The California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) is no longer administered. California replaced it with the California Proficiency Program (CPP), which uses three HiSET subtests in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. Eligible students who meet the current passing requirements earn a California Certificate of Proficiency, the legal equivalent of a California high school diploma.
What Happened to the CHSPE?
The California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) was discontinued on June 30, 2023.
California replaced the CHSPE with the California Proficiency Program (CPP). The current program uses selected subtests from the HiSET examination rather than the old CHSPE Mathematics and English Language Arts sections.
Do not prepare with the old CHSPE blueprint. The former CHSPE question counts, scoring system, test dates, registration process, and $162 exam fee no longer apply. Students preparing now should use current California Proficiency HiSET materials.
If you previously took the CHSPE but did not complete all requirements, your old CHSPE results cannot be combined with current CPP results.
What Is the California Proficiency Program?
The California Proficiency Program gives eligible students a way to demonstrate high-school-level proficiency without completing the traditional high school graduation process.
To earn the Certificate of Proficiency, students currently take three HiSET subtests:
Language Arts – Reading
Language Arts – Writing
HiSET Mathematics
Students who pass all three CPP subtests receive a California Certificate of Proficiency.
The Certificate of Proficiency is legally equivalent to a California high school diploma. It does not, however, mean that you completed all of the coursework normally required for high school graduation. Colleges can still have their own course and admission requirements.
Who Is Eligible for the CPP?
You must satisfy both parts of California’s current eligibility requirements.
1. Age or Grade Requirement
You must meet at least one of the following:
Be at least 16 years old; or
Have been enrolled in grade 10 for at least one school year; or
Be scheduled to complete one school year of grade 10 by the end of the applicable semester.
2. California Compulsory-Education Requirement
You must also currently be subject to California’s compulsory-education laws. This can generally be demonstrated through:
Current enrollment in a California public high school;
Current enrollment in an eligible California private school, including qualifying private-school homeschooling arrangements; or
A qualifying California work permit while receiving tutoring or participating in an eligible independent-study arrangement.
The CPP does not have a separate California residency requirement, but you still must satisfy the compulsory-education eligibility rules above.
CPP Exam Format
| Subtest | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Language Arts – Reading | 50 | 65 minutes* |
| Language Arts – Writing | 60 + essay | 120 minutes |
| Mathematics | 55 | 90 minutes |
*The English Reading test is 65 minutes. The Spanish version allows 80 minutes.
Language Arts – Reading
The Reading subtest contains 50 multiple-choice questions.
The test uses both literary and informational texts:
Questions measure skills such as:
Comprehension
Inference and interpretation
Analysis
Synthesis and generalization
Language Arts – Writing
The Writing subtest contains 60 multiple-choice questions and one essay. You have 120 minutes for the complete subtest.
The multiple-choice portion is divided approximately as follows:
| Content Area | Approximate Weight |
|---|---|
| Organization of Ideas | 22% |
| Language Facility | 43% |
| Writing Conventions | 35% |
You may need to identify improvements involving organization, transitions, word choice, clarity, sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling.
The Essay
The Writing subtest also includes an evidence-based essay. You are given source material presenting different perspectives on an issue and must develop a position or claim supported with evidence.
The essay is evaluated in areas including:
Development of a central position or claim
Organization of ideas
Language facility
Writing conventions
Mathematics
The Mathematics subtest contains 55 multiple-choice questions and has a 90-minute time limit.
| Content Area | Approximate Weight |
|---|---|
| Numbers and Operations on Numbers | 19% |
| Measurement and Geometry | 18% |
| Data Analysis, Probability, and Statistics | 18% |
| Algebraic Concepts | 45% |
The test emphasizes both mathematical procedures and problem solving. Questions can involve practical situations requiring numerical operations, estimation, algebra, measurement, geometry, data interpretation, probability, and statistics.
Can I Use a Calculator?
HiSET Mathematics is considered calculator-neutral. A calculator is not required, but testing centers can provide access to an approved four-function or scientific calculator when requested.
You may not bring your own calculator into a testing center for the HiSET exam.
What Scores Do I Need to Pass?
The California Proficiency Program uses a higher passing standard than the ordinary HiSET high school equivalency exam.
| Requirement | CPP Standard |
|---|---|
| Reading scaled score | 15 out of 20 |
| Writing scaled score | 15 out of 20 |
| Mathematics scaled score | 15 out of 20 |
| Writing essay | 4 out of 6 |
| Combined scaled score | 45 out of 60 |
Do not use the standard HiSET equivalency passing scores when preparing for CPP. California’s proficiency program requires the higher scores shown above.
How Do I Register?
1. Create a California myHiSET Proficiency account.
Use the California Proficiency registration system rather than the standard HiSET high school equivalency registration path.
2. Request accommodations if needed.
Most testing accommodations require approval before the exam is scheduled.
3. Submit your CPP eligibility application.
Upload the required application information and a current high school transcript through your myHiSET Proficiency account.
4. Wait for eligibility approval.
HiSET states that reviews can take up to seven business days and may take longer during busy periods.
5. Schedule your subtests.
After eligibility and any accommodations are approved, choose your test dates and testing format.
Transcript Requirements
Your transcript must be current and show information needed to establish your eligibility, including your name, date of birth, current enrollment, grade-level information, and school.
Students in private-school, homeschool, or California work-permit situations may need additional documentation.
Where Can I Take the CPP?
The California Proficiency Program offers several testing options.
Computer-based testing at an approved testing center.
Available at selected testing centers.
Online testing with live remote proctoring.
The CPP is currently offered in English and Spanish.
How Much Does the California Proficiency Test Cost?
California HiSET Proficiency fees increased in 2026.
| Testing Format | Per Subtest | 3 Subtests |
|---|---|---|
| Paper at Test Center | $158 | $474 |
| Computer at Test Center | $158 | $474 |
| At-Home Remote Proctoring | $167 | $501 |
These totals assume that you pass each subtest without a retake and complete all three during the applicable period.
Fee Waivers
Qualifying homeless and foster youth may be eligible for a California fee waiver for proficiency testing.
When Will I Get My Scores?
For computer-based testing, Reading and Mathematics scores are generally available within approximately three business days. Writing scores generally take about five business days.
Paper-based results take longer because answer sheets must first be received and processed.
Your scores are available through your myHiSET Proficiency account.
When Will I Receive My Certificate?
After you satisfy all CPP passing requirements, you receive a California Certificate of Proficiency and official transcript.
A passing verification letter is generally sent electronically before the physical documents arrive.
The physical Certificate of Proficiency and official transcript can take approximately four weeks to arrive by mail, so make sure your mailing address in your myHiSET account is correct.
Can I Leave High School After Passing?
Passing the CPP does not automatically remove you from school.
After earning the Certificate of Proficiency, you may:
Remain enrolled in high school; or
Leave high school with a parent or guardian’s permission and pursue higher education, employment, or another path.
Check your college plans before leaving school. A Certificate of Proficiency satisfies California’s legal high-school-diploma equivalency requirement, but colleges can still require specific high school courses, grades, tests, or other admission criteria.
Can I Earn a High School Equivalency Certificate Later?
Yes. The full HiSET high school equivalency exam has five subtests:
Reading
Writing
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
After passing the CPP and leaving high school, you may become eligible to complete the remaining Science and Social Studies HiSET subtests and earn a California High School Equivalency Certificate.
Can I Retake a CPP Subtest?
Yes. California Proficiency candidates may take each individual HiSET subtest up to three times during each six-month testing period.
The two periods are:
Each attempt carries the applicable testing, administration, and test-center or remote-proctoring fees.
How to Prepare for the California Proficiency Program
The old CHSPE study outline is no longer the right target. Prepare for the current HiSET Reading, Writing, and Mathematics subtests and remember that California uses higher proficiency cut scores than the standard HiSET equivalency program.
CPP Study Checklist
Practice reading literary and informational passages and supporting answers with evidence from the text.
Review grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, organization, transitions, and word choice.
Practice writing an organized evidence-based essay with a clear position and specific support.
Review arithmetic, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, and numerical operations.
Spend substantial time on algebra, which represents the largest portion of the Mathematics subtest.
Review geometry, measurement, statistics, probability, and data interpretation.
Take timed HiSET practice tests and aim above the ordinary HiSET passing standard because the California CPP requires 15 out of 20 on each subtest.
CPP and HiSET Study Resources
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