Standardized Testing

The CogAT Cognitive Abilities Test is not accepted under the Homeschool Law or by the CHEC Independent School.

• Not accepted under the Homeschool Law (because does not produce a composite score)
• Accepted by the CHEC Independent School
• Available to members of Classical Conversations community
• Results must include national norms and percentile rankings, and every test subsection must have a national percentile ranking of 14% or higher

• Accepted under the Homeschool Law and by the CHEC Independent School
• ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills) is for grades K-8
• ITED (Iowa Test of Educational Development) is for grades 9-12
• 4-year degree required for the administrator by most testing companies
• Timed
• Online version available
• Comprehensive test results
• HSLDA interprets the core composite from Iowa as satisfying Colorado law for a composite score; therefore students are not required to take the Science and Social Studies portions of this test.
• The IOWA Assessment often includes the CogAT cognitive abilities test, but the CHEC Independent School does not require the CogAT scores to be submitted with the rest of the IOWA Assessment scores.

The MAP is not accepted under the Homeschool Law or by the CHEC Independent School because it does not produce a composite score and is not nationally standardized.

Not considered a nationally standardized achievement test, therefore NOT accepted under the Homeschool Law or by the CHEC Independent School

The PARCC is not accepted under the Homeschool Law or by the CHEC Independent School.

• NOT accepted under the Homeschool Law
• Accepted by the CHEC Independent School
• Developed specifically for homeschoolers
• Untimed
• Results show personal achievement and national percentile comparisons
• Results also include homeschool percentiles and improvement suggestions for each subject
• Available for grades 3-8
• Results that are submitted must include all four pages for each student. This includes the composite score, and the student’s scores on each individual section of the test.

The PSAT is not accepted under the Homeschool Law or by the CHEC Independent School. However, if you choose for your student to take it as preparation for the SAT, be sure to use the homeschool code (990699). (Go to CollegeBoard.org to register.)

If follow the College Board’s steps for registering to take the PSAT or SAT at the public school, and the public school refuses to let your child sit for the test because you are homeschooling, and you are a member of HSLDA, contact HSLDA to get their advice.

• Accepted under the Homeschool Law and by the CHEC Independent School
• 4-year degree required by the administrator (Note: If you choose to take it online, the testing company is considered the administrator and the parent is not required to have the degree)
• Untimed
• Online version available
• Comprehensive test results
• The CHEC Independent School accepts either the complete battery or the abbreviated battery of the Stanford test.

Please Note: this is not the SAT that high school students take for college admission. Learn more about college admission tests on our High School Support page.

• Not considered nationally standardized achievement tests, therefore NOT accepted under the Homeschool Law
• Accepted by the CHEC Independent School once during a student’s high school years
• Administered at public schools only during certain times of the year (we recommend doing research several months ahead to make sure you don’t miss the testing days)
• Minimum required scores: SAT 390; ACT 15.
• ACT: use homeschool code 969-999 (this is specific to Colorado). (Register for this at ACT.org.)
• SAT: use homeschool code 970000. (Go to CollegeBoard.org to register.)

Does not deliver composite score results, therefore NOT accepted under the Homeschool Law or by the CHEC Independent School.

Not considered a nationally standardized achievement test, therefore NOT accepted under the Homeschool Law or by the CHEC Independent School

• Accepted under the Homeschool Law and by the CHEC Independent School
• No special requirements for the administrator
• Last normed in 2005 by the publisher of CAT/5

• Accepted under the Homeschool Law and by the CHEC Independent School
• Administered only by experienced professional educators one-on-one. Parents may be able to observe the testing process. Students work from simple to complex in each subtest.  Most of the test is administered orally in less than three hours. It is recommended for “unique learners” who may be overwhelmed or bored with longer tests, or who have special needs that make testing difficult.  Some testers may also advise you with homeschooling suggestions and ideas when you receive results on testing day.
• To provide a composite-type score from the Woodcock Johnson III or Woodcock Johnson IV, please ask your tester to give every subtest that is required to produce a Broad Achievement Score or a Total Achievement Score.
• For CHEC Independent School families only: Results must include a Broad, Total or Brief Achievement score of 14% or higher, OR each subsection must have a Percentile Rank of 14% or higher.
• Note: If a professional evaluator is using the Woodcock Johnson as a tool for an evaluation, instead of as an achievement test, then this score is not required.  Instead, the qualified evaluator should provide a document stating that the student is progressing according to their ability, citing the Woodcock as one of the tools used to evaluate the student.

You can find a listing of professional testers on this page, including ones qualified to administer the Woodcock-Johnson.

• BJU Press Testing & Evaluation, 800-845-5731
• Tests available:
  • Iowa Assessment Form E
    • Online and mail-in options
    • Grades K–12
  • Practice tests available
• Make sure your results include the Composite Score, called:
  • Iowa Assessment: if Core only, then Core Composite; if all sections, then Complete Composite
• For CHEC Independent School families:
  • The Spring norms are required for all tests. When you purchase a test, make sure you are purchasing within the correct dates to produce spring normed results.
  • BJU requires the CogAT cognitive abilities test to be taken with the IOWA Assessment, but the CHEC Independent School does not require the CogAT scores to be submitted with the rest of the IOWA Assessment scores.

• • Brewer Testing Services, 336-699-3997

Tests available:

• • TerraNova 1st Edition CTBS
    • Mail-in
    • Grades K, 4–12
  • TerraNova 2nd Edition (CAT/6)
    • Mail-in
    • Grades K–12
  • Iowa Assessment (Forms A, C, or E available)
    • Mail-in
    • Grades PreK–12
  • SAT 10 Online
    • Brewer Testing administer the test, so no degree is required
    • Grades 3–12
• Make sure your results include the Composite Score, called:
  • TerraNova: Core Total
  • ITBS/ITED: Complete Composite Score
  • SAT 10 Online: Complete Battery Score

• Catforms Testing Service
• Tests available:
  • CAT (California Achievement Test)
  • Mail-in
  • Only has grades 4–12 available for homeschoolers
• Make sure your results include the Composite Score, called:
  • CAT: Intersection of the Test Total column/National Percentile row
• For CHEC Independent School families: Spring norms are required. To ensure your test is scored using spring norms, administer the test to your students during the March-August time frame of an assessment year. When ordering, use the grade level that your student is enrolled in.

Catforms Testing Service provides homeschool testing materials and scoring for the 1970 California Achievement Test. Some of the benefits the Catforms program offers are online ordering, affordable prices, flexible testing dates, and personal service. Student test results include color charts showing performance at a glance, a detailed analysis of specific strengths and weaknesses, and cumulative records from year to year. Sample test results can be found on the website. Parents can administer tests themselves and scoring times are prompt.

• Christian Liberty, 800-348-0899
• Tests available:
  • CAT (California Achievement Test).
    • Note that Christian Liberty lists the tests as Grade Entering, so the “Grade Entering 12” is actually an 11th grade test. They do not sell a 12th grade test. For example, if your student is completing 5th grade in May, your student would then take the “Entering 6th Grade” test.
• Mail-in and online versions available
• Grades 1–11 available
• An online practice test is available
• Note: Christian Liberty does not automatically send a composite test score.  Since Colorado Law requires the inclusion of a composite score, please request it when ordering. Christian Liberty calls it:
  • CAT: Total Composite Percentile

Christian Liberty also offers a curriculum recommendation service (for an additional fee) based on your student’s test results. See their website for more information.

• Classic Learning Test (CLT), 443-782-3733
  
  • The Official CLT is a college entrance exam. There are online and some onsite testing options available. Check the CLT website for more information.
  • Make sure your results include the Composite Score, called: Total Score (in the Percentile Report, which may only be available on the Student Analytics Report)
  • Tests available:
    • CLT3-8 exams for 3rd-8th graders 
    • CLT10 for 9th and 10th graders 
    • CLT for 11th and 12th graders 
  • Online, at-home exams 
  • Option for paper testing for homeschool group orders 
  • Online practice exams available for CLT10 and CLT. Sample exams available for CLT3-8 exams. 
  • Special discount for those enrolled in the CHEC Independent School! Log into your account for a CHEC IS coupon code.

• College Board Tests:
  • ACT.org (use Homeschool Code: 969-999)
  • College Board SAT (use Homeschool Code: 970000). 
• Make sure your results include the Composite Score, called:
  • ACT: Composite Score
  • SAT: Total Score

• FACE
• Tests available:
  • PSAT (Preliminary SAT)

Family Academy of Christian Education (FACE) offers the PSATs to all students that would like to take it. Although the PSAT does not qualify as a nationally standardized test, it is especially beneficial for 11th graders as National Merit Scholarship winners are chosen from students who take the PSAT.

• FLO Educational Assessment & Testing Service, 800-405-8378
• Tests available:
  • CAT/5
    • Grades K–12
  • TerraNova 1st Edition CTBS
    • Grades 1–12
  • TerraNova 2nd Edition (CAT/6)
    • Grades K–12
  • SAT 10 Online
    • Untimed
    • Grades 3–12
  • CAT/5 Survey
    • Grades 2–12
• Make sure your results include the Composite Score, called:
  • CAT/5 and CAT/5 Survey: Total Battery
  • TerraNova (both editions): Total Battery
  • SAT 10 Online: Complete Battery, National Percentile column

FLO’s TerraNova and CAT tests offer some accommodations for students with disabilities and/or IEPs. Contact them for more information. For a comparison of the tests they offer, check out this page on their website.

• Hewitt Homeschooling, 360-835-8708
• Tests available:
  • PASS (Personalized Achievement Summary System)
    • Untimed
• Make sure your results include the Composite Score, called:
  • PASS: Composite Percentile (Make sure you include all 4 pages of results)

• Piedmont Education Service, 336-815-1142
• Tests available:
  • CAT/5
    • Mail-in
    • Grades K–12
  • TerraNova 2nd Edition (CAT/6)
    • Mail-in
    • Grades K–12
• Make sure your results include the Composite Score, called:
  • CAT/5: Total Battery
  • TerraNova: Total Basic Battery

See the CHEC testing page for a special CHEC discount for Seton Testing Services

• Seton Testing Services, 800-542-1066
• Tests available:
  • CAT Survey (California Achievement Test)
    • Grades 4–12
  • Iowa Assessments™ Form E Online & IOWA E Online with CogAT 7®
    
    • Grades K–12
  • TerraNova 2nd Edition (CAT/6)
    • Grades 1–12
  • SAT 10 Online (Stanford Achievement Test)
    • Grades 3–12

• Make sure your results include the Composite Score, called:
  • CAT Survey: Composite Score
  • Iowa Assessment: if Core only, then Core Composite; if all sections, then Complete Composite
  • TerraNova (CAT6): Total Score
  • SAT Online: Intersection of the Total Battery row, National Percentile column
• For CHEC Independent School families: The Spring norms are required for all tests. When you purchase a test, make sure you are purchasing within the correct dates.
  • Iowa Assessment – must be completed between March 1–July 31 for spring norms
    • Seton requires the CogAT cognitive abilities test to be taken with the IOWA Assessment, but the CHEC Independent School does not require the CogAT scores to be submitted with the rest of the IOWA Assessment scores.
  • Stanford Achievement Test – must be completed between April 1–July 31 for spring norms
    TerraNova 2 – must be completed between March 1–August 31 for spring norms 
  • Special discount for those enrolled in the CHEC Independent School! Log into your account for a CHEC IS coupon code.
• Administrator Requirements: No degree required for the SAT since Seton is the administrator

Academic Excellence only offers fall-normed tests, meaning tests that compare your student’s results to other students who have only just started that grade. So if you are testing after October, your student will have had more education than the sample students they are being compared to, making the results skewed.

Note for CHEC Independent School families: The CHEC Independent School strongly discourages against using this company’s test, because the confusing way they label the test causes too much angst in end of year record submission. If you do choose to use them anyway, make sure to order the next grade level higher. (E.g. if your student is finishing 10th grade, order the Grade 11 test.) CHEC Independent School cannot accept Academic Excellence’s CAT for students who are in 12th grade.