In Association with Home Educators Around Texoma - H.E.A.T.
www.texomahss.org
The laws of the State of Texas do not require home school students to take any standardized tests.
Some families choose to test their children.
Here is some information about various tests that we hope will help you.
Scroll down for information on
Placement Tests.
•Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS)
This is a top-rated nationally standardized achievement test designed to evaluate thinking skills. This test takes less time to administer than the Stanford and permits a wider grade range of students to be tested at the same time. This test is considered to be among the most difficult tests. Grades 3-8 may be tested together; grades 9-12 may be tested together. Qualifications for test administration: a 4-year baccalaureate degree in any field. Directions for administration are supplied at no additional cost. Tests are supplied and returned to suppliers for scoring. Tests are given orally through grade 2.
•Stanford Achievement Test (SAT)
Not to be confused with the Scholastic Aptitude Test (also SAT), this is a top-rated nationally standardized test for K-12. Listening skills are included for K - 8th grade. The test administrator must have a baccalaureate degree in any field, plus meet additional test administering guidelines. The publisher of this test has strict guidelines that must be followed when testing any relative. The test supplier can supply you with specifics before ordering the test. Qualifications for test administrators and directions for administration must be purchased.
•California Achievement Test (CAT)
This test is popular among Christian schools and home schools because it contains more traditional values than other tests listed. Parents administer the test and send it back to be scored and returned. You must request percentile scoring and /or stanine results or you will only receive raw scores and grade equivalents. This test is intended for grades 2 – 12.
•California Achievement Test (CAT/5)
This test is an updated version of the CAT. For grades K-12; tests reading, language, spelling, mathematics, study skills, science and social studies.
•Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS)
The CTBS tests all academic areas including reading, language arts, spelling, math, science, social studies and reference skills for grades 1 – 12. With the CTBS scores, you receive a professional critique.
For information regarding college admissions tests like
PSAT, ACT, SAT, ACUPLACER,
or
CLEP and other Credit By Examination Exams click here
Standardized Test Suppliers
Note: Some homeschool families have tested with Christ Academy in Wichita Falls. Wichita Christian School also welcomes home school families.
Bayside School Supply
137 Clipper Ct. P.O. Box 250
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
www.baysideschoolservices.com or
(800)723-3057
(CAT)
Bob Jones University Press
Greenville, SC 29614-0065
www.bjup.com or (800)845-5731
(SAT, TAP, ITBS)
Christian Liberty Academy
502 W. Euclid Avenue
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
www.homeschools.org or (800)348-0899
(CAT)
Christian Light Education
P.O. Box 1212
Harrisonburg, VA 22803
(540)434-0750
(CAT - if student is enrolled in Home School Plus program)
Family Learning Organization
P.O. Box 7247
Spokane, WA 99207-0247
www.familylearning.org or (800)405-TEST
(ITBS, CAT, TAP, MAT)
Hewitt Educational Resources
P.O. Box 9
Washougal, WA 98671-0009
www.hewitthomeschooling.com or
(800)348-1750
(PASS)
Seton Home Study School
1350 Progress Drive
Front Royal, VA 22630
(540)636-9990
www.setonhome.org
(CAT, CTBS)
Sycamore Tree
2179 Meyer Place
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
www.sycamoretree.com or (800)779-6750
(CTBS)
Thurber's Educational Assessments
www.thurbers.net or (919)967-5282
(CAT/5)
Information on PLACEMENT TESTS - from Alicia Little
Here are the free ones I used...They are not even the curriculum
I use but they are free and test grade level so it worked for me.
Saxon math (just pick your grade level from this page)
right hand side of page, click diagnostic test, sign in or create account and get your free tests
ACE (School of Tomorrow)
http://www.schooloftomorrow.com/acediagnostic/
Same deal your register, its free, then take as many tests as needed. The levels on this one will be in pace number, so here is a link to know what pace is what grade
The language arts/English tests I used were online and I printed the math.
I searched for free placement test the word assessment did not give many options. I listed here the ones I used but there were many others, so google and see what you like. I just found this TAKS link looking for the tests I used. I may use that next year, all the tests are on one page, cool. Side note my children are young so I only tested for math and LA. My reading test was if they could read to me on a level I thought they should they passed, if not I know we need to work on reading. Hope this helps.
Alicia Little
Wifey to Allen and Mommy to 6 LITTLE people
Other Standardized Tests
•Personalized Assessment Summary System (PASS)
This un-timed test was developed specifically for homeschoolers (Grades 3-8). Parents administer the test at home. Results show your child’s overall achievement and include suggestions for reaching goals in each assessment area. While the PASS test if not nationally standardized, it has been approved by the Georgia State Department of Education to fulfill the requirements of our state law. Since this test has no time requirements, it is particularly good for any child who is homeschooled, but especially for those who are learning disabled, ADD, ADHD, or have test issues. The PASS test would be particularly helpful in establishing actual levels for homeschoolers since it was developed specifically for use with homeschoolers. It also provides helpful recommendations for parents to use in educational planning.
•Test of Achievement and Proficiency (TAP)
High School Achievement Battery of the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills for grades 9-12; evaluates higher-order thinking skills. The complete battery includes: vocabulary, reading comprehension, written expression, math concepts and problem solving, math computation (optional), social studies, science, and information processing.
•Metropolitan Achievement Test (MAT)
This test is used to assess student achievement in five areas: reading, math, language, science, and social studies. The test is available for K-12, with an emphasis on thinking and research skills
TAKS TESTS
Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) - Spring 2006
The Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills is taken by most Texas public school students in spring of each year during grades 3-11. This page contains the actual tests and answer keys used during 2006. (Questions from the 2007 tests will be reused in 2008 and 2009, so the 2007 and 2008 tests will not be released until after testing is completed in 2009.)
Download TAKS Test -- http://scotthochberg.com/taas.html
Five Common
Standardized Achievement Tests
These are the five most commonly used achievement tests. Each has a total composite score and sub scores. It is recommended that you use the same achievement test each time you test in order to be able to compare the scores.
Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS)
