20 seconds per question.

What score do I need to pass the HiSET Science test?

To pass the HiSET Science subtest, you need a scaled score of at least 8 out of a possible 20. The overall HiSET battery requires a total scaled score of at least 45 across all five subtests and no individual subtest score below 8.

What topics are covered on the HiSET Science test?

The HiSET Science test covers three content areas: Life Science (approximately 49% of the exam, including cell biology, genetics, ecology, and body systems), Physical Science (approximately 28%, including chemistry, physics, and atomic structure), and Earth and Space Science (approximately 23%, including geology, weather, climate, and astronomy).

What kinds of questions appear on the HiSET Science test?

Most HiSET Science questions are stimulus-based — they require you to read and interpret a chart, graph, data table, diagram, or passage describing an experiment, then answer a question. The test emphasizes scientific reasoning skills (applying knowledge, interpreting data, drawing conclusions) over memorized facts.

How does the HiSET Science compare to the GED Science test?

Both tests cover similar science content and emphasize data interpretation and scientific reasoning. The HiSET Science has 60 questions in 80 minutes (all multiple-choice), while the GED Science has approximately 40 items in 90 minutes and includes both multiple-choice and technology-enhanced question types. Both require a passing score and are accepted as evidence of high school equivalency.

Is the HiSET Science test hard?

The test is considered moderately difficult. It requires both science content knowledge and the ability to read and interpret data — you cannot pass just by memorizing facts. Most test-takers who study with practice tests and review the three content areas (life, physical, and earth science) are well-prepared. The passing score of 8 out of 20 means roughly 50-60% of questions answered correctly, depending on the scale conversion.