Question 1

What is an H-number?

Accepted Answer

An H-number is a unique, permanent certificate identifier issued by Honest.Education after a college admissions essay is certified as authentically human-written. Any admissions officer can verify it instantly at honest.education/verify — no login required.

Question 2

How do AI detection tools produce false positives on honest student essays?

Accepted Answer

AI detection tools used in college admissions have documented false positive rates as high as 30%. Non-native English speakers and students who write in structured, careful prose are disproportionately flagged. Honest.Education's H-number provides independent, portable proof of human authorship.

Question 3

How much does essay certification cost?

Accepted Answer

Honest.Education charges a one-time fee of $399 per essay. The H-number issued is permanent and covers every college application the student submits.

Question 4

Who oversees the Honest.Education certification standard?

Accepted Answer

The certification standard is overseen by Dr. Lisa McGrady, PhD, an independent academic authority. The process is built on the Humanable certification methodology — not an AI company product.

Sign in to certify an essay