Standardized Testing Resources in South Carolina

Are you looking for standardized testing resources? In a previous post, I explained that standardized testing is not required by South Carolina homeschool law for Option 2 or 3. Although, some associations recommend or require achievement testing. Note: Option 1 homeschoolers are obligated to take the state-mandated tests with the school where they are zoned.

But, whether or not your accountability requires testing, you may want to consider some of these test options. Achievement tests can be helpful if you are planning to enroll your student back into traditional school. These scores can be useful for the school placement (especially if your child is gifted or needs remediation). Aptitude testing might also be helpful to help understand why your student struggles in some subjects.

The parent is legally free to choose which test and when to test. Or *IF* to test at all. If you choose to test, you might these FREE resources, local and online options (for individual and group testing), and High School standardized testing opportunities.

Local Standardized Testing Resources

Homeschooling the Special Needs Child offers on-site standardized testing here locally in South Carolina. Group achievement tests in the West Columbia office or will also travel to your group location. Also, does referrals for psychological and special needs evaluations.
Email: Susan Blackwell for test dates, prices and registration form.
Call: 803-794-6908 or 803-429-3899
Achievement Testing: Standford 10 and Iowa (group or individual setting)
Aptitude Testing: Brigance and Woodcock-Johnson (individual testing only)

Homeschool Books for Less Stephanie Poole is registered with BJU Press Testing & Evaluation as a test administrator. She isqualified and approved to administer Iowa Assessments^™and /CogAT^®^{Phone to schedule: 803-292-8375}

SC Association of Independent Homeschools (SCAIHS) offers Woodcock Johnson test for a fee. You do not need to be a member to get their testing services. And if you’re not in Columbia, they have a referral list for other test administrators in the state.

Many support groups and resource centers that sometimes offer local group testing opportunities in the Spring. NOTE: You do not necessarily have to be a member to access their group testing. Check the details on their website or contact the program directly about current testing availablity:

Arrows Academy (Columbia Area and Kennesaw, GA)
CSRA Home Educators (Central Savannah River Area)
PeeDee Christian Home Educators (Florence)
REACH of Florence (Florence)
SHIELD (Lexington County)
SC Association of Independent Home Schools, SCAIHS (Columbia)

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On-Your-Own Standardized Tests Year-round

You can have the test materials sent to you–and you can administer the test yourself or have someone you know to conduct the test. You might also want to organize a group test yourself by ordering a batch of tests together. Some of these testing services are administered by an online proctor instead. So, you have even more choices available. These testing resources can be ordered most any time of the year.

Brewer Testing Services offers a wide selection of paper and online tests that may be administered in your home by the homeschool parent or by another qualified person. Ships materials promptly (usually within one day) and returns most score reports within four days.
Achievement Testing: Iowa, Basic Achievement Skills Inventory (BASI), Stanford 10 Online, TerraNova
Aptitude Testing: Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT)

Homeschool Testing Services is a service of Classical Conversations. Offers Stanford-10 onsite locations and also online (proctored over the phone), and Comprehensive Test Program (CTP). Check website for test locations, dates and registration fees.
Achievement Testing: Stanford-10 and CTP

Seton Testing Services provides testing packets for individuals to administer on their own or groups may order test packets together. Easy application to become a test administrator with a B.S. or B.A. degree or some tests will not have a degree requirement.
Achievement Testing: Iowa, California Achievement Test (CAT), TerraNova 2, and Stanford 10 Online.
Aptitude Testing: Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)
Career Aptitude: Interest Explorer

ABeka Testing provides testing packets for homeschool use. Test administrators have B.S. or B.A degree, have watched the training video online and agree to sound use of test materials.
Achievement Testing: Stanford 10/Stanford 10 online and Iowa
Aptitude Testing: Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) and Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT).

FREE Testing Resources

Just for your purposes, you may want to see how your student would do on a standardized test. These are some free tests you might also use as test prep or practice.

Assessment Help has interactive online tests by grade level and subject area. Also, End of Course exams for High School subjects.

EDinformatics has sample test questions from various state mandated tests, plus online graded simulations by grade level and subject area.

Tests.com offers free practice tests in various subjects, IQ test, and various standardized tests.

High School Testing

These tests may qualify your student for scholarships and help determine college or career path after High school. Consider having your student take these tests, depending on their goals.

Duke TIP is a nonprofit organization that supports academically talented students in grades four through twelve. Offers above-level testing, enrichment resources, year-round learning options, residential summer programs, online courses, and need-based financial aid. Enrollment in the 4th–6th Grade Talent Search or 7th Grade Talent Search is required to participate in most Duke TIP programs.

PSAT/NMSQT is the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. PSAT/NMSQT scores are automatically screened for the National Merit^® Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships. The test is only offered during October each year for 8th and 11th graders. Practice tests can help you determine how your student might perform on this test–so you know if it’s worth doing. Homeschool students can take this test at their local public school or at a private school location. Pre-register in August if you are interested in this test opportunity.

*If your student participates in Duke TIP in 7th grade or PSAT in 8th grade, those results can qualify for South Carolina Junior Scholars award. Your accountability director has to submit the recommendation form to the Department of Education. Notify your director when you get the test results so you don’t miss the deadline.

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SAT is used for college admissions and scholarship qualifications. Tests are given on Saturday mornings several times a year–at a location near you. Recommended age 9th-12th grade. Test preparation at Kahn Academy. SAT results can also be linked to Kahn tutorial so you can emphasize practice on sections that were missed.

ACT is a national college admission and scholarship qualification exam with four subject areas: English, Math, Reading and Science, plus an optional writing test. Six test dates throughout the year. Recommended for 9th-12th grade.

WorkKeys is a job skills assessment system measuring “real-world” skills that employers believe are critical to job success. If your student is not college bound, this test may be a good option to consider. Results can be sent to various businesses. See the work ready counties in South Carolina where employers are looking for WorkKeys results. Find a test location for more information.

ASVAB is a multiple-aptitude battery that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military. Contact a recruiter to get more information on testing dates and locations.

CLT is The Classic Learning Test, an alternative to SAT or ACT. Success on the Classic Learning Test does not require any particular religious affiliation; it is open to students of all faiths who are serious about their academic work, a pursuit of virtue, and the beauty, truth, and goodness found in our Western heritage. Recommended for High School Juniors and Seniors. See the list of colleges that currently accept CLT test results.