Many times I am asked about tests and testing. Here are some helpful pieces of information that should answer most of those questions. Since most of my testing clientele is done in VA, this information is written particularly with them in mind. Check your state homeschool laws to be sure about the requirements where you live.
The VA law says that registered homeschoolers must be tested or assessed for progress for that school year. Your child may be tested in a group, tested privately using a standardized test, or your child may be evaluated. Testing may be done any time in the spring or summer as long as the results are turned in to the appropriate school system by Aug. 1 each year. Be sure to allow enough time for the tests to be ordered, administered, and the results to be returned to you and then to the school system (at least 8 weeks). The type of test is to be determined by the parent, not the public schools.
If you do not live in Virginia, you can find out what your State’s law is at HSLDA.
Be careful about test norms. Different distributors offer different norm dates.
***The following are not offered by The Testing Lady***
The Iowa Test of Basic Skills – (ITBS) Offered by The Testing Lady
The Iowa Test of Basic Skills is a solid test. It is a timed “bubble” test and takes 2-3 days to administer. This test can be given to grades K-12. Form E is the newest normed test (2017). Form E is the newest normed test (2017). The popular Form A is getting old. Either one can be coupled with a cognitive test called the CogAT. The CogAT can be ordered through BJU or Seaton Home Study. BJU and HEAV are also offering the Iowa without the CogAT online.
California Achievement Test or TerraNova
The CAT-6/TerraNova is a solid test but the norms are getting old. It is a timed “bubble” test and is becoming popular. The Complete Battery takes about 6 hours, which should be divided into 2-3 days and can be administered to grades K-12. There is also a survey version of the test which can be administered in one setting but the norms are VERY old.
The Stanford Achievement Test – (SAT – not to be confused with the Scholastic Achievement Test)
The Stanford 10 is the newest Stanford Test. The test now has new norms (2018) and will be tougher to score well because more private schools were used in the new norms. In the past it was mostly public school scores that were used for norming. It is still an untimed test.
Other
There are many other “bubble” tests that may be used to test academic achievement. They may be given as a group test or given individually. Virginia is now accepting the ACT’s and SAT’s (college entrance exams), and CLT’s (college entrance exams) as end of year testing. Only approved test sites may offer these tests. Go to www.collegeboard.com or www.cltexam.com for more information.
**Parents, please be sure that YOU send test results to the appropriate school system by the state’s deadline. This is your responsibility. I do not send your results to any school system.**