A Complete Guide To Homeschool Testing

When it comes to homeschooling, it is smart to consider the most convenient and efficient way to spend time. You want to maximize your day and your child’s attention, so you probably want to try to make the most of each moment. Homeschool testing ensures that your child is learning and showing academic growth in an obtainable way. Seeking a complete guide to homeschool testing aids in your preparation for what to expect and makes the testing experience more comfortable for the student.

Know Your State’s Requirements

Homeschool testing is done for a variety of reasons. As you can probably imagine, homeschooling is different for every household. Depending on the state you live in, there may also be specific requirements that you need to adhere to. While some states do not require any testing, other states require testing on a bi-yearly or yearly basis. One of the first things to consider when in terms of testing is whether testing is required by the state you currently live in.

Whether it is required or not, testing can highlight a student’s strengths and weaknesses. Knowing areas where the student can improve may help guide the lessons you choose to focus on. Testing is advantageous because it helps students grow by analyzing their current understanding of topics and skills. Testing also helps identify a child’s reading level, as well as what they will be ready to learn in the near future.

Consider Your Goals

To take full advantage of testing, it is important to consider your goals and what you are hoping your student will get out of the assessment. It is important to consider these goals because it gives the student something to work toward. Having a goal is essential because it inspires the student to strive for something academically while also giving the parents an outline to follow. Setting goals in an academic setting is also known to encourage a student to continuously grow even after they have met age or grade level requirements.

For some parents, the goal of homeschool testing is merely to complete state requirements. For other parents, however, the goal might be to help their child develop accuracy in math or obtain a higher reading level. Including your child in this conversation can be meaningful because they will believe that they play a role in their learning. Asking your child about their goals is helpful because they might be striving for something you are not aware of. They might also have goals that the assessment won’t cover but that you can independently work on, such as creativity or confidence.

Find a Test

After you’ve researched the requirements for your state and considered the goals of your student, it is time to find a test that meets those needs. There are many testing options available, including timed and untimed standardized tests. Depending on your child’s needs and comfortability, you can decide whether a timed test is appropriate. Otherwise, there are plenty of untimed options available that will allow your student to perform without the pressure of time. Special needs students also have options available that will accommodate their needs. Regardless of your student’s needs, there is a homeschool test available to evaluate their progress and optimize their learning.

Homeschool Boss makes it easy to test your student because when you register, the system will default to the assessment designed for their grade level. Our goal is to make your homeschool testing experience convenient and comfortable. Our assessment is cross-grade and can accommodate any student from K-12. In addition, our tests are ideal for many different needs, whether you are testing for placement or to meet state requirements. Our testing format allows your student to take the test on a computer or iPad from the comfort of their home. Students won’t have to worry about burnout either, as they will only take one test a day, usually lasting 45 minutes per subject with breaks. These factors, as well as the fact that the test is untimed, allow your student to perform to the best of their ability to ensure accurate results.

Know What To Expect

To ensure you have a complete guide to homeschool testing, it is essential to go over what to expect leading up to the test. The week before the test, a proctor will send you an email with important information that will help you prepare for testing. In this email, you will receive preliminary login links and information that you should read carefully. This is a good time to have a conversation with your child regarding what to expect when they take the test. Knowing what to expect will take away any fear of the unknown, so your child can perform to the best of their ability. This is also a good time to ask your child if they have any questions about the test. On the day of the test, it is essential to know your role in the testing process because this will ensure the assessment process proceeds seamlessly.

Homeschool Boss makes the process easy because a proctor is there to help along the way. On the day of the test, you will call in at your appointment time, and your proctor will explain the test procedures. The proctor will help you log in and answer any questions you might have prior to the assessment’s start. In addition, the proctor will be available throughout the day to support you. Following the assessment, you will receive 30-60 pages of personalized learning statements. You will also receive your child’s percentile ranking and Lexile levels. This makes it easy to understand what your child is ready to learn and plan lessons around that information.

At Homeschool Boss, we prioritize your child’s growth as much as you do because we want testing to be comfortable and convenient. Our online homeschool testing is untimed, and subjects are divided up across several days. This ensures you get the most accurate assessment results by allowing your student to take the test in an environment that best accommodates their abilities without experiencing burnout or fatigue. We recognize that all children learn differently, and therefore test differently, too. Regardless of your child’s needs, we are here to help you make the most of their education.