Many times I am asked about tests and testing. Here are some helpful pieces of information that should answer most of those questions.

The 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 anytime 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.

The three most popular standardized tests given in group settings are the Stanford, the Iowa, and the California. In the past, the public schools in Virginia have given a shortened version of the Stanford Test. This does NOT mean that you must give the Stanford. IT IS ONLY ONE OF YOUR OPTIONS. Lets look at all three.

The Stanford 10 Achievement Test is believed by many to be the most rigorous tests of the above mentioned tests. If you really want to know what your child really, really knows – this is the test to order. I believe it is more rigorous for the following reasons: 1) The suggested time restraints are long. For the 3rd grade and up, most of the suggested testing times are about 45 minutes. (The new version is an untimed test with only suggested test times.   It takes at least as long to administer as the Stanford 9 did.) 2) The questions in the Reading Comprehension portion of the test require more inductive reasoning skills. 3) A listening test is given up through the 8th grade. (Most other tests include this only in 1st and 2nd grades.)  4) The math portions seem to take most students much longer than the suggested test times.  However, since it is an untimed test, they may take as long as they need as long as they are working productively.

The most reliable source to order your Stanford 10 Tests is from Bob Jones University Press at www.BJUP.com or 1-800-845-5731. Note that they now require proof of homeschooling.  Proof may be sent to them anytime prior to ordering the tests.  The process is not difficult but you do need to build this into your timeline.  You must have the test sent to the proctor.  They will administer the test and return all materials to BJU.  BJU will send the results to you.  You should allow about 10-12 weeks for test results to be sent to you.   (There are other places where you can get a Stanford but it may be a different version or an older test.) **Note:  I will not administer the Stanford 10 as a group test due to logistics headaches dealing with an untimed test.   I will, however, be happy to suggest proctors for private testing.**

The Iowa Test of Basic Skills is a good middle of the road test with a very good reputation for not being too hard, but not being too easy either. Time limits for the sub-tests range from 9 min. to 30 min. for grades 3-8. Most high school level time limits are 45 min. I have this test on hand and therefore you do not need to order it from BJU.

For high school students taking the Iowa test, I also administer an Interest Explorer.  This is an untimed questionnaire where the students are asked about their interests - some related to academics, some not.  This information is put together with their Iowa results to suggest courses of study in future education.  Also, high school students will receive a predicted range of scores for SAT and ACT with their Iowa Test results.  These predicted scores do not exempt the student from taking the SATs or ACTs.  It is there to just give you an idea of how well your high school student should perform on these tests.

The California Achievement Test (CAT) is considered to be the easiest of these three tests. The version I have on hand is the short. It is the "Survey " test instead of the "Complete Battery." (This is not a problem with any of the local school systems since it complies with requirements of the law.) Since I have this test on hand, again, you do not need to order this test from an outside source.

If you want, you may administer this test yourself.  There are several places that you may order the tests.  Once again, be careful about how old the test is, and be careful about your timeline for ordering, administering, scoring, and receiving the scores.  The copies I own are not for rent, but I can give you name of reputable places where you can order them.

**Parents, please be sure that YOU send test results to the appropriate school system by August 1.   This is your responsibility.  I do not send your results to any school system.**

If you would like a copy of this page please click and download COMPARE TESTS.PDF.

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Copyright © 2004 - 2008 S. Olbris