Time is of the essence for Iowa residents currently working on their high school equivalency diplomas.
The Iowa Department of Education says starting January 2, 2014, it will replace the GED with the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET).
The new test was developed by New Jersey-based ETS.
Iowa Department of Education Spokesperson Staci Hupp says HiSET is more in line with state standards for English language arts and math.
She says it will also be more affordable as the HiSET will cost $50 in 2014 while the GED will cost $120 in that same year.
Iowa residents who started the GED since 2002 will have until mid-December to complete the program.
Those who do not will have to start over with the HiSET.
The new test will be offered at pre-approved locations, primarily local community colleges, or online.
