To be eligible to attend HSE classes, students must be a Missouri resident, 18 years of age or older and not enrolled in secondary school. If under 18 years of age, the student needs a letter from the principal of the last school attended stating the student has withdrawn from high school. The principal should include the last date of attendance and that the student has permission to take the HSE test. Additionally, if the student is 16 years old, the program requires a school transcript with a minimum of 16 completed units of high school credit.

In 2009, the state legislature passed Omnibus Bill 291, changing the Compulsory Age Requirement for school attendance from 16 to 17. As a consequence, the State Board of Education modified the requirements for high school equivalency testing. Seventeen-year-olds who have dropped out of school may take the test. Only 16-year-olds who have successfully completed 16 units of credit toward high school graduation and have written permission from the superintendent or principal of the school last attended reflecting compliance are eligible to test. If home schooled, only those 16-year-olds who have met the requirements of Section 167.031 RSMO for course instruction are eligible. Parents must also give them written permission of the parent or legal guardian indicating compliance.

Instructors begin by evaluating a student’s basic skills with an assessment called Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE). An individualized study plan is developed for each student listing areas of weakness. Students work at their own pace, using books and/or computers, with help from the instructor. When all the objectives on the evaluation are mastered, the student is given a practice HiSet to determine how well they will do on the actual test. It is recommended that students score a minimum of 65 on the practice HiSet before scheduling the actual HiSET.

Students must attend a minimum of 40 hours in class. There is also a a mandatory weekly attendance requirement.