Simone Lawson
In Illinois, students are required to pass a constitution exam to complete their high school requirements and obtain their diplomas. The test is also a requirement for anyone seeking to obtain a high school equivalency certificate or diploma. Failing the Illinois Constitution Test means not receiving your high school diploma or certificate, which can impact your future educational and career prospects. However, it is important to note that there are alternative paths to obtaining a diploma or certificate, such as through the GED® exam. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a suspension of the constitution test requirement between February 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022, and certain waivers may apply.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Requirement for Illinois High School Equivalency Certificate | Pass the U.S. and Illinois State Constitution and Flag Test (Constitution Test) |
| Age requirement | 18 years old; 17 with a withdrawal letter; 16 with parental consent and enrolment in specific programs |
| Test format | Watch videos and answer questions about each lesson; multiple attempts allowed |
| Preparation | Not required but recommended through lessons and official practice tests |
| Test fee | $36 per subject |
| Test location | Online or at Illinois Regional Offices of Education and local adult education programs |
| Test duration | Estimated 2 hours |
| Certificate | Available for print or download upon completion |
| Waiver | During the pandemic, candidates who passed the GED® exam before June 30, 2022, were exempt |
| Previous test completion | Candidates who passed the previous Constitution Test or demonstrated high school passing are exempt from the new online Constitution Module |
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What You'll Learn
No high school diploma
If you do not have a high school diploma and are seeking to obtain an Illinois High School Equivalency (ILHSE) Certificate, you will need to take a high school equivalency exam (such as the GED®, HiSET®, or TASC™ tests).
Historically, candidates were also required to take and pass the U.S. and Illinois State Constitution and Flag Test ("Constitution Test") to earn their high school equivalency certificate. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) suspended the Constitution Test requirement between February 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022. During this period, individuals who completed and passed an ICCB-approved high school equivalency exam were eligible to receive their State of Illinois High School Diploma or ILHSE Certificate without needing to pass the Constitution Test.
As of July 1, 2022, the Constitution requirement for awarding the State of Illinois High School Diploma was reinstated. However, instead of the Constitution Test, candidates are now required to complete the online Illinois Constitution Module. This module is available for free at http://ilconstitution.org/ and is estimated to take about two hours to complete. It can be taken independently without the need for proctoring at a testing center. After completing the module, individuals will be asked to provide personal information to match their completion with HSE records in the Illinois High School Equivalency Portal. They will also be able to print or download a certificate showing their completion.
It is important to note that the GED® test in Illinois has specific requirements, such as age restrictions and residency requirements. Additionally, there may be costs associated with taking the GED® test, and you may need to provide proof of withdrawal from your last school if you are underage.
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No Illinois High School Equivalency Certificate
In the state of Illinois, students are required to pass a constitution exam to complete their high school requirements. Candidates aiming to earn an Illinois High School Equivalency Certificate were historically required to take and pass the U.S. and Illinois State Constitution and Flag Test, in addition to completing a high school equivalency exam. However, due to the pandemic, there was a suspension of the Constitution Test requirement between February 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022. During this period, anyone who completed and passed a high school equivalency exam but did not pass the constitution test will be issued an Illinois High School Equivalency Certificate or a State of Illinois Diploma upon request, without needing to fulfill the Constitution requirement.
As of July 1, 2022, a new online Constitution Module has been introduced for students to complete the constitution requirement. This module is available for free at http://ilconstitution.org/ and can be completed independently without the need for proctoring at a testing center. It is estimated to take around two hours to complete. After finishing the module, individuals will be asked to provide personal information to match their completion with HSE records in the Illinois High School Equivalency Portal. They will also be able to print or download a certificate showing their completion.
It is important to note that the previous Constitution Test is no longer offered at testing centers. However, students who completed the previous test or can demonstrate passing it in high school are exempt from taking the new Constitution Module. Additionally, candidates under the age of 18 are required to obtain permission from their parents and local school board before taking the GED test.
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No State of Illinois Diploma
If you fail the Illinois Constitution Test, you will not receive a State of Illinois High School Diploma. To earn this diploma, candidates are required to take and pass the U.S. and Illinois State Constitution and Flag Test, in addition to completing a high school equivalency exam (such as the GED®, HiSET®, or TASC™) or a transcript-based Alternative Method of Credentialing.
However, there are certain circumstances in which exceptions are made. Due to the pandemic, candidates who completed and passed all sections of their GED® exam prior to June 30, 2022, are eligible to receive their Illinois High School Diploma without needing to pass the Constitution Test. Additionally, anyone who completed and passed a high school equivalency exam but did not pass the constitution test before February 1, 2021, will be issued a State of Illinois Diploma upon request, without needing to complete the Constitution requirement.
It is important to note that the Illinois Constitution Test has transitioned to an online module format, available at http://ilconstitution.org/. This module is estimated to take two hours to complete and can be taken independently without the need for proctoring at a testing center. After completion, individuals will be asked to provide personal information to match their completion with HSE records in the Illinois High School Equivalency Portal. They will also be able to print or download a certificate showing their completion.
If you are seeking to obtain a State of Illinois High School Diploma, it is recommended that you contact the Regional Office of Education for the county where you took your high school equivalency exam. You may also direct specific questions to the ICCB at iccb.hse@illinois.gov.
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GED® test pass is void
In Illinois, candidates who completed and passed the GED® exam prior to June 30, 2022, are eligible to receive their Illinois High School Diploma without needing to pass the constitution test. This waiver was a pandemic measure.
If you completed and passed the GED® exam but did not pass the constitution test before February 1, 2021, you will be issued an Illinois High School Equivalency (ILHSE) Certificate upon request without needing to complete the constitution test.
To receive your GED® test pass, you must be 18 years old. If you are 17, you can take the test if you provide a withdrawal letter from your last school. If you are 16, you will need permission from your parents and local school board to take the test. Additionally, you must be enrolled in a Regional Safe Schools Program, an Alternative Learning Opportunities Program, or the Lincoln's Challenge Academy, and these programs must petition on your behalf.
If you fail the Illinois Constitution Test, you will not receive an equivalency credential. Instead, you will receive a standard high school diploma from the state once you have passed. The test is free of charge and can be found at Illinois Regional Offices of Education and local adult education programs. It is highly recommended that you take classes to prepare for the test.
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No alternative credential
If you fail the Illinois Constitution Test, you will not receive an equivalency credential. Instead, you will need to retake the test to receive a standard high school diploma from the state.
The Illinois Constitution Test is a requirement for anyone seeking to obtain their high school equivalency certificate or diploma in the state of Illinois. The test is designed to assess an individual's knowledge of the U.S. and Illinois State Constitutions, as well as the state flag. Historically, the test was administered in person at testing centres. However, due to the pandemic, the test format has changed.
As of July 1, 2022, the Illinois Constitution Module, an online module available at http://ilconstitution.org/, replaced the previous Constitution Test. The new module is estimated to take two hours to complete and can be taken independently without the need for proctoring at a testing centre. The module consists of watching videos and answering questions about each lesson, with multiple attempts allowed to get the correct answer.
It is important to note that there are specific requirements to take the GED® test in Illinois. Individuals must be at least 18 years old, although 17-year-olds can take the test with a withdrawal letter from their last school. Additionally, 16-year-olds may be eligible under certain circumstances with parental and local school board permission.
If you have completed and passed a high school equivalency exam (such as the GED®, HiSET®, or TASC™) but did not pass the constitution test prior to February 1, 2021, you can request an Illinois High School Equivalency Certificate or a State of Illinois Diploma without needing to complete the constitution requirement. To obtain official transcripts or the diploma, you must contact the Regional Office of Education for the county where the test was taken.
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Frequently asked questions
Failing the Illinois Constitution Test means that you will not receive your high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate. You can retake the test, and there are lessons and practice tests available to help you prepare.
While it is not a requirement to take classes before the test, it is highly recommended. These lessons will cover the material that will be on the exam and prepare you for the official practice test.
Yes, the Illinois Constitution Test is a requirement for receiving your high school equivalency certificate. However, if you completed and passed your high school equivalency exam before February 1, 2021, you can request an Illinois High School Equivalency Certificate without needing to complete the Constitution requirement.
You can register for the test at https://ilconstitution.org/. Here, you will also find the module for the test, which you can complete independently without needing to go to a testing center.
You must be 18 years old to take the test. If you are 17, you can take the test with a withdrawal letter from your last school. If you are 16, you will need permission from your parents and local school board, and you must be enrolled in certain programs for your petition to be approved.
