Testing

**TESTING MAY OR MAY NOT BE REQUIRED BY YOUR STATE, BUT IT WILL BE NECESSARY FOR COLLEGE BOUND AND CAREER BOUND STUDENTS, SO FAITHFUL SCHOLARS RECOMMENDS PRACTICING THIS LIFE SKILL EVERY FEW YEARS 2-6TH GRADES AND ANNUALLY 7-12TH GRADES.**

YOUR STATE TESTING REQUIREMENTS

TESTS FOR GRADES 8-12

TESTS FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS:

Elementary/Middle School  We find it is a wonderful relief to nurture our children’s souls towards  thinking rationally and logically while being able to approach testing ‘stress-free’ due to either its lack of necessity at this point or the freedom to test from within our homes.  Our children avoid the status of being a measured product.

CATThe California Achievement Test  One of the most widely used student assessment tests for basic academic skills. The CAT provides you with a measure of achievement and national comparison in reading, language, spelling, and mathematics.  You can take the test at home Timed or UnTimed or On Line

  • Testing is available any time of the year
  • Results are returned promptly
  • Everything you need is included: booklets, student response sheets, and clear directions.
  • Nationally normed and is accepted in most states for homeschool use and reporting.
    • A few states do require homeschool students to be tested by a certified teacher, or with a newer or specific test. Check your state requirements

Iowa Achievement Test evaluates basic skills in reading comprehension, word analysis, vocabulary, math, language, spelling social studies/science and listening skills.

  • Offered at various times throughout the year.
  • Register a month prior to testing.
  • Must test at an official test site or be qualified and pre-registered to administer the test.
  • Time: 2 hours 30 minutes – 5 hours 30 minutes over 3 days according to grade/level

Stanford Achievement Test is used to measure academic knowledge of K through 12th-grade students to include narrative summaries, process and cluster summaries, and graphic displays to clarify the student’s performance. I.E. it evaluates a student’s word study skills, reading and comprehension level, vocabulary, math, language, spelling, social studies/science and listening. It is comparable to the Iowa Achievement Test.

  • Offered at various times throughout the year
  • Administrators obtain critical data to document and monitor the progress of children.
  • The Stanford 10 is one of the few tests in the United States which continues to use stanines to report scores.
  • The Stanford Achievement Test is not to be confused with the SAT college admission test published by the College Board in the United States.
  • Available on line through Seton Testing
  • See Middle School section (just below) for more details on the SAT 10.

Woodcock-Johnson Test offer a variety of options with the W-J IV being the most popular.

  • The W-J IV emphasizes the identification of strengths and weaknesses in cognitive abilities, achievement, and oral language
  • Comprehensive system, flexibility examiners
  • Best option for special needs students
  • Great at evaluating students with learning problems
  • Aides in creating plans to improve instructional outcomes for special needs
  • In home setting
  • Great explanation
  • A great use for FaceBook is to assist in locating a local WJ test administrator!

TESTS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS:

Most individuals will need to test for college, trade school, or career advances. Standardized test taking has become a necessary life skill.

Iowa Achievement Test evaluates reading comprehension, word analysis, vocabulary, math, language, spelling social studies/science and listening skills.

  • Offered at various times throughout the year
  • Register one month prior to testing
  • Must test at an official test site or preregister as a qualified test administrator
  • Time: 5 hours over 2 days

Stanford Test evaluates a student’s word study skills, reading and comprehension level, vocabulary, math, language, spelling, social studies/science and listening. It is comparable to the Iowa Achievement Test.

  • Offered at various times throughout the year.
  • Register one month prior to testing.
  • Must test at an official test site or be preregister as a qualified test administrator
  • Time: 4 hours over 2 days

PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Test) provides practice for high school sophomores and juniors preparing for the SAT I and qualifies students for the National Merit Scholarships. .  PSAT tests critical thinking skills in the areas of verbal, writing, and math.

  • Offered at various times according to the public and private schools in our area.  Please check with schools by the end of August or the first part of September.  It is at a school’s discretion as to whether they allow homeschool students to participate.
  • Practice beginning 8th grade
  • Junior year is the one that counts!
  • Top 1% of SC Juniors move on as Semifinalist.  Read more…
  • The Homeschool Code is available through College Board.  994199
  • Bring on test day
  •  Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

SAT I (Scholastic Assessment Test) is a college aptitude test used by colleges to gauge a student’s verbal, writing, math and critical thinking skills.

SAT II Subject Tests  (Scholastic Assessment Test) measures aptitude in twenty subject areas such as math, Latin, history, etc. SAT II tests are often used to verify a homeschooled high school students transcripts and can increase possible college acceptance.

ACT (American College Testing) is a college aptitude test measuring proficiency in English, math, reading and science. 

  • 6 tests offered per year.
  • Register one month prior to testing.
  • Must test at an official ACT test site. Bring a picture ID when testing.
  • Homeschool Code: 969999
  • Bring on test day
  • Time: 3 hours (30 minutes additional for the writing section)

AP (Advanced Placement) exams are geared toward students who take AP courses, however they can be taken by any student in any area at any time. GPA bump for AP courses will not be earned unless the course and instructor are approved by College Boards, however, college credit may be awarded by colleges if any student taking any course passes an AP exam.  These credits look great on transcripts and are widely accepted by colleges.

  • Register through the College Board.
  • Must test at a public high school assigned by the College Board. Contact local schools to see if they will allow your student and offer the AP exam for the subject needed.  It is best to contact schools mid-January to early-February.
  • Homeschool code for students taking AP exam at a different school than their own in SC is 994199. Students will enter this code on Section 6a of the answer sheet.
  • AP Codes
  • Bring on test day.
  • Time: 2 hours

CLEP (College Level Examination Program) exams are used to prove adequate independent education in college subject areas in order to gain college credit for such courses while being exempted from the semester-long class(es).  Over thirty CLEP exams are available and some test for a full year’s knowledge and credit of academic material.