Spectrum’s Test Prep – Grade 3

In our homeschool, we tend to stress hands on learning and creativity with our academics. But I also wanted my daughter to become familiar with test-taking plus help her to know tests were nothing to fear. So through the years, I have had her practice with everything from spelling tests to math semester tests. She has gradually developed good test taking skills. But when we got ready to try her first standardized test, she was still a little fearful. So I looked for a way that we could practice ahead of time, and I found SPECTRUM’S TEST PREP-Grade 3. It not only calmed her fears, but also became a nice way for the family to review what had been learned each year.

SPECTRUM’S TEST PREP-3- includes the following chapters:

• Just for Parents – A review of the various tests available to homeschoolers.
• For All Students – Tips in test taking.
• Kinds of Questions – Tricks for multiple choice, true/false, and matching questions.
• Subject Help – Practice questions for Reading, Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Science
• Practice Test – For kids who wanted to try a few questions prior to testing.

Since curriculum varies from homeschool to homeschool, this book provides y general questions, particularly for science and history. Most families will find it relevant. If not, parents can pick and chose the sections they would like to review, such as only doing reading or only math.
Our family used the Practice Questions for each subject. That gave my daughter enough practice so that we could go ahead and do our testing. We contacted a long standing testing company for homeschoolers, called the Family Learning Organization (FLO). They provided the CAT (California Achievement Test) for a small fee. (The CAT has tests for the basic core subjects).
We did my daughter’s testing in our own home. And SPECTRUM TEST -3- made it easy for my daughter to do her CAT test! When we were finished, we returned the test papers to our testing company, FLO, and soon received their computerized test results. These were helpful to me, as they pointed out my daughter’s strengths and any weaknesses, and helped me plan for the next year!
Over the years, my daughter has gained confidence and skill in test taking. She now looks forward to her testing! And, remember, homeschoolers, as a group, score approximately 25% higher than their public school educated peers! We celebrate as a family, each year, after the testing is done. Ice cream and a movie!!

The test taking built so much confidence in my daughter that it will help in future testing, such as the SAT, and also Running Start down the road!
If you are looking for Test Prep, I would recommend SPECTRUM’S TEST PREP for your family. It is available for grades 1 to 9.

• For further information, please go to www.carsondeliosa.com
• To reach Family Learning Organization, who offer assessment and testing for homeschoolers, please go to www.familylearning.org

~Betsy lives with her husband, daughter and two cats near Puget Sound in the northwest.  A waldorf-inspired and unit study-loving homeschooler, she offers Homeschool Consulting to new families at Jane Sproger.