Standardized testing is a topic that often sparks debate among homeschool families. While some states require testing as part of their homeschool regulations, others leave it up to parental discretion. Disclaimer: we live in New York, which does require standardized tests every other year starting in 5th grade. Whether you’re preparing for a required test or simply considering it as a way to assess your child’s progress, standardized testing can be a useful tool when approached with the right mindset. I actually did test both of my kiddos prior to the required grade because I wanted them to get “the feel” of a standardized test and I wanted to see where they placed on the tests.
Why Consider Standardized Testing for Homeschoolers?
Standardized tests offer a way to measure academic progress and compare a child’s performance to national or state benchmarks. I generally do not support the idea of standardized testing. I think it is much too broad a test to truly compare each child from school to school, town to town, state to state, etc. Full disclosure, I classify myself as a “poor test taker.” Despite my hard work during the school year (when I was a student) and the skills I was able to perform, I somehow was unable to transfer or reflect that on a standardized test. BUT, despite that, there are some positives or key reasons homeschoolers might choose to participate in standardized testing:
1. Meeting State Requirements
Many states require periodic standardized testing for homeschoolers to ensure academic progress. Understanding your state’s homeschool laws can help you determine if testing is mandatory and how to comply with regulations.
2. Evaluating Academic Progress
Even if not required, testing can provide insight into a child’s strengths and weaknesses. It offers parents an objective measure of their child’s progress and helps identify areas that may need additional focus.
3. Preparing for College Entrance Exams
For older students, familiarity with standardized tests can be beneficial when preparing for college entrance exams like the SAT or ACT. Exposure to testing formats and time constraints can help reduce test anxiety and improve performance.
4. Providing Third-Party Validation
Some parents find that standardized testing helps provide reassurance to family members, school officials, or other stakeholders who may question the effectiveness of homeschooling. Homeschoolers do generally score higher than public school students.
5. Identifying Learning Gaps
Testing can highlight areas where a child may be struggling. This information can help parents tailor their curriculum to better support their child’s educational needs.
Types of Standardized Tests Available for Homeschoolers
Homeschoolers have several options when it comes to standardized testing. Some of the most commonly used tests include:
- Iowa Assessments (ITBS) – Measures core subjects like reading, language arts, and math.
- Stanford Achievement Test (SAT-10) – A nationally recognized test covering a range of subjects.
- California Achievement Test (CAT) – A cost-effective option that evaluates key academic skills.
- MAP Growth Test – An adaptive online test that adjusts to a child’s skill level.
- The PSAT, SAT, and ACT – College preparatory tests commonly taken by high school students.
How to Prepare for Standardized Testing
While homeschoolers may not be accustomed to traditional test environments, there are ways to ensure a smooth testing experience:
1. Familiarize Your Child with the Format
Practicing with sample questions and past tests can help children become comfortable with the structure and timing of standardized tests.
2. Create a Low-Stress Testing Environment
Test anxiety can impact performance, so approach testing with a relaxed attitude. Reinforce that the test is just one way to gauge progress, not a measure of intelligence or worth. This was key for us. I was very clear with my kids that I don’t care about test results because I see their progress every day.
3. Review Core Subjects Regularly
Rather than “teaching to the test,” focus on consistent, well-rounded learning. Engaging with reading, writing, and math on a regular basis builds strong foundational skills.
4. Ensure Proper Rest and Nutrition
A well-rested and well-fed child is more likely to perform well on test day. Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep and eats a healthy meal before taking the test.
Our Experience
Our kids have taken the CAT test and the MAP Growth test. Let me compare the two for you. The MAP Growth and CAT (California Achievement Test) are both standardized tests commonly used by homeschoolers, but they differ in format, adaptability, and purpose. MAP Growth, developed by NWEA, is a computer-adaptive test that adjusts to a student’s ability level in real-time. This means that if a student answers a question correctly, the next question becomes more challenging; if they answer incorrectly, the next question is easier. This provides a highly personalized assessment, offering detailed insights into a student’s strengths and areas for growth. MAP Growth covers subjects like math, reading, and language usage and provides percentile rankings and growth data to help track progress over time.
On the other hand, the CAT (California Achievement Test) is a traditional, fixed-form standardized test that evaluates a student’s performance against national norms. It is available in paper and online formats and covers core subjects such as reading comprehension, language, and mathematics. Unlike MAP Growth, the CAT does not adjust to student responses but instead presents the same set of questions to all test-takers within a given level. While both tests provide a snapshot of academic achievement, MAP Growth is better suited for tracking individual progress and adjusting instruction accordingly, whereas the CAT is useful for a broad, standardized measure of grade-level proficiency. Homeschool families should consider their goals—whether they need adaptive insights for personalized learning (MAP Growth) or a traditional standardized assessment for compliance or benchmarking (CAT).
We started with the CAT test because it was recommended by a friend. It is about $25 per child, making our payment about $50. There are both timed and untimed versions available, as well as online or paper/pencil. We really wanted untimed and online. Another positive for us was that the test results give plenty of details, but also includes a simple composite score, which is all that is required of us by our state regulations. We loved everything about the CAT test except the amount of time it took. I realize we chose the untimed, but there are so many sections that it took us several days to complete it. When I was complaining about this to a different friend, she recommended the MAP Growth test. It is also available online and untimed, but cost us just over $100 for both kids. It was much shorter, about 2 hours total. The only downside to this test (for us) is that it does not offer a composite score. This means my school district will see all of my child’s scores for each area, which is not required. Depending on the year, I could be happy with either of these tests for my children again.
Final Thoughts
While standardized testing may not be the perfect assessment for every homeschooler, it can be a valuable tool for measuring academic progress and preparing for future educational goals. Whether required by law or chosen voluntarily, approaching standardized tests with a balanced mindset can help make the experience beneficial rather than stressful.
Do you use standardized testing in your homeschool? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!
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