Directory · Testing & Evaluation
State-approved standardized tests, portfolio evaluators for the states that require them, diagnostic assessments for special-needs documentation, and the college-readiness exams that translate a homeschool transcript into an admissions office.
Accepted in every state that requires annual standardized testing.
One of the most common testing providers for homeschool families. Offers the California Achievement Test (CAT/5), Iowa Test of Basic Skills, and Stanford 10 with home-proctoring by approved parents.
BJU Press offers the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS), the Stanford 10, and CogAT cognitive abilities test. Can be administered by a parent meeting qualification criteria.
Offers the California Achievement Test (CAT/5) and other norm-referenced tests. Low-cost online option; results typically returned within 2 weeks.
Pacific Northwest testing service. Offers the Iowa Test of Basic Skills and Stanford 10 by mail-out to homes. Widely used in Washington, where annual testing is required.
North Carolina-based group-testing service. Satisfies NC DNPE's annual standardized test requirement. Tests administered at approved sites rather than in-home.
TerraNova is one of the most widely accepted nationally-normed achievement tests. Available through multiple homeschool testing services; fewer direct-to-parent options.
For PA, NY, and other states that require professional evaluation.
PHAA's listing of evaluators who can accept credits for the PHAA high school diploma. In Pennsylvania, families meet with an evaluator of their choosing each spring and turn the evaluation letter in to the school superintendent by June 30; the evaluator can be a certified teacher, a licensed psychologist, a private school teacher with recent experience, or anyone else the superintendent approves in advance.
SAT, ACT, CLEP for homeschool applicants.
Homeschool students register directly through College Board. Use state homeschool code or 970000 (homeschool generic code) on registration. Digital SAT launched 2024.
Homeschool students register directly with ACT. Some colleges in the Midwest/South favor ACT over SAT for homeschool applicants. Digital option rolled out in late 2024.
CLEP exams let homeschool students earn college credit without formal coursework. Particularly popular with classical and dual-enrollment homeschool families. Over 2,900 colleges grant CLEP credit.
Special-needs diagnostics and state-specific paths.
Diagnostic tests (Peabody Individual Achievement Test, Woodcock-Johnson) used for special-needs documentation, gifted qualification, and learning-difference identification. Typically administered by educational psychologists.
Washington State requires homeschool parents to either hold a college degree OR complete an approved qualifying parent course. WHO offers the standard-approved course.