2027 Essential Education GED & HiSET Learner Report
Original Research on Who Today's Adult Learners Are, How They Prepare, and What Comes Next
Every year, thousands of adults begin preparing for the GED or HiSET exams. But what do we really know about the people behind those enrollments? Why are they returning to education? What challenges are they facing? And what are they hoping to accomplish once they earn their credentials?
For some, the goal is a better job or a new career. Others want to attend college, enter a career training program, improve their financial situation, or finally accomplish something they've wanted to do for years.
Just as their reasons for returning to education differ, so do their experiences. Some adults begin preparing shortly after leaving high school, while others haven't stepped into a classroom in decades. Many are balancing their studies with jobs, family responsibilities, and the demands of everyday life.
The 2027 Essential Education GED & HiSET Learner Report presents original research based on aggregated learner data from Essential Education's GED Academy and HiSET Academy programs, along with survey responses from current and prospective adult learners. The report explores learners' educational experiences, motivations, challenges, preparation needs, and future goals, providing a closer look at the adults working toward earning their GED or HiSET.
This is the first edition of an annual research report designed to provide educators, workforce organizations, and others supporting adult learners with a better understanding of the people pursuing high school equivalency credentials.
| 71% At the beginning of preparation Among 93,888 learner responses, 70.8% indicated they had not started studying or had studied only a little toward earning their GED or HiSET credential. |
55% Seeking better employment Among 74,733 learner responses, 55.1% identified getting a better job as one of their reasons for pursuing a high school equivalency credential. |
| 47% Concerned about time away from school Among 92,118 learner responses, 46.9% identified having been out of school for a long time as their biggest challenge in preparing for a GED or HiSET credential. |
67% Expect math to require the most preparation Among 602 survey records, 66.8% identified mathematics as the subject they expected would require the most preparation before taking their GED or HiSET exam. |
| 44% Want a practice or placement test Among 602 survey records, 44.4% selected a practice or placement test as something that would help them understand their current skills and feel more prepared to begin studying. |
62% Ready for their next step Among 602 survey records, 61.8% hoped to begin their next education or career step immediately or within three months of earning their GED or HiSET credential. |
These findings show that preparing for a high school equivalency credential involves more than academic instruction. Learners bring different educational histories, responsibilities, levels of confidence, and goals for the future.
By better understanding these experiences, we can make more informed decisions about how to support learners, improve instruction, and help more adults succeed.
Table of Contents
- Who Is Today's High School Equivalency Learner?
- Where Are Learners When They Begin?
- Why Are Adults Pursuing a GED or HiSET Credential?
- What Challenges Do GED and HiSET Learners Face?
- Confidence and Readiness to Begin
- How Quickly Do Learners Hope to Earn Their Credential?
- How Do GED and HiSET Learners Study?
- What Comes After Earning a GED or HiSET?
- What the Research Means for Adult Education
- About the Research
- About Essential Education
1. Who Is Today's High School Equivalency Learner?
Adults pursuing a GED or HiSET credential come from different educational backgrounds and stages of life.
Some are continuing their education shortly after leaving high school, while others are returning after years or even decades.
Essential Education's research provides a closer look at these differences, including how long learners have been away from school and whether they have attempted to earn their credential before.
How Long Have Learners Been Away From School?
Among 602 survey records, 26.6% indicated they were currently enrolled in school, while another 10.8% had been out of school for less than one year.
However, a substantial portion reported much longer gaps in their education.