California Proficiency Exam HiSET High School Equivalency Exam
Questions And Correct Answers 2026.
1. What is the value of ( x ) in the equation ( 3x - 7 = 11 )?
A. 4
B. 5
C. 6
D. 7
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Solving the equation: 3x − 7 = 11 → 3x = 18 → x = 6.
Other options result from incorrect arithmetic.
2. Which of the following is an example of a primary source?
A. A history textbook
B. A newspaper editorial
C. A diary written during an event
D. A biography
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A diary written during an event is a firsthand account,
making it a primary source. Others interpret or analyze events.
3. What is the slope of the line passing through points (2, 3) and (6, 11)?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Slope = (11 − 3) / (6 − 2) = = 2. Other answers come
from calculation errors.
4. Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A. She don’t like apples.
B. She doesn’t likes apples.
C. She doesn’t like apples.
D. She don’t likes apples.
Correct Answer: C
, Explanation: Subject-verb agreement requires “doesn’t like.” Other
options misuse verb forms.
5. What is the main function of the mitochondria in a cell?
A. Protein synthesis
B. Energy production
C. Waste removal
D. DNA storage
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Mitochondria generate ATP (energy). Other options
correspond to different cell structures.
6. Which number is irrational?
A. 0.75
B. √2
C. 5
D. -3
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: √2 cannot be expressed as a fraction. Others are rational
numbers.
7. What is the theme of a literary work?
A. The sequence of events
B. The main idea or message
C. The setting
D. The conflict
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Theme is the underlying message. Other options describe
story elements.
8. What is 15% of 200?
A. 25
B. 30
C. 35
D. 40
Correct Answer: B
, Explanation: 15% of 200 = 0.15 × 200 = 30. Other answers result from
incorrect multiplication.
9. Which branch of government makes laws?
A. Executive
B. Judicial
C. Legislative
D. Administrative
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The legislative branch creates laws. Others enforce or
interpret them.
10.What is the chemical symbol for sodium?
A. So
B. Na
C. Sd
D. Sn
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Sodium’s symbol is Na (from Latin “natrium”). Others are
incorrect.
11.Which sentence contains a metaphor?
A. He runs fast.
B. She is like a lion.
C. He is a rock.
D. They walked slowly.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: “He is a rock” directly compares without “like” or “as,”
making it a metaphor.
12.Solve: ( 2(x + 3) = 14 )
A. 4
B. 5
C. 6
D. 7
Correct Answer: A
, Explanation: 2(x+3)=14 → x+3=7 → x=4. Other answers come from
incorrect steps.
13.Which is an example of renewable energy?
A. Coal
B. Oil
C. Solar
D. Natural gas
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Solar energy is renewable. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable.
14.What is the antonym of “abundant”?
A. Plentiful
B. Scarce
C. Large
D. Full
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: “Scarce” means limited, the opposite of abundant.
15.What is the perimeter of a rectangle with length 8 and width 5?
A. 13
B. 26
C. 40
D. 20
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Perimeter = 2(8+5) = 26. Other answers are incorrect
calculations.
16.Which part of speech is the word “quickly”?
A. Noun
B. Verb
C. Adjective
D. Adverb
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: “Quickly” modifies a verb, making it an adverb.
Questions And Correct Answers 2026.
1. What is the value of ( x ) in the equation ( 3x - 7 = 11 )?
A. 4
B. 5
C. 6
D. 7
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Solving the equation: 3x − 7 = 11 → 3x = 18 → x = 6.
Other options result from incorrect arithmetic.
2. Which of the following is an example of a primary source?
A. A history textbook
B. A newspaper editorial
C. A diary written during an event
D. A biography
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A diary written during an event is a firsthand account,
making it a primary source. Others interpret or analyze events.
3. What is the slope of the line passing through points (2, 3) and (6, 11)?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Slope = (11 − 3) / (6 − 2) = = 2. Other answers come
from calculation errors.
4. Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A. She don’t like apples.
B. She doesn’t likes apples.
C. She doesn’t like apples.
D. She don’t likes apples.
Correct Answer: C
, Explanation: Subject-verb agreement requires “doesn’t like.” Other
options misuse verb forms.
5. What is the main function of the mitochondria in a cell?
A. Protein synthesis
B. Energy production
C. Waste removal
D. DNA storage
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Mitochondria generate ATP (energy). Other options
correspond to different cell structures.
6. Which number is irrational?
A. 0.75
B. √2
C. 5
D. -3
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: √2 cannot be expressed as a fraction. Others are rational
numbers.
7. What is the theme of a literary work?
A. The sequence of events
B. The main idea or message
C. The setting
D. The conflict
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Theme is the underlying message. Other options describe
story elements.
8. What is 15% of 200?
A. 25
B. 30
C. 35
D. 40
Correct Answer: B
, Explanation: 15% of 200 = 0.15 × 200 = 30. Other answers result from
incorrect multiplication.
9. Which branch of government makes laws?
A. Executive
B. Judicial
C. Legislative
D. Administrative
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The legislative branch creates laws. Others enforce or
interpret them.
10.What is the chemical symbol for sodium?
A. So
B. Na
C. Sd
D. Sn
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Sodium’s symbol is Na (from Latin “natrium”). Others are
incorrect.
11.Which sentence contains a metaphor?
A. He runs fast.
B. She is like a lion.
C. He is a rock.
D. They walked slowly.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: “He is a rock” directly compares without “like” or “as,”
making it a metaphor.
12.Solve: ( 2(x + 3) = 14 )
A. 4
B. 5
C. 6
D. 7
Correct Answer: A
, Explanation: 2(x+3)=14 → x+3=7 → x=4. Other answers come from
incorrect steps.
13.Which is an example of renewable energy?
A. Coal
B. Oil
C. Solar
D. Natural gas
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Solar energy is renewable. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable.
14.What is the antonym of “abundant”?
A. Plentiful
B. Scarce
C. Large
D. Full
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: “Scarce” means limited, the opposite of abundant.
15.What is the perimeter of a rectangle with length 8 and width 5?
A. 13
B. 26
C. 40
D. 20
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Perimeter = 2(8+5) = 26. Other answers are incorrect
calculations.
16.Which part of speech is the word “quickly”?
A. Noun
B. Verb
C. Adjective
D. Adverb
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: “Quickly” modifies a verb, making it an adverb.