Test Comparison for Homeschool Proof of Progress
Virginia students who take a nationally normed standardized achievement test must have a composite score in or above the fourth stanine in order to continue to homeschool. The fourth stanine begins at 23 percentile.
Many good tests measure different aspects of learning; however, not all tests meet Virginia’s statutory requirements for evidence of progress.
The following chart, while not a comprehensive list, includes many of the most popular tests that do meet Virginia’s requirements for evidence of progress.
Standardized Test Comparison Chart
Name of Test |
|---|
Iowa (ITBS) |
California (CAT) |
|---|
Iowa | CAT Survey | TerraNova | Stanford 10 |
|---|
Year Normed |
|---|
Grade Levels |
Online/Paper |
Subjects Covered |
Degree Required? |
Timed/ Untimed |
Completion Time (estimate) |
Ordering time |
Scoring Time |
IEP Accomodations |
Grade Level to Order |
Practice Test |
Price |
2017 | 2017 |
|---|---|
K-12 | K-12 |
Online | Paper |
Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies | Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies |
No | Yes |
Timed | Timed |
3 hours over 2 days | Spread over several days |
10 days | 4-6 weeks |
7 business days | 2-3 weeks |
None | Flexible w/ diagnosed disability |
Grade just completed | Grade just completed |
Yes | Yes |
$35 | $35 |
1970/1987 2018 | 1970/1987 2018 |
|---|---|
2-12 | 2-12 |
Online | Paper |
Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies
| Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies |
No | No |
Both | Untimed |
Flexible | Flexible |
none stated | none stated |
Instant | 2 weeks |
Flexible | Flexible |
Grade completed (unless given during last 4 weeks of school) | Grade completed (Unless given during the last 4 weeks of school) |
Yes | Yes |
$25 + $3* (*premium scoring for composite) | $25 + $3* (*premium scoring for composite) |
2017 | 1986 | 2005 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
K-12 | 4-12 | K-12 | 3-12 |
Paper | Paper | Paper | Online |
Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies | Reading, Language Arts, Math | Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies | Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies |
No | No | No | No |
Untimed K -2 (except grades 1-2 math) | Timed | Timed | Timed |
2½–5 hours over 2-3 days | 2½ hours | 2-5½ hours over 2-3 days | 2.75-5.5 hours over 2 days |
3 weeks – 5 months | up to 5 months | 3 weeks – 5 months | 3 weeks – 5 months |
Within 2 weeks | Within 2 weeks | Within 2 weeks | 1-2 days |
Flexible w/ diagnosed disability | Flexible w/ diagnosed disability | Flexible w/ diagnosed disability | Flexible w/ diagnosed disability |
The grade just completed | The grade just completed | The grade just completed | The grade just completed |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Grade K: $45 Grades K-3: $40 Grades 3-12: $32 | $29 | $43 | $40 |
