Testing Resources

Test Preparation Materials
Sources for Tests

TEST PREPARATION MATERIALS

Scoring High
Scoring High comes in a variety of versions designed specifically for different tests, including for the CAT, ITBS, and SAT.

SRA
250 Old Wilson Bridge Road, Suite 310
Worthington, OH 43085
http://sra4kids.com/

Debra Bell's Home School Resource Center
www.hsrc.com

Piedmont Education Services
1629 Turfwood Drive
Pfafftown, NC 27040
(Also offers other practice tests)
www.pesdirect.com/achievement_tests.html

Test for Success
Can use to prepare for any test; designed to teach testing strategies and reasoning skills. Available for grades K-8.

Bob Jones University Press
Greenville, SC 29614
800-845-5731
www.bjupress.com/services/testing
Cost: $31

Triangle Education Assessments
Apex, NC 27539
877-843-8837
www.HomeSchoolerTests.com
Cost: $28

Better Test Scores
Can use to prepare for any test; designed to teach testing strategies and to review material in order to discover any weaknesses.

Bob Jones University Press
Greenville, SC 29614
800-845-5731
www.bjupress.com/services/testing
Cost: Ranges from $11 for individual subject to $30 for complete kit.

The Essential Guide to Test Taking For Kids
by James Gruber
www.amazon.com

How to Get Better Test Scores on Elementary School Standardized Tests
Published by Random House
This resource is out of print, so it is difficult to find. It contains many helpful suggestions and practical ideas and includes practice tests. You might try eBay, Half, AAABookSearch, or other used books resources.

Practice Tests
Previews or practice tests are also available for many tests. These tests, unlike other test preparation materials, focus mainly on introducing a particular test’s format rather than on general strategies/content. They are not complete tests, but rather provide samples of the type/format of questions on the test. Many places that sell the test will also sell a preview or practice test (see suppliers below).

SOURCES FOR TESTS

See also “Choosing Standardized Tests” and “Notes to Parents Administering Tests.”

BASIC ACHIEVEMENT SKILLS INVENTORY (BASI)

About This Test

Family Learning Organization
PO Box 1750
Mead, WA 99021
800-405-TEST
509-467-2552
www.familylearning.org
homeschool@familylearning.org
Cost: $30/student. Shipping is $5 an order, regardless of the number of tests ordered.
Norm Date: 2003

BRIGANCE DIAGNOSTIC INVENTORIES

About This Test

HSLDA
540-338-5600 (ask for Betty Statnick or Faith Berens)
P.O. Box 3000
Purcellville, VA 20134-9000
www.hslda.org/strugglinglearner/BriganceRental.asp
Cost: HSLDA rents the Brigance to their members for $36, plus a $75 deposit to be refunded if the manual is returned on time and in good condition.
To Order: See instructions on the website. You must be a member of HSLDA to rent the Brigance from them; find out more about becoming a member (HEAV members save $20 on HSLDA membership).

CALIFORNIA ACHIEVEMENT TEST (CAT)

About This Test

Bayside School Services
137 Clipper Court
P.O. Box 250
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
800-723-3057
www.BaysideSchoolServices.com
orders@BaysideSchoolServices.com
Cost: Ranges from $45 to $60, depending on the time of year. Discounts available for groups.
To Order: Call 800-723-3057 or e-mail orders@baysideschoolservices.com.
Norm Date: 1991

Family Learning Organization
PO Box 7247
Spokane, WA 99207-0247
800-405-TEST
509-467-2552
www.familylearning.org
homeschool@familylearning.org
Cost: $35 per student for CAT. Shipping is $5 an order, regardless of the number of tests ordered.
Norm Date: 1992

Seton Home Study School
1350 Progress Drive
Front Royal, VA 22630
540-636-9990
www.Setonhome.org
Cost: $25 per student
Norm Date: 1988

COMPREHENSIVE TEST OF BASIC SKILLS (CTBS)

About This Test

The Sycamore Tree
2179 Meyer Place
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
800-779-6750
info@sycamoretree.com
www.sycamoretree.com
Cost: $50/student plus shipping.
Tests are available to purchase between April 1 and May 5 and again between July 1 and August 5. Tests must be administered and returned to the company within three weeks to avoid a $25 late fee. The Sycamore Tree sends all tests out for machine scoring at the end of the testing period; if you need the test sooner, they can hand score it for an additional $30.

IOWA TEST OF BASIC SKILLS (ITBS; High School Version - ITED)

About This Test

Bob Jones University Press
Greenville, SC 29614
800-845-5731
www.bjup.com
Grade Levels: Available for grades K-12
Qualifications: Anyone can place an order for the tests, but materials will only be shipped to a qualified tester who must administer the test and return for scoring. The test scores will be returned to the person who initially ordered the test. Test administrator must have a four-year degree, be a certified teacher, or be a working teacher in a conventional school.
Cost: Depends on tests ordered. Call Bob Jones to order their testing booklet, which includes information on the tests and order forms, along with qualifications needed to order.
Also Available: The Test of Achievement and Proficiency (TAP), the Stanford Achievement Test, and practice tests/previews.
Norm Date: 1995
*Must provide proof of homeschooling in the form of a signature on the order form. Form available on the website.

Piedmont Education Services
1629 Turfwood Drive
Pfafftown, NC 27040
336-924-2494
Fax: 336-924-2494
www.pesdirect.com
service@pesdirect.com
Iowa Tests Offered: ITBS, ITED, CogAT, and Interest Explorer
Qualifications: Anyone can purchase tests, but person who administers the test must have a four-year college degree.
Grade Levels: Complete battery for grades K-12
Cost: ITBS, ITED, and CogAT - $40 (February-July); $65/rest of year.
Interest Explorer - $30 (Interest Explorer is only available during the spring testing season.)
Also Available: Practice tests; Woodcock Johnson testing is available onsite at the Winston-Salem, NC, office for $55; Piedmont can also administer the Woodcock at locations near their office for between $65 to $70.
Norm Date: 2005 (Form A)

Summit Christian Academy
P.O. Box 2769
Cedar Hill, TX 75106
800-362-9180
www.SCAHomeschool.com
info@SCAHomeschool.com
Grade Levels: Complete battery for grades 3-12
Cost: $50 (non-members)/$45 (Summit members).
Qualifications: No special qualifications required to order test, but someone with a college degree must administer. Tests in March on Iowa Basic, so orders must be in by the end of February.
Norm Date: 2000 (Form A)
Also Available: Placement testing; Wide Range Achievement Test (see Wide Range Achievement Test category below).

Triangle Education Assessments
5512 Merion Station Drive
Apex, NC 27539
919-387-7004 (M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. EST)
877-843-8837
www.HomeSchoolerTests.com
Iowa Tests Offered: ITBS, ITED, CogAT, and Interest Explorer. Practice tests also available.
Grade Levels: Available for grades K-12. (Woodcock-Johnson administered on-site for any age; prices vary, but the basic test runs about $90.)
Cost: $40 per student.
Group discounts: 25 - 40 = $2 off
41 - 65 = $4 off
66+ = $6 off
Qualifications: Any homeschool family can order but a bachelor's degree is needed to administer.

STANFORD ACHIEVEMENT TEST (SAT)

About This Test

Bob Jones University Press
Greenville, SC 29614
800-845-5731
www.bjupress.com/services/testing
Cost: $44/without OLSAT; $63.50/with OLSAT.
Qualifications: Only pre-approved Stanford administers can order; see website for details.
Norm Date: 2002 (Stanford 10)

WIDE RANGE ACHEIVEMENT TEST (WRAT)

About This Test

Summit Christian Academy
P.O. Box 2769
Cedar Hill, TX 75106
800-362-9180
www.SCAHomeschool.com
info@SCA.com
Cost: $30/student.
Qualifications: No special qualifications required to order test. College degree required to give the test. Summit will evaluate the test and return the results to parent unless it is being used as a pretest for placement test.

Psychological Assessment Resources
www.parinc.com
800-331-8378
Introductory kit (includes everything needed to test 50 children) is around $250 plus shipping. This source does not sell in smaller quantities.
Qualifications: To place an order, you will need to submit an application and be approved. To be approved, you must have, “A degree from an accredited 4-year college or university in psychology, counseling, speech-language pathology, or a closely related field, PLUS satisfactory completion of coursework in test interpretation, psychometrics and measurement theory, educational statistics, or a closely related area; OR a license or certification from an agency that requires appropriate training and experience in the ethical and competent use of psychological tests.”

Other Options
Look in the list of Counselors, Testers, and Tutors for testers who mention this test, or call a tester in your area to find out if they own it.

WOODCOCK-JOHNSON TEST TESTS OF ACHIEVEMENT – (WJ3)

About This Test

This test can only be administered by someone certified on the test; look on the list of Counselors, Testors, and Tutors for testors that mention the Woodcock-Johnson.

QUALIFIED EVALUATORS AND PRIVATE TESTERS

Local support groups are the best source for information about evaluators and testers in your area. For a listing of local support groups, visit www.heav.org/support, or call HEAV at 804-278-9200. You may also wish to view HEAV’s listings of Counselors, Testers, and Tutors.

OTHER ASSESMENT OPTIONS

There are other ways to show educational growth and progress besides using a nationally normed standardized achievement test. Parents may choose to put together a portfolio of their student's work, have their child evaluated, or use some other form of evaluation that their local superintendent accepts. Summary of § 22.1-254.1(C) of the Virginia Code states that “The parent who elects to provide home instruction shall provide the division superintendent by August 1 following the school year in which the child has received home instruction with either (i) evidence that the child has attained a composite score in or above the fourth stanine (23rd percentile) on ANY nationally normed standardized achievement test or (ii) an evaluation or assessment which the division superintendent determines indicates that the child is achieving an adequate level of educational growth and progress.” [Emphasis added]

For more information on a portfolio, see “What Is a Portfolio?” Below is information on a test that, while not nationally normed, some superintendents may accept. Check with your county superintendent to see if is an acceptable method of evaluation before ordering.

Personalized Assessment Summary System (PASS; High School Version - ITED)
Hewitt Homeschooling Resources
Washougal, WA 98671
www.hewitthomeschooling.com
800-890-4097 or 360-835-8708 (M-Th, 8 a.m.–4 p.m., PST)
About This Test: Hewitt Research Foundation offers a special test that is accepted in some areas. (Superintendents must accept ANY nationally normed test, but since this test is not nationally normed, it is subject to approval. Check with your county superintendent to see if is an acceptable method of evaluation before ordering.) According to the publishers, the test was “developed specifically for home schoolers.” It is not timed, can be administered by parents at home, and includes a placement test, allowing children to be tested at their actual level instead of forcing them to take a test with problems both above and below their level.
Grade Levels: 3-8
Cost: $26 per student. The test fee pays for a placement test to determine which test level is needed, the actual PASS exam, scoring, and a detailed analysis and suggestions for dealing with areas of difficulty.

MORE INFORMATION

Visit www.heav.org/testing for more information on testing.

ABOUT THIS PAGE

This list was compiled by the Home Educators Association of Virginia and the Bayith Educator. Special thanks to Sarah Olbris for her help in updating this list.

Last updated in February of 2009.