We live in a state where homeschool testing is required. Beginning in upper elementary, all the way through high school we have to test in varying degrees. Having to do this brings an added element to the homeschooling process. I have needed to spend time researching various tests that are acceptable to our homeschool regulations, and we have tried various tests (even ones not accepted by our state).
To Test or Not to Test
In the homeschool community there is a debate concerning testing: To Test or Not to Test…That is the Question. Even among my local peers (who are all required to test per our NYS Homeschooling Regulations) there is debate over testing: how to go about it, how often to do it, how much emphasis to put on it, etc.
Would I test if I didn’t have to? I’m actually not sure about this one. I think I would. “Testing” is a basic element of our society. We are tested all throughout our lives in various ways, and have to jump through hoops we might not have chosen to jump through ourselves as we navigate this world.
How do I approach testing? I have chosen to make testing a normal part of our lives. While I don’t teach to a test, I do make sure my children have the knowledge and skills needed to be competent when homeschool testing comes around. Even though we only have to test alternating years from 4th-8th grade, I choose to test them every year, starting in 3rd grade. Starting a year early allows them to see the test and become familiar with how the process works. It allows me to see where they are going to fall on the testing scale before I will have to report their scores to our school district.
During the years in which I do not have to report their scores, I don’t report them. I have them test just to keep it a normal part of what is expected, and to be sure we are staying on track with being competent in jumping through the homeschool testing hoop!
Homeschool Testing with the CAT Test
For years now we have used the CAT Test for homeschool testing. The California Achievement Test (CAT Test), for grades 2-12, is a nationally normed standardized test that measures achievement in the areas of reading, language, spelling and math.
Basics Features of the CAT
- The CAT Test can be taken as a paper test mailed to your home (which you mail back upon completion), or as an online test done on your home computer. You can read more about the differences in these two here.
- The CAT Test is offered as both a timed and un-timed test.
- There is no degree required to administer the CAT Test.
- The CAT Test can be parent administered at home. (In some states approval is required for this.)
The CAT Test covers:
- Vocabulary
- Comprehension
- Language Mechanics
- Language Expression
- Math Computation
- Math Concept and Applications
Where to Purchase the CAT Test
I was wondering, for the CAT tests, do you test them for the year that they are in or the year ahead of them? I have seen conflicting information about this and was wondering how to decide for my family what is best. I have done the online CAT test starting in 3rd grade also to get us used to it, but I was told that I should have tested for 4th grade instead of 3rd grade? But would my student even know those things yet? Is that the point of the test? I would love your feedback! Thank you for this well written article on CAT testing
I’ve already paid for the CAT test. How do I get it going?
I am looking at the California Achievement Test for my daughter. I have looked at Seton Testing’s website as well as Academic Excellence’s website. On Seton’s website it is called the CAT Survey and is normed in 1986. It says to order the grade level that your student just completed. On Academic Excellence’s website it is just called the California Achievement Test and it is normed in 1970. Their website says to order one grade level up. So, my daughter is finishing 9th grade and they say I should order the 10th grade test for her. Do you know the difference between these two tests? I have tried to chat with both companies and neither knows about the other.