Homeschooling Thru High School: Testing

What about tests? There are many unknowns in a young person’s future, but you can bet that tests are going to be part of your child’s life as he matures: driver’s license tests, employment questionnaires, employment certification tests, college entrance examinations, or midterms and final exams.

While opinions may vary on how effective written tests are in evaluating actual learning, it’s important that you begin now to equip your child with practical test-taking skills, preparing him to be comfortable with the process of taking the tests he will inevitably face. Test-taking strategies based on learning styles will give your child added confidence. It is also possible to request accommodations for documented learning challenges when taking the SAT test, AP tests, etc. To find out more about how to request accommodations, eligibility, and the documentation required, visit CollegeBoard.com.

Most of these tests are administered at specific testing locations, but some standardized achievement tests can be administered at home by a certified test administrator or even a parent. Be sure to verify test administration requirements before you begin testing at home.

There are many types of tests. The tests your teens need to take depend on their situations and goals. Below is a list of some of the more common tests.

Standardized Achievement Tests

These tests are commonly taken in grades 1-10. Examples include the Stanford Achievement Test, Iowa Test of Basic Skills, and the California Achievement Test. Some states require specific tests, while others have no requirements. Check your state law for high school testing information here.

Bob Jones Testing and Evaluation
Variety of nationally recognized tests. Testing services approved by test publishers.
Seton Home Study School
California Achievement Test (CAT)
The Sycamore Tree
Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills
Bayside School Services CTB McGraw-Hill’s TerraNova and Test of Cognitive Skills (TCS), CAT/5 and TCS

Advanced Placement Tests

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are rigorous courses taken during high school but taught at a college level. The courses typically require an extensive amount of study, reading, and writing. There are 37 different AP courses across 22 subject areas that culminate in the taking of a standardized AP test for each course given nationwide in the late spring (usually May).

In order for homeschoolers to label courses as “Advanced Placement” on their high school transcripts, the course syllabus must now be pre-approved by the College Board AP Central. (AP is a trademark and to use it without approval is illegal.) Details on the AP tests, including teacher resources, exam questions, and other materials are provided. Because the AP Central does not list homeschool-approved syllabi in the Course Ledger which is used by colleges to check the validity of the Advanced Placement designation, it is necessary to keep the AP Central’s notice of approval for each AP course. Therefore, these letters should be attached to the high school transcript that you send to colleges.