The St Joseph School District is hosting information sessions this week to help out students interested in taking the high school equivalency test. Missouri’s new program goes into effect in January.

Missouri’s new test will be the HiSET test developed by Educational Testing Service.

There will be several changes involved in the switch.

Hillyard Technical Center will be the HiSET testing center, and will offer evening testing. Registration will be online through Educational Testing Service. Additionally, the test now will be computer-based.

The cost of the new test will be $95, which includes a $60 registration fee for the cost of the test and $7 for each of the five test sections to cover the costs of administering the test. Because examinees do not have to complete the entire test at one time, they can take the test in sections.

The $60 registration fee will allow individuals to test three times during a 12-month period. Examinees who do not pass the test the first time can retake the entire test or any of the test sections two more times within the 12-month period by paying an additional $7-per-section fee.

Students have the option of taking classes at Webster Learning Center to help them prepare for the HiSET test. “We can make sure students are ready before paying the $95 to take the test,” said Betty Wymore, Webster Director, “We can also help with test anxiety, test-taking skills and computer skills, to help students feel comfortable so that they can perform well on the test.”

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education chose the new test as a result of changes to the GED® starting in 2014. The American Council on Education GED Testing Services (GEDTS) and Pearson announced plans to create a for-profit organization to develop a new computer-based high school equivalency test to replace the current GED® test in January 2014, which would cost $120, not including any state administrative fees.

Information sessions will be at Webster Learning Center, 1211 n. 18th St, Room 6, on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 9 a.m, 11 a.m, 2 p.m, and 6 p.m and on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m

Information sessions are for any person interested in receiving high school equivalency, and will discuss HiSET requirements and changes. Interested persons should call (816) 671-4020.