Unofficial practice for the three subtests of the California Proficiency Program, which replaced the CHSPE: mathematics, reading and writing.
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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the California Department of Education or PSI Services, the owner of HiSET. Bank checked October 6, 2026.
A jacket priced at $80 is marked 15% off, and 8% sales tax is added to the sale price. What is the total?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: I. Numbers and Operations on Numbers (19% of questions), descriptor 6, multistep problems with percent
A machine makes 4 × 10³ bolts an hour. How many bolts does it make in 2.5 × 10² hours?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: I. Numbers and Operations on Numbers (19% of questions), descriptor 3, scientific notation
A recipe uses 3/4 cup of flour for 12 muffins. How much flour do 30 muffins need?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: I. Numbers and Operations on Numbers (19% of questions), descriptor 6, proportional relationships
Show all 55 questions (52 more)
Numbers and operations, continued
A scale shows weight to the nearest 0.1 kilogram. Which reading matches what that scale can measure?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: I. Numbers and Operations on Numbers (19% of questions), descriptor 5, level of accuracy
A truck travels 234 miles on 13 gallons of fuel. At that rate, how many gallons does a 414-mile trip take?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: I. Numbers and Operations on Numbers (19% of questions), descriptor 4, reasoning with units
The sum of 5 and √3 is which kind of number?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: I. Numbers and Operations on Numbers (19% of questions), descriptor 1, sums and products of rational and irrational numbers
What is (1.5 × 10⁶) × (4 × 10⁻⁹) in scientific notation?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: I. Numbers and Operations on Numbers (19% of questions), descriptor 3, scientific notation
What is 2³ × 2⁻⁵?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: I. Numbers and Operations on Numbers (19% of questions), descriptor 2, properties of exponents
Which expression equals the cube root of 64x⁶?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: I. Numbers and Operations on Numbers (19% of questions), descriptor 2, radicals and rational exponents
Which of these numbers is irrational?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: I. Numbers and Operations on Numbers (19% of questions), descriptor 1, properties of rational and irrational numbers
Measurement and geometry 10
A circle has a radius of 9 cm. Using 3.14 for π, what is its area?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: II. Measurement/Geometry (18% of questions), descriptor 2, area of two-dimensional figures. Rule: NASA Glenn Research Center, Area
A cone has a radius of 6 cm and a height of 5 cm. Using V = (1/3)πr²h, what is its volume in terms of π?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: II. Measurement/Geometry (18% of questions), descriptor 5, volume of three-dimensional figures. Rule: NASA Glenn Research Center, Volume
A cylinder has a radius of 4 in and a height of 5 in. Using V = πr²h and 3.14 for π, what is its volume?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: II. Measurement/Geometry (18% of questions), descriptor 5, volume of three-dimensional figures. Rule: NASA Glenn Research Center, Volume
A town of 54,000 people covers 18 square miles. What is its population density?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: II. Measurement/Geometry (18% of questions), descriptor 6, density based on area
A trapezoid has parallel sides of 8 m and 12 m and a height of 5 m. What is its area?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: II. Measurement/Geometry (18% of questions), descriptor 2, area of two-dimensional figures. Rule: NASA Glenn Research Center, Area
A triangle has a base of 18 m and a height of 13 m. What is its area?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: II. Measurement/Geometry (18% of questions), descriptor 2, area of two-dimensional figures. Rule: NASA Glenn Research Center, Area
The legs of a right triangle measure 7 cm and 24 cm. How long is the hypotenuse?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: II. Measurement/Geometry (18% of questions), descriptor 3, the Pythagorean theorem. Rule: NASA Glenn Research Center, Pythagorean Theorem
Triangle ABC is similar to triangle DEF. AB = 8, BC = 12 and DE = 6. How long is EF?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: II. Measurement/Geometry (18% of questions), descriptor 4, similar triangles. Rule: Euclid's Elements VI.4, D. Joyce's edition at Clark University
Two angles form a straight line. One measures 3x degrees and the other measures 2x + 15 degrees. What is the larger angle?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: II. Measurement/Geometry (18% of questions), descriptor 7, supplementary angles. Rule: Euclid's Elements I.13, D. Joyce's edition at Clark University
What is the distance between the points (−1, 2) and (7, 17) on a coordinate grid?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: II. Measurement/Geometry (18% of questions), descriptor 3, distance between two points. Rule: NASA Glenn Research Center, Pythagorean Theorem
Data, probability and statistics 10
A bag holds 3 red, 9 blue and 8 green marbles. One marble is drawn at random. Find the probability that it is blue.HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: III. Data Analysis/Probability/Statistics (18% of questions), descriptor 4, probability of an event. Rule: D. Lippman, Math in Society, edition 2.6, chapter Probability
A city wants to know what its residents think of a new bus line. Which sample is most likely to represent the whole city?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: III. Data Analysis/Probability/Statistics (18% of questions), descriptor 6, selecting a random sample. Rule: D. Lippman, Math in Society, edition 2.6, chapter Statistics
A fair coin is flipped and a spinner with five equal sections numbered 1 to 5 is spun. What is the probability of tails and an odd number?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: III. Data Analysis/Probability/Statistics (18% of questions), descriptor 3, probability of compound events. Rule: D. Lippman, Math in Society, edition 2.6, chapter Probability
A line of best fit for a plant's height is h = 2.5w + 4, with h in centimeters and w in weeks. What does 2.5 stand for?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: III. Data Analysis/Probability/Statistics (18% of questions), descriptor 2, interpreting the slope of a linear model
A spinner landed on red 18 times in 60 spins. Based on these results, about how many reds would you expect in 200 spins?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: III. Data Analysis/Probability/Statistics (18% of questions), descriptor 4, approximating probability from results
Five houses sold for $210,000, $220,000, $225,000, $230,000 and $715,000. Which statement is true?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: III. Data Analysis/Probability/Statistics (18% of questions), descriptor 1, effects of outliers. Rule: D. Lippman, Math in Society, edition 2.6, chapter Describing Data
In a random sample of 80 students from a school of 1,200, 28 say they walk to school. About how many of the school's students would you predict walk?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: III. Data Analysis/Probability/Statistics (18% of questions), descriptor 6, generalizing from a sample. Rule: D. Lippman, Math in Society, edition 2.6, chapter Statistics
Of 50 students, 30 play a sport. Of those 30, 12 also play an instrument. Of the 20 who play no sport, 8 play an instrument. What fraction of the instrument players also play a sport?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: III. Data Analysis/Probability/Statistics (18% of questions), descriptor 1, two-way frequency tables
What is the mean of 18, 11, 23, 16 and 27?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: III. Data Analysis/Probability/Statistics (18% of questions), descriptor 5, measures of center. Rule: D. Lippman, Math in Society, edition 2.6, chapter Describing Data
What is the median of 7, 3, 9, 4, 10 and 5?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: III. Data Analysis/Probability/Statistics (18% of questions), descriptor 5, measures of center. Rule: D. Lippman, Math in Society, edition 2.6, chapter Describing Data
Algebra 25
A bowling alley charges $4 to rent shoes plus $3.25 for each game. Which equation gives the cost C of g games?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: IV. Algebraic Concepts (45% of questions), descriptor 9, creating equations
A function gives the cost of n concert tickets at $12 each. One order may hold at most 8 tickets. Which set is the domain?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: IV. Algebraic Concepts (45% of questions), descriptor 12, domain of a function
A population of 500 doubles every 3 years. Which expression gives the population after t years?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: IV. Algebraic Concepts (45% of questions), descriptor 3, exponential expressions
A student rewrites 2x + 6 = 14 as 2x = 8. What justifies that step?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: IV. Algebraic Concepts (45% of questions), descriptor 13, explaining the steps of a solution
A table of a linear function shows y = 5 when x = 0, y = 11 when x = 2 and y = 17 when x = 4. Which equation fits the table?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: IV. Algebraic Concepts (45% of questions), descriptor 11, writing a function for a relationship
The cost in dollars of a repair that takes h hours is 40 + 15h. What does the 40 stand for?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: IV. Algebraic Concepts (45% of questions), descriptor 1, interpreting parts of an expression
How many solutions does the system y = 2x + 1 and y = 2x − 3 have?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: IV. Algebraic Concepts (45% of questions), descriptor 7, number of solutions of a system
If f(x) = 4x² − 3x + 6, what is f(−2)?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: IV. Algebraic Concepts (45% of questions), descriptor 11, function notation
Maya has $60 and must keep $12 for lunch. Notebooks cost $4 each. What is the greatest number of notebooks she can buy?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: IV. Algebraic Concepts (45% of questions), descriptor 9, creating inequalities
Solve for x: 3x − 7 = 2x + 5.HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: IV. Algebraic Concepts (45% of questions), descriptor 4, linear equations
Solve for x: 6(x − 4) = 42.HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: IV. Algebraic Concepts (45% of questions), descriptor 4, linear equations
Solve for x: 12/x = 3/5.HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: IV. Algebraic Concepts (45% of questions), descriptor 6, rational equations
Solve for x: √(x + 5) = 4.HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: IV. Algebraic Concepts (45% of questions), descriptor 6, radical equations
Solve v = u + at for t.HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: IV. Algebraic Concepts (45% of questions), descriptor 10, rearranging formulas
What are the solutions of 2x² + 3x − 2 = 0?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: IV. Algebraic Concepts (45% of questions), descriptor 5, quadratic equations
What are the solutions of x² − 49 = 0?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: IV. Algebraic Concepts (45% of questions), descriptor 5, quadratic equations by square roots
What are the zeros of f(x) = x² + 2x − 15?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: IV. Algebraic Concepts (45% of questions), descriptor 3, zeros of a quadratic function
What is (3x + 2)(x − 5)?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: IV. Algebraic Concepts (45% of questions), descriptor 2, operations on polynomials
What is (3x² − 2x + 5) − (x² + 4x − 1)?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: IV. Algebraic Concepts (45% of questions), descriptor 2, operations on polynomials
What is the average rate of change of f(x) = x² from x = 2 to x = 6?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: IV. Algebraic Concepts (45% of questions), descriptor 14, average rate of change
What is the minimum value of f(x) = x² − 10x + 32?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: IV. Algebraic Concepts (45% of questions), descriptor 3, completing the square
What is the solution of the system 3x + y = 17 and x − y = 3?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: IV. Algebraic Concepts (45% of questions), descriptor 7, systems of two linear equations
Where does the graph of 5x + 4y = 20 cross the y-axis?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: IV. Algebraic Concepts (45% of questions), descriptor 8, intercepts of a linear function
Which is a factored form of x² − 5x + 6?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: IV. Algebraic Concepts (45% of questions), descriptor 3, factoring a quadratic expression
Which values of x make −2x + 6 > 14 true?HiSET Test at a Glance, Mathematics: IV. Algebraic Concepts (45% of questions), descriptor 4, linear inequalities
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the Mathematics outline in HiSET's Test at a Glance (https://hiset.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/taag.pdf, read 2026-10-06): numbers and operations on numbers 19%, measurement and geometry 18%, data analysis, probability and statistics 18%, algebraic concepts 45%; 55 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes. The bank holds 10, 10, 10 and 25. The California Department of Education's page on the California Proficiency Program (https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/cp.asp, read 2026-10-06) names this subtest as part of the program that replaced the CHSPE. Formulas were read on 2026-10-06 at NASA Glenn Research Center (area, volume, Pythagorean theorem), in Euclid's Elements I.13 and VI.4 in D. Joyce's edition at Clark University, and in D. Lippman, Math in Society, edition 2.6 (CC BY-SA). Every numeric answer was worked out a second time from the numbers the question prints. Licence: Questions, choices, passages and explanations are original work of this site.
Reading: all 50 questions
Literary texts 20
Ana's hands knew the loom before her mind caught up. Over, under, pull. The pattern was her mother's, and her mother's mother's, a red diamond inside a black one. She had sworn at sixteen that she would never weave. Now the shuttle flew, and she did not look up until the light failed. Question: What does the last sentence show about Ana?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: I. Literary Texts (40% of questions); process category B.2, draw conclusions not stated in the text. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Ana's hands knew the loom before her mind caught up. Over, under, pull. The pattern was her mother's, and her mother's mother's, a red diamond inside a black one. She had sworn at sixteen that she would never weave. Now the shuttle flew, and she did not look up until the light failed. Question: What is the pattern Ana weaves?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: I. Literary Texts (40% of questions); process category A.1, understand explicit details. The passage is our own and holds the answer
The bus coughed to a stop and let off one passenger. Darius looked at the single streetlight, the shuttered feed store, the dog asleep in the road. "Lively," he said to no one. He shouldered his duffel and started toward the only lit window, already composing the postcard he would send home. Question: Darius's remark "Lively" is best described asHiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: I. Literary Texts (40% of questions); process category C.5, evaluate the use of literary devices such as irony. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Show all 50 questions (47 more)
Literary texts, continued
The bus coughed to a stop and let off one passenger. Darius looked at the single streetlight, the shuttered feed store, the dog asleep in the road. "Lively," he said to no one. He shouldered his duffel and started toward the only lit window, already composing the postcard he would send home. Question: Which detail shows that Darius has come from somewhere else?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: I. Literary Texts (40% of questions); process category A.1, understand explicit details. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Coach Imani did not shout when the relay team dropped the baton. She picked it up, turned it over as if reading it, and handed it back to Rosa. "Again," she said. By the tenth pass Rosa's hands had stopped shaking, and nobody remembered who had dropped it first. Question: What does the detail about Rosa's hands suggest?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: I. Literary Texts (40% of questions); process category B.2, draw conclusions not stated in the text. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Coach Imani did not shout when the relay team dropped the baton. She picked it up, turned it over as if reading it, and handed it back to Rosa. "Again," she said. By the tenth pass Rosa's hands had stopped shaking, and nobody remembered who had dropped it first. Question: Which words best describe Coach Imani?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: I. Literary Texts (40% of questions); process category B.3, infer the traits of characters. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Everyone at the reunion agreed that Uncle Teo told the story best. Each year the fish grew a little, the storm blew a little harder, and the rowboat came a little closer to sinking. We cousins knew the true size of that fish. We asked for the story anyway. Question: What do the cousins understand about Uncle Teo's story?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: I. Literary Texts (40% of questions); process category B.1, make and support inferences. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Everyone at the reunion agreed that Uncle Teo told the story best. Each year the fish grew a little, the storm blew a little harder, and the rowboat came a little closer to sinking. We cousins knew the true size of that fish. We asked for the story anyway. Question: Which sentence best states the theme of the passage?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: I. Literary Texts (40% of questions); process category C.1, determine the theme of a text. The passage is our own and holds the answer
I failed my first driving test before I left the parking lot. The examiner wrote something on his clipboard, and I watched my summer plans slide off the hood like rain. My mother said nothing on the walk home. She just bought two lemon ices and handed me the bigger one. Question: The phrase "slide off the hood like rain" isHiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: I. Literary Texts (40% of questions); process category B.5, interpret figurative language. The passage is our own and holds the answer
I failed my first driving test before I left the parking lot. The examiner wrote something on his clipboard, and I watched my summer plans slide off the hood like rain. My mother said nothing on the walk home. She just bought two lemon ices and handed me the bigger one. Question: Why does the mother most likely hand over the bigger lemon ice?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: I. Literary Texts (40% of questions); process category B.3, infer the motives of characters. The passage is our own and holds the answer
The letter from the college sat on the table for two days. Ming dusted around it. He watered the plants, repaired a hinge that was not broken, and alphabetized the spices. On the third morning his sister slid a butter knife across the table and said, "Thin envelope or thick, it says the same thing tomorrow." Question: What does his sister's remark mean?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: I. Literary Texts (40% of questions); process category A.2, the meaning of phrases as used in the text. The passage is our own and holds the answer
The letter from the college sat on the table for two days. Ming dusted around it. He watered the plants, repaired a hinge that was not broken, and alphabetized the spices. On the third morning his sister slid a butter knife across the table and said, "Thin envelope or thick, it says the same thing tomorrow." Question: Why does Ming keep doing chores?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: I. Literary Texts (40% of questions); process category B.3, infer the motives of characters. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Morning comes to the harbor slow, / a gray cat stretching on the pier. / The boats nod yes, the gulls say no, / and I stand listening, still here. Question: In the first two lines of the poem, morning is compared toHiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: I. Literary Texts (40% of questions); process category B.5, interpret figurative language. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Morning comes to the harbor slow, / a gray cat stretching on the pier. / The boats nod yes, the gulls say no, / and I stand listening, still here. Question: Which words best describe the mood of the poem?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: I. Literary Texts (40% of questions); process category C.4, recognize mood or tone. The passage is our own and holds the answer
My grandmother kept her seeds in envelopes labeled in pencil, each one dated in her slanted hand. When I was nine I thought it fussy. At forty, sorting those envelopes after she was gone, I understood that she had been writing me letters all along, one growing season at a time. Question: How does the narrator's view of the envelopes change?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: I. Literary Texts (40% of questions); process category C.3, how ideas develop over the course of a text. The passage is our own and holds the answer
My grandmother kept her seeds in envelopes labeled in pencil, each one dated in her slanted hand. When I was nine I thought it fussy. At forty, sorting those envelopes after she was gone, I understood that she had been writing me letters all along, one growing season at a time. Question: What does the narrator mean by saying the grandmother "had been writing me letters"?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: I. Literary Texts (40% of questions); process category B.5, interpret nonliteral language. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Nell wiped the counter a third time, though it was already clean. The bakery's bell had not rung since noon. She set out the last tray of rolls anyway, squaring each one, as her father had done every evening for thirty years. Tomorrow the sign in the window would read CLOSED, and she wanted the shelves to look the way they always had. Question: What does the silent bell tell the reader?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: I. Literary Texts (40% of questions); process category B.1, make and support inferences. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Nell wiped the counter a third time, though it was already clean. The bakery's bell had not rung since noon. She set out the last tray of rolls anyway, squaring each one, as her father had done every evening for thirty years. Tomorrow the sign in the window would read CLOSED, and she wanted the shelves to look the way they always had. Question: Why does Nell most likely set out the rolls so carefully?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: I. Literary Texts (40% of questions); process category B.3, infer the feelings and motives of characters. The passage is our own and holds the answer
The river had always stayed politely inside its banks, so no one in Miller's Crossing owned a boat. That spring the snow in the hills was deeper than anyone's grandfather could recall, and the old-timers on the store porch had started watching the water instead of the road. Question: Based on the passage, what will most likely happen next?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: I. Literary Texts (40% of questions); process category D.2, make predictions from several pieces of evidence. The passage is our own and holds the answer
The river had always stayed politely inside its banks, so no one in Miller's Crossing owned a boat. That spring the snow in the hills was deeper than anyone's grandfather could recall, and the old-timers on the store porch had started watching the water instead of the road. Question: What does the word "politely" suggest about the river?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: I. Literary Texts (40% of questions); process category A.3, the effect of word choice on meaning and tone. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Informational texts 30
A good trail is a quiet argument. It persuades the hiker to stay on it by being easier than the brush on either side. Signs and fences only order people around; a well-laid path makes the right choice the obvious one, and almost no one notices they have been convinced. Question: According to the writer, how do signs and fences differ from a good path?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category C.3, how ideas interact through comparison and contrast. The passage is our own and holds the answer
A good trail is a quiet argument. It persuades the hiker to stay on it by being easier than the brush on either side. Signs and fences only order people around; a well-laid path makes the right choice the obvious one, and almost no one notices they have been convinced. Question: What does the writer mean by calling a trail "a quiet argument"?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category B.5, interpret nonliteral language. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Bike shop drop-offs last week: Monday 62, Tuesday 41, Wednesday 38, Thursday 44, Friday 57. The manager's note reads: "We schedule the same staff every weekday. Customers wait longest on the days at each end of the week. I recommend moving one mechanic from Wednesday to Monday." Question: On which day did the shop receive the fewest drop-offs?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category B.4, interpret information presented in different formats. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Bike shop drop-offs last week: Monday 62, Tuesday 41, Wednesday 38, Thursday 44, Friday 57. The manager's note reads: "We schedule the same staff every weekday. Customers wait longest on the days at each end of the week. I recommend moving one mechanic from Wednesday to Monday." Question: Which fact best supports the manager's recommendation?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category C.5, evaluate arguments. The passage is our own and holds the answer
For thirty-one years the same driver ran the county's only bookmobile. She kept no schedule on paper; farm families simply knew she came on the day the milk truck did not. When the county offered her a desk job, she asked whether the desk had wheels. Question: How did farm families know when the bookmobile would come?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category A.1, understand explicit details. The passage is our own and holds the answer
For thirty-one years the same driver ran the county's only bookmobile. She kept no schedule on paper; farm families simply knew she came on the day the milk truck did not. When the county offered her a desk job, she asked whether the desk had wheels. Question: What does her question about the desk suggest?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category B.3, infer the traits and motives of individuals. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Help wanted: weekend stock clerk. Duties include unloading deliveries, shelving goods and keeping aisles clear. Applicants must be able to lift forty pounds and work Saturdays from 6 a.m. to noon. No experience is needed; training is paid. Apply in person at the service desk, not by phone. Question: How should a person apply for the job?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category A.1, understand explicit details. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Help wanted: weekend stock clerk. Duties include unloading deliveries, shelving goods and keeping aisles clear. Applicants must be able to lift forty pounds and work Saturdays from 6 a.m. to noon. No experience is needed; training is paid. Apply in person at the service desk, not by phone. Question: Who could not take this job?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category B.2, draw conclusions not stated in the text. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Letter to the editor: The new parking meters downtown take only a phone app. My neighbor is eighty-four and has no smartphone; last week she drove home without buying her groceries. A city that wants shoppers downtown should not make a phone the price of admission. Add a coin slot. Question: How does the writer use the neighbor's story?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category C.5, evaluate arguments. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Letter to the editor: The new parking meters downtown take only a phone app. My neighbor is eighty-four and has no smartphone; last week she drove home without buying her groceries. A city that wants shoppers downtown should not make a phone the price of admission. Add a coin slot. Question: What is the writer's purpose?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category C.2, the author's purpose. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Notice to tenants: Beginning March 1, the laundry room will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. instead of around the clock. Several residents on the first floor reported noise late at night. Machines will switch off automatically at closing time, so start your last load by 8 p.m. Question: Why are the laundry room hours changing?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category A.1, understand explicit details. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Notice to tenants: Beginning March 1, the laundry room will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. instead of around the clock. Several residents on the first floor reported noise late at night. Machines will switch off automatically at closing time, so start your last load by 8 p.m. Question: Why does the notice say to start the last load by 8 p.m.?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category B.1, make and support inferences. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Our school's vending machines switched to fruit and water in September. In October, the track team won its first meet in three years. Clearly, the new snacks are making our athletes faster. The school board should put the same machines in every school in the district. Question: What is the weakness in the writer's reasoning?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category C.5, evaluate arguments. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Our school's vending machines switched to fruit and water in September. In October, the track team won its first meet in three years. Clearly, the new snacks are making our athletes faster. The school board should put the same machines in every school in the district. Question: Which evidence would best test the writer's claim?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category D.1, draw conclusions from several pieces of evidence. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Our town spends more each year patching Elm Street than it would cost to repave it once. Patching feels cheaper because the bill arrives in small pieces. But small bills add up, and drivers pay again in worn tires. The council should stop counting this year's cost and start counting the decade's. Question: What is the writer's main claim?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category C.1, determine the main idea. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Our town spends more each year patching Elm Street than it would cost to repave it once. Patching feels cheaper because the bill arrives in small pieces. But small bills add up, and drivers pay again in worn tires. The council should stop counting this year's cost and start counting the decade's. Question: Why does the writer say that the patching bill "arrives in small pieces"?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category C.2, the author's purpose. The passage is our own and holds the answer
People call volunteering a gift of time, as if time were something we hand over and lose. In my years at the food pantry I have been handed far more than I gave: recipes, jokes, three languages' worth of thank-yous, and one very patient lesson in how to tie a proper apron knot. Question: What does the author believe about volunteering?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category C.2, the author's viewpoint. The passage is our own and holds the answer
People call volunteering a gift of time, as if time were something we hand over and lose. In my years at the food pantry I have been handed far more than I gave: recipes, jokes, three languages' worth of thank-yous, and one very patient lesson in how to tie a proper apron knot. Question: Which words best describe the tone of the passage?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category C.4, recognize tone. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Return policy: Items may be returned within 30 days with a receipt for a full refund. Without a receipt, we offer store credit at the item's lowest price in the past 30 days. Opened software, gift cards and clearance items marked FINAL SALE cannot be returned. Question: A shopper returns an unopened lamp after 10 days without a receipt. What does the shopper get?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category B.2, draw conclusions not stated in the text. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Return policy: Items may be returned within 30 days with a receipt for a full refund. Without a receipt, we offer store credit at the item's lowest price in the past 30 days. Opened software, gift cards and clearance items marked FINAL SALE cannot be returned. Question: Which item cannot be returned even with a receipt?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category A.1, understand explicit details. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Text 1, a city flyer: "Composting is easy. Put food scraps in the green bin and we do the rest." Text 2, a resident's review: "The green bin works, but pickup comes every other week. In July, plan on rinsing the bin often and keeping it far from your windows." Question: On what do the two texts agree?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category D.1, generalize from several pieces of evidence. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Text 1, a city flyer: "Composting is easy. Put food scraps in the green bin and we do the rest." Text 2, a resident's review: "The green bin works, but pickup comes every other week. In July, plan on rinsing the bin often and keeping it far from your windows." Question: What does Text 2 add that Text 1 leaves out?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category D.4, how two texts present the same topic. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Text 1: A four-day school week would give students a full day for jobs, appointments and rest, and attendance would rise. Text 2: A four-day school week means longer class days, and tired students learn less in the seventh hour than in the second. The lost day would also leave working parents without child care. Question: On what point do the two texts disagree?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category D.3, compare and contrast two texts. The passage is our own and holds the answer
Text 1: A four-day school week would give students a full day for jobs, appointments and rest, and attendance would rise. Text 2: A four-day school week means longer class days, and tired students learn less in the seventh hour than in the second. The lost day would also leave working parents without child care. Question: Which of Text 2's objections is about families, not about learning?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category A.1, understand explicit details. The passage is our own and holds the answer
To all kitchen staff: Starting Monday, label every container with the item and the date it was opened. Unlabeled containers will be thrown out at closing. Last week we discarded three trays of prepared food because no one could say how old they were. Labels are in the drawer beside the walk-in. Question: Under the new rule, what happens to a container with no label?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category A.1, understand explicit details. The passage is our own and holds the answer
To all kitchen staff: Starting Monday, label every container with the item and the date it was opened. Unlabeled containers will be thrown out at closing. Last week we discarded three trays of prepared food because no one could say how old they were. Labels are in the drawer beside the walk-in. Question: Why does the memo mention the three trays?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category C.2, the author's purpose. The passage is our own and holds the answer
To renew a library card online, sign in with the number printed on the back of the card. Choose Renew from the account menu and confirm your mailing address. Cards with unpaid fees over ten dollars cannot be renewed online; those members must visit a branch desk. A renewed card is good for two more years. Question: A member owes fourteen dollars in fees. How can that member renew?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category B.2, draw conclusions not stated in the text. The passage is our own and holds the answer
To renew a library card online, sign in with the number printed on the back of the card. Choose Renew from the account menu and confirm your mailing address. Cards with unpaid fees over ten dollars cannot be renewed online; those members must visit a branch desk. A renewed card is good for two more years. Question: After signing in, what is the next step?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category C.4, recognize the structure of a text. The passage is our own and holds the answer
When the cannery closed, Harbor Street lost more than jobs. The lunch counter that fed the day shift shut within a year. The hardware store cut its hours, then its staff. By the time the bus line dropped the stop, there was little left to stop for. Question: How is this passage organized?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category C.4, recognize the structure of a text. The passage is our own and holds the answer
When the cannery closed, Harbor Street lost more than jobs. The lunch counter that fed the day shift shut within a year. The hardware store cut its hours, then its staff. By the time the bus line dropped the stop, there was little left to stop for. Question: What does "little left to stop for" mean?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Reading: II. Informational Texts (60% of questions); process category A.2, the meaning of phrases as used in the text. The passage is our own and holds the answer
How this list was compiled: Our own passages and questions, written to the Language Arts – Reading outline in HiSET's Test at a Glance (https://hiset.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/taag.pdf, read 2026-10-06): literary texts 40%, informational texts 60%; 50 multiple-choice questions in 65 minutes; process categories comprehension, inference and interpretation, analysis, synthesis and generalization. The bank holds 20 questions on 10 literary passages and 30 on 15 informational ones. Every passage was written for this page, names no real person, place or event, and holds the answer to its two questions. The real texts run 400 to 600 words; these are short. The California Department of Education's page on the California Proficiency Program (https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/cp.asp, read 2026-10-06) names language arts as part of the program that replaced the CHSPE. Licence: Questions, choices, passages and explanations are original work of this site.
Writing: all 60 questions
Organization of ideas 13
A paragraph argues that the town should add a late bus. Which sentence best closes it?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: I. Organization of Ideas (22% of questions), descriptor 1, effective closing sentences. Rule: Writing for Success, section 6.2 Effective Means for Writing a Paragraph
A paragraph explains how to sign up for an evening class. Which sentence belongs in it?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: I. Organization of Ideas (22% of questions), descriptor 2, relevance of content. Rule: Writing for Success, section 8.4 Revising and Editing
A paragraph gives these details: the pool reopens June 1, lessons begin June 8, and season passes go on sale next week. Which sentence best opens it?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: I. Organization of Ideas (22% of questions), descriptor 1, effective opening sentences. Rule: Writing for Success, section 6.2 Effective Means for Writing a Paragraph
Show all 60 questions (57 more)
Organization of ideas, continued
A writer wants to explain how two bus routes differ in travel time and in fare. Which structure fits best?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: I. Organization of Ideas (22% of questions), descriptor 3, organizational structure. Rule: Writing for Success, section 10.7 Comparison and Contrast
What is the most logical order for these sentences? (1) She paid the cashier. (2) Lena walked into the store. (3) She carried her bag out to the car. (4) She chose a loaf of bread from the shelf.HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: I. Organization of Ideas (22% of questions), descriptor 3, organizational structure. Rule: Writing for Success, section 8.4 Revising and Editing
Where does this sentence fit best? "The coach decided something had to change." (1) Our team finished last in May. (2) We added two practices a week. (3) By August we had won four games in a row.HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: I. Organization of Ideas (22% of questions), descriptor 3, organizational structure. Rule: Writing for Success, section 8.4 Revising and Editing
Which sentence should be removed from this paragraph? (1) The night shift starts at 11 p.m. (2) Workers check in at the front gate. (3) The gate was painted green last year. (4) After checking in, they pick up their radios.HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: I. Organization of Ideas (22% of questions), descriptor 2, relevance of content. Rule: Writing for Success, section 8.4 Revising and Editing
Which sentence would best state the main claim of an essay that argues for longer library hours?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: I. Organization of Ideas (22% of questions), descriptor 1, effective opening sentences. Rule: Writing for Success, section 9.1 Developing a Strong, Clear Thesis Statement
Which transition best fills the blank? "Carla saves part of every paycheck. ___, her brother sets aside a little each week."HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: I. Organization of Ideas (22% of questions), descriptor 4, logical transitions. Rule: Writing for Success, section 8.4 Revising and Editing
Which transition best fills the blank? "Sam studied every night for a week. ___, he missed half the questions on the quiz."HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: I. Organization of Ideas (22% of questions), descriptor 4, logical transitions. Rule: Writing for Success, section 8.4 Revising and Editing
Which transition best fills the blank? "Stir the dry ingredients together. ___, pour in the milk a little at a time."HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: I. Organization of Ideas (22% of questions), descriptor 4, logical transitions. Rule: Writing for Success, section 8.4 Revising and Editing
Which transition best fills the blank? "The forecast called for rain all weekend. ___, the school moved the graduation ceremony into the gym."HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: I. Organization of Ideas (22% of questions), descriptor 4, logical transitions. Rule: Writing for Success, section 8.4 Revising and Editing
Which transition best fills the blank? "The shelter needs supplies. ___, it is short on blankets and canned food."HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: I. Organization of Ideas (22% of questions), descriptor 4, logical transitions. Rule: Writing for Success, section 8.4 Revising and Editing
Language facility 26
A lab report reads, "The results were awesome." Which revision fits the formal style of a report?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: II. Language Facility (43% of questions), descriptor 4, style and tone. Rule: Writing for Success, section 4.3 Word Choice
A notice begins, "Residents are asked to keep hallways clear." Which next sentence keeps the same tone?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: II. Language Facility (43% of questions), descriptor 4, style and tone. Rule: Writing for Success, section 8.4 Revising and Editing
A writer wants to praise an aunt who is careful with money. Which word has the most positive connotation?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: II. Language Facility (43% of questions), descriptor 5, nuances in word meaning. Rule: Writing for Success, section 4.3 Word Choice
After weeks of study, Priya said the final exam was "a piece of cake." What did she mean?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: II. Language Facility (43% of questions), descriptor 3, idiomatic usage. Rule: Writing for Success, section 5.8 Slang and Idioms
"Relax, I was only pulling your leg." What does the speaker mean?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: II. Language Facility (43% of questions), descriptor 3, idiomatic usage. Rule: Writing for Success, section 5.8 Slang and Idioms
"We were on pins and needles until the results were posted." What does the idiom mean?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: II. Language Facility (43% of questions), descriptor 3, idiomatic usage. Rule: Writing for Success, section 5.8 Slang and Idioms
Which idiom best fills the blank? "Losing that job was ___; it pushed me to finish my degree."HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: II. Language Facility (43% of questions), descriptor 3, idiomatic usage. Rule: Writing for Success, section 5.8 Slang and Idioms
Which of these joins two complete sentences with a comma and a coordinating conjunction?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: II. Language Facility (43% of questions), descriptor 2, compound and complex sentences. Rule: Writing for Success, section 7.2 Coordination and Subordination
Which revision corrects this sentence? "After finishing the exam, the pencils were collected."HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: II. Language Facility (43% of questions), descriptor 1, modifier placement. Rule: Writing for Success, section 2.7 Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
Which revision corrects this sentence? "Jogging home from practice, the rain soaked my jacket."HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: II. Language Facility (43% of questions), descriptor 1, modifier placement. Rule: Writing for Success, section 2.7 Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
Which revision corrects this sentence? "Marco likes hiking, to swim, and riding his bike."HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: II. Language Facility (43% of questions), descriptor 1, parallel structure. Rule: Writing for Success, section 7.3 Parallelism
Which revision is clear and has no unneeded words? "As far as the weather is concerned, there are icy roads that are a danger to drivers."HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: II. Language Facility (43% of questions), descriptor 4, precise expression. Rule: Writing for Success, section 8.4 Revising and Editing
Which revision is in the active voice? "The report was written by Jo."HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: II. Language Facility (43% of questions), descriptor 4, precise expression. Rule: Writing for Success, section 8.4 Revising and Editing
Which revision of "The movie was good" is the most precise?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: II. Language Facility (43% of questions), descriptor 4, precise expression. Rule: Writing for Success, section 4.3 Word Choice
Which sentence best combines these two to show contrast? "The power went out. The clerk kept working."HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: II. Language Facility (43% of questions), descriptor 2, compound and complex sentences. Rule: Writing for Success, section 7.2 Coordination and Subordination
Which sentence best combines these two? "Dr. Lee is our neighbor. She coaches the chess club."HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: II. Language Facility (43% of questions), descriptor 2, compound and complex sentences. Rule: Writing for Success, section 7.1 Sentence Variety
Which sentence best combines these two? "The mechanic fixed my brakes. She works on Fifth Street."HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: II. Language Facility (43% of questions), descriptor 2, compound and complex sentences. Rule: Writing for Success, section 7.1 Sentence Variety
Which sentence best combines these two? "The store was closed. We went home."HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: II. Language Facility (43% of questions), descriptor 2, compound and complex sentences. Rule: Writing for Success, section 7.2 Coordination and Subordination
Which sentence fits a formal letter to a manager?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: II. Language Facility (43% of questions), descriptor 4, style and tone. Rule: Writing for Success, section 8.4 Revising and Editing
Which sentence places its modifier correctly?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: II. Language Facility (43% of questions), descriptor 1, modifier placement. Rule: Writing for Success, section 2.7 Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
Which sentence says the time with no repeated idea?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: II. Language Facility (43% of questions), descriptor 4, precise expression. Rule: Writing for Success, section 8.4 Revising and Editing
Which sentence uses parallel structure?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: II. Language Facility (43% of questions), descriptor 1, parallel structure. Rule: Writing for Success, section 7.3 Parallelism
Which verb shows that the inspector was least certain? "The inspector ___ that the wiring was faulty."HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: II. Language Facility (43% of questions), descriptor 5, nuances in word meaning. Rule: Writing for Success, section 4.3 Word Choice
Which word best suggests walking slowly and with effort? "After the double shift, Omar ___ up the stairs."HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: II. Language Facility (43% of questions), descriptor 5, nuances in word meaning. Rule: Writing for Success, section 4.3 Word Choice
Which word gives a negative picture of a salesperson who keeps asking for the sale?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: II. Language Facility (43% of questions), descriptor 5, nuances in word meaning. Rule: Writing for Success, section 4.3 Word Choice
Which words complete the sentence with parallel structure? "She is not only a skilled welder but also ___."HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: II. Language Facility (43% of questions), descriptor 1, parallel structure. Rule: Writing for Success, section 7.3 Parallelism
Writing conventions 21
A writer has used "happy" four times in one paragraph and wants words with nearly the same meaning. Which reference is the best place to look?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: III. Writing Conventions (35% of questions), descriptor 5, use of reference sources. Rule: Writing for Success, section 4.3 Word Choice
The tools belong to several workers. Which sentence shows that correctly?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: III. Writing Conventions (35% of questions), descriptor 4, punctuation. Rule: Writing for Success, section 3.5 Apostrophes
Which of these is a complete sentence?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: III. Writing Conventions (35% of questions), descriptor 3, fragments and run-ons. Rule: Writing for Success, section 2.1 Sentence Writing
Which revision corrects this run-on? "The store closes at nine we need to hurry."HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: III. Writing Conventions (35% of questions), descriptor 3, fragments and run-ons. Rule: Writing for Success, section 2.1 Sentence Writing
Which revision turns this fragment into a complete sentence? "After the meeting ended."HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: III. Writing Conventions (35% of questions), descriptor 3, fragments and run-ons. Rule: Writing for Success, section 2.1 Sentence Writing
Which sentence is capitalized correctly?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: III. Writing Conventions (35% of questions), descriptor 4, capitalization. Rule: Writing for Success, section 2.4 Capitalization
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: III. Writing Conventions (35% of questions), descriptor 4, punctuation. Rule: Writing for Success, section 3.2 Semicolons
Which sentence keeps one verb tense throughout?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: III. Writing Conventions (35% of questions), descriptor 2, shifts in verb tense. Rule: Writing for Success, section 2.3 Verb Tense
Which sentence punctuates the list correctly?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: III. Writing Conventions (35% of questions), descriptor 4, punctuation. Rule: Writing for Success, section 3.1 Commas
Which sentence uses a colon correctly?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: III. Writing Conventions (35% of questions), descriptor 4, punctuation. Rule: Writing for Success, section 3.3 Colons
Which sentence uses a comma correctly?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: III. Writing Conventions (35% of questions), descriptor 4, punctuation. Rule: Writing for Success, section 3.1 Commas
Which word completes the sentence? "Each of the drivers ___ a logbook."HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: III. Writing Conventions (35% of questions), descriptor 2, subject-verb agreement. Rule: Writing for Success, section 2.2 Subject-Verb Agreement
Which word completes the sentence? "Of the two routes, the river road is ___."HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: III. Writing Conventions (35% of questions), descriptor 1, forms of modifiers. Rule: Writing for Success, section 2.6 Adjectives and Adverbs
Which word completes the sentence? "The committee announced ___ decision on Friday."HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: III. Writing Conventions (35% of questions), descriptor 2, pronoun-antecedent agreement. Rule: Writing for Success, section 2.5 Pronouns
Which word completes the sentence? "The engine runs ___ since the tune-up."HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: III. Writing Conventions (35% of questions), descriptor 1, forms of modifiers. Rule: Writing for Success, section 2.6 Adjectives and Adverbs
Which word completes the sentence? "The list of approved vendors ___ posted by the door."HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: III. Writing Conventions (35% of questions), descriptor 2, subject-verb agreement. Rule: Writing for Success, section 2.2 Subject-Verb Agreement
Which word completes the sentence? "The supervisor gave the keys to Dan and ___."HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: III. Writing Conventions (35% of questions), descriptor 1, forms of pronouns. Rule: Writing for Success, section 2.5 Pronouns
Which word completes the sentence? "There ___ three reasons for the delay."HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: III. Writing Conventions (35% of questions), descriptor 2, subject-verb agreement. Rule: Writing for Success, section 2.2 Subject-Verb Agreement
Which word completes the sentence? "To ___ should I send the form?"HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: III. Writing Conventions (35% of questions), descriptor 1, forms of pronouns. Rule: Writing for Success, section 2.5 Pronouns
Which word completes the sentence? "Yesterday Carlos ___ the delivery van to Stockton."HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: III. Writing Conventions (35% of questions), descriptor 1, forms of verbs. Rule: Writing for Success, section 2.3 Verb Tense
Which word is spelled correctly?HiSET Test at a Glance, Language Arts – Writing: III. Writing Conventions (35% of questions), descriptor 4, spelling. Rule: Writing for Success, section 4.2 Spelling
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the Language Arts – Writing outline in HiSET's Test at a Glance (https://hiset.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/taag.pdf, read 2026-10-06): organization of ideas 22%, language facility 43%, writing conventions 35%; 60 multiple-choice questions and one essay in 120 minutes. The bank holds 13, 26 and 21 multiple-choice questions and no essay. Each rule was read on 2026-10-06 in Writing for Success (University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing edition, 2015, CC BY-NC-SA; the copy at https://saylordotorg.github.io/text_writing-for-success/), in the section named on the question; the meanings of trudge, thrifty, stingy, cheap, tight-fisted and guess were also read in Wiktionary, and that of pushy on 2026-10-07. The California Department of Education's page on the California Proficiency Program (https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/cp.asp, read 2026-10-06) names language arts as part of the program that replaced the CHSPE. Licence: Questions, choices, passages and explanations are original work of this site.
How it works
This CHSPE practice test has 165 questions of our own for the test that replaced it. It is unofficial and not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the California Department of Education or PSI Services, the owner of HiSET.
Read the full guide
What replaced the CHSPE
The California Proficiency Program, which uses HiSET subtests in language arts and mathematics, says the California Department of Education's proficiency page, read October 6, 2026.
How long the real subtests are
HiSET's Test at a Glance gives Mathematics 55 questions in 90 minutes, Reading 50 in 65, and Writing 60 plus one essay in 120. Exam mode asks the same number of questions, with the clock for Mathematics and Reading.
What is different here
Real reading texts run 400 to 600 words, and real writing questions sit inside whole drafts. Ours are short enough for a phone screen. The essay is not practiced here.
The formula sheet leaves out three things, the outline says: distance = rate × time, the Pythagorean theorem and the quadratic formula.
The outline calls Mathematics calculator neutral: no calculator is required, and the test center provides one if you ask.
Questions and answers
Is the CHSPE still offered?
No. The California Department of Education says the CHSPE was the state's proficiency test from 1974 to 2023. Passing the program that replaced it earns a Certificate of Proficiency, the legal equivalent of a California high school diploma.
What score do you need to pass?
HiSET's California Proficiency page, read October 6, 2026, asks for at least 15 of 20 on each of the three subtests, at least 4 of 6 on the essay, and a total scaled score of at least 45 of 60.
Is this a free CHSPE practice test online?
Yes: free CHSPE prep, with no sign-up, and unofficial. Each question is written to the published outline. None is copied or reworded from a real test, a released form or an official sample question.
Is there a CHSPE math practice test PDF?
Yes. Finish a set of Mathematics questions, press Print, and add as many of the 55 questions as you want to the sheet, with the answer key if you tick it. Save as PDF in the print window keeps a copy.
Who can take the California proficiency test?
The state's page lists two conditions. A student is 16 or older, or has been enrolled in grade 10 for a school year or will be by the end of the semester. The student is also still subject to California's compulsory education law.