HiSET Exam Questions

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1.

Kristina travels 25 miles to work, one way. In the mornings, it takes her 38 minutes to get to work, but in the evenings, it only takes her 32 minutes to get home. What is Kristina’s average speed for the entire journey to work and back?

  • 42.9 mph

  • 91.2 mph

  • 46.9 mph

  • 21.4 mph

Correct answer: 42.9 mph

The formula to find speed is speed = distance / time. 

Average speed = ((25 miles * 2) / (38 min + 32 min)) x (60 min / 1 hr) = 42.9 mph.

2.

Which option is closest to Bradley's height in inches if he measures 6' 3"?

  • 75"

  • 63"

  • 92"

  • 70"

Correct answer: 75"

Convert feet into inches.

1 foot/12 inches = 6 feet/x inches

x = 72 inches

Add 3 inches to 72 to get Bradley's total height.

3 + 72 = 75 inches, or 75"

3.

0.404 millimeters is equal to how many centimeters?

  • 0.0404 centimeters

  • 40.4 centimeters

  • 4.04 centimeters

  • 0.00404 centimeters

Correct answer: 0.0404 centimeters

One centimeter is equal to ten millimeters; therefore, 0.0404 centimeters is equal to 0.404 millimeters (0.404/10 = 0.0404).

4.

Which type of chemical bond shares one electron pair?

  • Single covalent bond

  • Double covalent bond

  • Nonpolar covalent bond

  • Polar covalent bond

Correct answer: Single covalent bond

A single covalent bond is a chemical bond that shares one electron pair. 

A double covalent bond is a chemical bond that shares two electron pairs. A nonpolar covalent bond is a chemical bond that has a covalent bond in which electrons are equally attracted to both nuclei. A polar covalent bond is a chemical bond that has a covalent bond in which electrons are more attracted to one nucleus than another.

5.

Read the passage, and then answer the following question.

Which of the following options best describes the author’s mood?

  • Passionate

  • Depressed

  • Angry

  • Worried

Correct answer: Passionate

Passionate is the option that best describes the author’s mood. Throughout the article, the author speaks of his excitement about the cars that were manufactured in 1967. 

Nowhere in the article did the author appear to be depressed, angry, or worried, so these options can be eliminated.

6.

Find the sum of 3/5 and the second lowest number in the following set of numbers:

7/9, 9/11, 2/3, 5/7, 9/13

  • 1 19/65

  • 1 11/35

  • 1 17/45

  • 1 4/15

Correct answer: 1 19/65

First, convert the numbers to decimals to determine the second lowest number.

7 ÷ 9 = 0.78

9 ÷ 11 = 0.82

2 ÷ 3 = 0.67

5 ÷ 7 = 0.71

9 ÷ 13 = 0.69

The second lowest number is 0.69, or 9/13.

Add 3/5 to 9/13 by first finding a common denominator.

3/5 + 9/13

(3/5) × (13/13) + (9/13) × (5/5)

39/65 + 45/65 = 84/65, or 1 19/65

7.

If a dog’s heart beats at 3 beats per second, what is the period of each of the dog’s heart beats in seconds?

  • 0.33 s

  • 0.05 s

  • 0.12 s

  • 0.15 s

Correct answer: 0.33 s

A period is the time between two events. In this question, the period is the time between the beginning of one heartbeat and the beginning of the next heartbeat. If the dog’s heart beats at 3 beats per second, the period of each heartbeat is 1/3 of a second or 0.33 s.

8.

Read the passage, and then answer the following question.

Which of the following best explains why Congress ordered a study on nuclear testing?

  • Congress identified that the nuclear testing was causing harmful radiation exposures

  • Congress found that many Nevada residents were dying from thyroid cancer

  • Congress identified that many children were getting sick from drinking cow’s milk

  • Congress wanted to expand nuclear testing into other regions of the United States

Correct answer: Congress identified that the nuclear testing was causing harmful radiation exposures

Although the passage does not directly state why Congress ordered tests on nuclear testing, they may have been ordered because of radiation exposure from nuclear weapons.

In the passage, the author never states that Congress identified Americans getting sick or that Congress wanted to expand nuclear testing; therefore, those options can be eliminated.

9.

What quantity is represented by the metric system prefix "deci-?"

  • 0.1

  • 0.01

  • 100

  • 10

Correct answer: 0.1

The prefix "deci-" indicates one tenth, or 0.1, as in the word "decibel." 

The prefix "deca-" means 10, and "hecto-" means 100.

10.

Solve the following by subtracting.

28 1/2 - 12 1/4 

  • 16 1/4

  • 16 1/2

  • 16 3/4

  • 16 1/8

Correct answer: 16 1/4

1. Convert 28 1/2 to improper fraction

Use this rule: a b/c = (ac+b)/c

(28×2+1)/2 − 12 1/4

2. Simplify 28×2 to 56

(56+1)/2 − 12 1/4

3. Simplify 56+1 to 57

57/2 − 12 1/4

4. Convert 12 1/4 to improper fraction

Use this rule: a b/c = (ac+b)/c

57/2 − (12×4+1)/4

5. Simplify 12×4 to 48

57/2 − (48+1)/4

6. Simplify 48+1 to 49

57/2 − 49/4

7. Find the Least Common Denominator (LCD) of 57/2,49/4

Method 1: By Listing Multiples List out all multiples of each denominator, and find the first common one.

2 : 2,4

4 : 4

Therefore, the LCD is 4

Method 2: By Prime Factors List all prime factors of each denominator, and find the union of these primes.

2 : 2

4 : 2,2

Therefore, the LCD is 2×2=4

8. Make the denominators the same as the LCD

57×2)/(2×2) − 49/4

9. Simplify - Denominators are now the same

114/4 − 49/4

10. Join the denominators

(114−49)/4

11. Simplify

65/4

12. Convert to mixed fraction

16 1/4

11.

If a spring is stretched 5 cm with a force of 25 kg, how far, in centimeters, will the spring stretch if the force is increased to 45 kg?

  • 9 cm

  • 5 cm

  • 10 cm

  • 12 cm

Correct answer: 9 cm

In order to find the extension of the spring, use Hooke's Law: force equals the extension of the spring times a constant (F = dk). 

25 = 5k

k = 5

If the force is increased, and if k remains constant, then 45 = d x 5, or d = 9 cm.

12.

Read the passage, and then answer the following question.

The title of this poem is "The Road Not Taken." Other than a road that the narrator decides not to take, to which of the following could this poem be referring?

  • Lost opportunities

  • Loss of control

  • Isolation from society

  • Friendship

Correct answer: Lost opportunities

In this poem, the speaker makes a choice about which path to follow: the one that is worn or the one less commonly trod. The speaker is reflecting on his life choices and how they will affect the rest of his life.

13.

Solve the equation:

4x - 5 = 15

  • x = 5

  • x = 4

  • x = 6

  • x = 2

Correct answer: x = 5

Solve the equation 4x - 5 = 15

Add 5 on both sides of the equation.

4x - 5 + 5 = 15 + 5

4x = 20

x = 5

14.

When referring to a chemical reaction, what does equilibrium mean?

  • Reactants are forming products at the same rate that products are forming reactants

  • All reactants are used up, leaving only products

  • The catalyst has been exhausted, stopping the reaction

  • The reaction has been completed

Correct answer: Reactants are forming products at the same rate that products are forming reactants

Equilibrium is reached when reactants and products are forming at an equal rate. The reactants are creating as many products as the products are creating reactants. The reaction will not complete while the elements are at equilibrium.

15.

A tank has a capacity of 25 cubic meters. Given that one thousand liters is equivalent to one cubic meter, what is the quantity of water in the tank in liters if the tank is half full?

  • 12,500 liters

  • 16,667 liters

  • 6,000 liters

  • 25,000 liters

Correct answer: 12,500 liters

1 cubic meter = 1,000 liters

25 cubic meters = 1,000 × 25 = 25,000 liters

Since the tank is half full, the quantity of the water in the tank is:

25,000 liters ÷ 2 = 12,500 liters

16.

Place the following list of numbers in order, from least to greatest.

1.67, -3/8, 5/2, -0.75, 1.03

  • -0.75, -3/8, 1.03, 1.67, 5/2

  • -3/8, -0.75, 5/2, 1.03, 1.67

  • -3/8, -0.75, 1.03, 5/2, 1.67

  • -0.75, -3/8, 5/2, 1.03, 1.67

Correct answer: -0.75, -3/8, 1.03, 1.67, 5/2

In order to place the numbers in order, it is best to convert the fractions to decimals.

-3/8 = -0.375

5/2 = 2.5

Now, you can place the numbers in order, remembering that -0.375 is greater than -0.75.

-0.75, -0.375, 1.03, 1.67, 2.5, or -0.75, -3/8, 1.03, 1.67, 5/2

17.

Which of the following correctly represents the equation used for Newton’s second law of motion?

  • Force = Mass x Acceleration

  • Mass = Force x Acceleration

  • Acceleration = Mass x Force

  • Force = Acceleration / Mass

Correct answer: Force = Mass x Acceleration

Newton’s second law of motion states that when a force acts on an object, the force will equal the mass times the acceleration.

18.

Brady can grade 5 essays per hour. If he starts grading essays at 4:30 p.m., which of the following is the best estimate as to when he will be finished grading 29 essays?

  • 10:30 p.m.

  • 9:30 p.m.

  • 10:00 p.m.

  • 11:00 p.m.

Correct answer: 10:30 p.m. 

Since Brady can grade 5 essays in 1 hour, set up a proportion to find out how long it will take him to grade 29 essays.

5/1 = 29/x

5x = 29

x = 29/5 = 5 4/5

The question asks for an estimate, so we can round up 5 4/5 to 6 hours.

Add 6 hours to 4:30 p.m. to get 10:30 p.m.

19.

Select the number that matches the written value: four hundred and twenty-five thousandths.

  • 400.025

  • 0.425

  • 425,000

  • 4025

Correct answer: 400.025

The word and is used to represent a decimal. As such, the correct answer is 400.025, not 0.425. 

To represent 0.425, the question would ask for four hundred twenty-five thousandths. 425,000 reads four hundred twenty-five thousand, and 4025 reads four thousand twenty-five.

20.

Read the passage, and then answer the following question.

Which of the following was meant to make it easier for African-Americans to vote?

  • Voting Rights Act

  • Civil Rights Act

  • Plessy v. Ferguson

  • Emancipation Proclamation

Correct answer: Voting Rights Act

The aim of the Voting Rights Act was to overcome the legal barriers at the state and local levels. 

The Emancipation Proclamation did free the slaves; however, their freedom did not come with equal rights. The Civil Rights Act was put into action to end discrimination; however, it did not remove all legal barriers. Plessy v. Ferguson also did not explicitly address voting rights.