Either for personal reasons or state requirements, who will be testing this spring? We'll be testing using the CAT. My daughter is 3rd grade and it's required in odd grades in Colorado.

I'll probably test her in April. I can do it at home and mail the test in for grading. From what I see, it's a very short test.

Have any of you done the CAT before? This is our first year testing.

We are required to test every year.  We usually test in the spring.  We have used the CAT for quite a few years.

HI, I am testing and don't know what test to use.  One required by state 9th grade, one just because 7th grade.  Do all test have to mailed back in and someone, somewhere grade them??? 

Our homeschool group has a certified teacher that can do the testing, but Since dd has learning problems I thought I might do it myself.  But was wondering why you can't grade it yourself???  In the past I helped administer the GED test for a Technical/College and it was self grading.  Once filled in you just tore the sides off and it had the answers/verses the answers the student filled in. 

Does anyone have the self grading test??  I would prefer to use those.  That way I can see all areas we did well and any we need to maybe re-address.

Thanks for any info you can share, pm or post here.

Thanks,

NaturalSpice

NaturalSpice,

All the standardized tests we have ever used, or that I have ever heard of need to be sent in for scoring.  (Except Peabody...see below.) Some companies do a better job than others of explaining what the scores actually mean.  I'll have to look in my files when I get a bit more time, then I'll try to post the names of the companies. 

I did have my son tested one year using the Peabody Test. (I think that's the name...I'll have to check for sure.)  He had some learning issues so it may be a fit for your daughter if your state accepts it.  It was mostly done orally and took about 1 1/2 hours total.  We did have to have a certified Peabody tester administer it.  I sat nearby and listened while he took it, so I could tell what he was missing, etc.

Thanks! I'll start looking in that direction!

We're going to order the California Achievement Test through Seton homeschool services. It's self-administered, and there is no time limit to mail the test in. Grading is included in the $25 price. They offer practice tests, but, from what I hear, the actual test is very simple.

Texas does not require testing. I am still debating whether I want to test this year or not. Samples of the Texas TAKS test are available online. I am having my son work on those once in awhile to get an idea how he would do. Today I had him work online to do the writing assessment, but it didn't work very well. He had to keep scrolling up to view the material in order to answer the questions. I'm going to print it out and see if his score improves.

Renae,

Would you please post the link for this test? I need to prepare my son well in advance what to expect for any tests he may need to take.

I bookmarked this free practice SAT site. http://www.kaptest.com/repository/templates/ArticleInitDroplet.jhtml?_relPath=/repository/content/College/Our_Programs/SAT_Prep/CO_sat_satqbankol.html

Our local support group offers Iowa testing every Spring. They order them through BJU. I'm thinking about having my kids do them this year.

I love this site, and especially how wonderfully helpful and encouraging everyone is in this forum !!!

Thanks!

Michelle,

would the California Achievement Test  work for Georgia???  It sounds good with no time limit, most I've heard of have to be sent back within a certain time... 

Thanks for any info.

Naomi

If you (or spouse) has a bachelor's degree, you can sign up to be an ITBS (Iowa test) test administrator and test your own children.  If you're a certified teacher, you can give the Stanford, but you can only test your kids with other kids.  This is all through BJUP:

www.bjupress.com/services/testing/

I used to give the ITBS to DS myself, but last year, and this year, we're using the EXPLORE test through ACT through a talent search (MATS).  It's an out-of-level test (normed for 8th graders), so it's a much better test for my son.

Can someone post the link to get info on the CAT?  Did someone say it's self administered.  I'm thinking of doing the Stanford for my 3rd grader because a friend can administer it but my 8th grader can't do it -- I'm tinking of doing the IOWA of her, but if I can self administer the CAT I may do that.  I live in Texas but have heard the TAKS test is not worth doing .... hmmm - if I can find samples on line I may take a look

You'll need to check with your state laws to determine what the testing requirements (if any) are. Here is a link to Seton Testing Services, which is the service we'll be using for the CAT. I'm pretty sure they offer other tests, too.

My kids have taken the Stanton Achievement tests for years at their Christian School.  We changed to home schooling this year.  I looked into it and I can give it myself after completing a couple of simple requirements.  I found the info in bju.com under testing.  Hope that helps.

We test because it is required by law in our state.  I jump through the hoops because I must.  The only benefit  to testing that I see would be in the older grades as a preparation for college entrance exams.  (i.e.  how to take a standardized test.)    The results of a standardized test have NEVER told me anything that I didn't already know.  I am aware of what my children know, and what they don't know.  I already can see in which areas they are strong,  and what needs more work.  I've been testing for 13 years.

I think Seton only offers CAT, but I could be wrong. 

I've gotten my California Acheivement Tests (CAT) through www.Christianlibertypress.com for the past few years.  They use the 1970 version and I find it not as objectionable (politically correct) and not as "dumbed down" as others we've used.  (It's also only $20.)

We've also used the Metropolitan Acheivement Test (MAT) in the past.

We used to get our tests through www.familylearning.org but they tend to get pretty busy in the spring, and once they double billed my friend.

We've never tried it, but you could also check out www.hewitthomeschooling.com  for the PASS test.  It is normed against the MAT and is especially developed for homeschoolers.  It has other advantages (not timed, etc.) that are listed on the website.  It looks pretty good.

I already mentioned the Peabody Individual Acheviement Test in my post above.

I have no experience with the Iowa Basic.  I am not a "licensed" teacher, so I can't administer it.

There are a few other tests around and other providers.  You could probably do a google search to find them.  It really depends on what your state requires.  The ones I've mentioned are ones we've used in Minnesota.

I used t o use the PASS test from Hewitt Homeschooling.  It is written just for homeschoolers and you are graded on the achievement compared to other homeschooled students.  I really liked this test, but it is only for grades 3-8.  The price is comparable to Seton.  It can be given at ho me and then sent back for grading.  I used this for 5 years.  Here is the link  http://www.hewitthomeschooling.com/test/tmain.asp  It may not be approved in every state though.

Last year we used the CAT from Seton and were very pleased.  The test is easy and only tests Reading, Language and Math, which I liked as we don't keep up with the *big school* in history or science,

We are in NY and need to test every other year in 4th through 8th and every year in 9-12th.

I'm testing this year.  We have to test every 3 years.  Last year I just downloaded a texas test and gave it for my own benefit.  This year though, we have to do the formal thing.

We do the CAT5 every year. I buy mine through the Thurber's though, because we prefer the full battery. Seton only sells the shorter version. We do almost nothing organized and don't really keep records...so, if I'm going to bother with a test, I'm going to go full bore. lol

We self-administer, send it back for grading, and they send us fairly self explanitory results within a couple weeks. (usually about a week from the time we mail the test in) My kids love the test. They think it's great fun. lol Clearly they've never been in school to deal with test anxiety, eh? =D