I'm looking for recommendations for at home testing. I'm looking at the CAT From SetonTesting (dotcom) [sorry I can't post links] I like that it's inexpensive (I'd rather spend the money on good books they can actually learn from than a test to tell me what I already know) and that it's K-12 so that you can compare the results year to year. What I don't like is science and social studies isn't covered. Do you guys have any other recommendations?
We use the Iowa test. It covers it all. You have to go through Bob Jones University and sign up as an official test administrator or some such nonsense. So, the first year there is a little bit more paperwork for you to do, but every other year it's just a matter of ordering the test (and paying your money, of course). I pay the money to administer it myself rather than going through the school. ETA: I think they have minimal requirements to become an official test taker. But I think they are pretty minimal, like a high school diploma. I don't think it requires college degree but I don't remember.
We use the IOWA here. I may switch over to the SAT, though, for this year...just to assess the difference on the elementary levels. I used to teach secondary, so I've only ever administered the SAT to the higher grades. You can get either test through Bob Jones University Press.
I should add my kids are early elementary and have never been tested before. So untimed would be nice to limit stress.
I don't really care for standardized testing, I don't care for testing period in a homeschool setting, we as parents work closely enough with our kids to know if they have got it all figured out enough to move on our not. That said, I live in a state that requires standardized testing in 3rd, 5th and 8th grades. I use the CAT from Seton. They were super quick getting our results back and they are affordable. In our state it has to be given by someone other than the parent, so I just have MIL do it, it's easy, the teacher instructions are simple to understand.
Most standardized tests are untimed in the younger elementary ages. IOWA is untimed through at least 3rd grade [there is one math section that is timed; but if I recall, it's also considered a section set apart from the overall math area].
I (as a school) have access to the CAT/5 with a scoring-by-hand setup using special answer sheets. I find that the thing is so old (from the 1990s) that the kids I've tested with it were way off the charts score-wise, when in reality their skills weren't nearly as high as it made it look. I can only imagine how this would be with the even older CAT from the 1970s. I also have (as a school) the SAT-10. I keep the test books in a secure location, and just order answer sheets each spring for the levels I need, and I mail those in to the company and receive the scores back in a couple of weeks. I like the color format and the fact that it's untimed at all levels. I only do the OLSAT with it in grades 2, 5, and 8. I feel I can trust the results to be "accurate" (as accurate as that sort of thing can be) because the norms and items tested in each grade are fairly up-to-date. The same could be said of the current Iowa, which is timed. The public schools in Louisiana have a contract with Riverside (who publish the Iowa), so no one else can get the most current version. With proof that they are homeschooling, parents can - I think - get a several years older version. In a couple of weeks I'll be testing an 8th grader and a 3rd grader with the SAT-10. In another month or so I'll be testing my 1st grader with the CAT/5.
We are doing the Stanford this week- 1st year of homeschooling so first time to use any of these. So far, it seems fine. It is untimed, and includes Science, Social Science (called 'Environment' for my 1st grader), Spelling, Listening, Language, Reading Comprehension, Reading Vocabulary, Word Study Skills, Math Procedures, Math Problem-Solving.
Do you have anyone in your area that can administer the WRAT (Wide Range Achievement Test) or the PIAT (Peabody Individual Achievement Test). This is what our evaluator uses with our kids. They are both visual/verbal, not timed, one on one and very low stress. My kids always do well on them.
We use the CAT from Seton (I just ordered ours today). Even though I think it's awfully easy - it's all the state requires so I go with it I know where my kids are academically so I'm not really that worried - I adjust as needed, but this meets the requirements.
I use the PASS super easy to do, compiles the previous test scores for easy assessments (once you've done it more than once) has a seperate score of how kids compare to other homeschooled kids if you are interested in that sort of thing only tests Reading, Language Arts and Math ( which I prefer because I don't follow a standard school curriculum in other areas so why would I care to compare my kids to other kids knowledge in those areas?) Oh, but PASS can only be used through 8th grade - then I switch to the ACT
