HiSET®-Test at a Glance (TAAG) - Language Arts-Reading - Test Framework & DOK Levels

Sep 29, 2026

HiSET®-Test at a Glance (TAAG) Information Brief explains the ETS High School Equivalency Test’s purpose and score interpretation for identifying candidates’ college- and career-readiness needs. It outlines the Language Arts-Reading test structure (65 minutes in English, 80 minutes in Spanish), test length, and question format, plus content distribution between literary and informational texts. The document details Depth of Knowledge (DOK) levels and the reading process categories with descriptors used to classify item skills and cognitive demands.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

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Pages5

Reading Time13 min

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HiSET®-Test at a Glance (TAAG) Information Brief

Language Arts-Reading

About This Test

Depth of Knowledge Levels (DOK)

The Test Framework

Reading Process Categories

A. Comprehension

B. Inference and Interpretation

C. Analysis

D. Synthesis and Generalization

# HiSET®-Test at a Glance(TAAG)Information Brief The purpose of the ETS High School Equivalency Test (HiSET)is to certify a candidate's attainment ofacademic knowledge and skills equivalent to those of a high school graduate.HiSET scores will dentify thosecandidates who have performed at a level consistent with high school equivalency.Information from theHiSET program also will help identify areas in which candidates are career and college ready,as well as areas inwhich additional preparation may be needed. Candidates will be tested in five core areas:Language Arts-Reading,Language Arts-Writing,Mathematics,Science,and Social Studies.Descriptions of each of these five tests are contained in this document.TheHiSET°Practice Tests allow candidates to view sample content and item types and provide them with generalinformation about their level of preparation for taking the operational form. Through ongoing validity research,the HiSET program has been connected to college-readiness indicators.Candidate performance relative to these indicators is part of the reporting system for the assessment. The following TAAG sections give a quick overview of each HiSET test and include: ·Test name ·Length of test(Time) ·Number and types of questions(Format) ·Content Categories and approximate percentage of the test ·Process Categories ·Process Category Descriptors ·Depth of Knowledge Levels(DOK)* The emphasis of each category is expressed as the average percentage of the number of questions percategory.This percentage is the approximate average number of questions across the forms on the HiSET exam. # Language Arts-Reading | Test at a Glance | | | --- | --- | | Test Name | Language Arts-Reading | | Time | 65 minutes (English),80 minutes (Spanish) | | Number of Questions | 50 | | Format | Multiple-choice questions | | 60% | Content Categories(Approximate Percentage of Questions) | | | Application of concepts,analysis,synthesis,and
evaluation involving:
I.Literary Texts(40%)
II.Informational Texts(60%) | | | Process Categories | | | A.Comprehension
B.Inference and Interpretation
C.Analysis
D.Synthesis and Generalization | # About This Test The Language Arts-Reading test provides evidence of a candidate's ability to understand,comprehend,interpret,and analyze a variety of reading material.The Language Arts-Reading test forms willinclude40 percent of texts that are literary and 60 percent of texts that are informational.In the ETS HiSETprogram,candidates will be required to read a broad range of high-quality literary and informationaltexts.The selections are presented in multiple genres on subject matter that varies in purpose and style.The selections will span various forms(e.g.,narratives,memoirs,essays,biographical sketches,editorials,and poetry).The texts generally range in length from approximately 400 to 600 words;however thelength typically increases after Spanish translation.This test may contain some questions that will notcount toward your score. ## Depth of Knowledge Levels(DOK) Each test question is assigned a Depth of Knowledge Level (DOK).The levels refer to the cognitivedemand that the test questions require to answer correctly. The DOK are listed below along with a brief explanation or some examples of the DOKperformances. ·Level1-Recall:test takers reflect surface-level understanding of explicit details of the text. ·Level2-Skil/Concept:test takers process text and make inferences to exhibit understandingbeyond surface level. ·Level3-Strategic Thinking:test takers analyze and make meaning beyond the text. ·Level4-Extended Thinking:test takers synthesize information and reveal higher-order thinkingthrough complex reasoning. The examples listed do not cover all the expected behaviors for the DOKlevels. ## The Test Framework The Language Arts-Reading test framework is organized into broad areas of content,calledContent Categorie

FAQs

What is the purpose of the HiSET program and HiSET scores?

The ETS High School Equivalency Test certifies academic knowledge and skills equivalent to those of a high school graduate. HiSET scores identify candidates performing at a level consistent with high school equivalency and support identifying areas for career and college readiness or additional preparation.

How is the Language Arts-Reading test structured?

Language Arts-Reading includes 50 multiple-choice questions, with test time listed as 65 minutes in English and 80 minutes in Spanish. The content mix is approximately 40% literary texts and 60% informational texts.

What do the Depth of Knowledge (DOK) levels mean for test questions?

Each question is assigned a DOK level describing the cognitive demand. Level 1 focuses on recall of explicit details, Level 2 involves skills/concepts and inferences beyond surface level, Level 3 requires strategic thinking and making meaning beyond the text, and Level 4 requires extended thinking through complex reasoning and synthesis.

Sep 29, 2026

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