Test Preparation Tips for Homeschool
Standardized testing is an important part of school for almost all students. Even homeschool students will likely have to take standardized tests at some point during their time in school. Use these test preparation tips for homeschool to help your student get the best possible test results.
I received compensation in exchange for my honest review, but all the opinions in this post are my own. This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a small commission on purchases from the links.
Types of Tests that Homeschoolers Take
Achievement Tests
These are the tests that students in public schools take at the end of a unit of study. An achievement test shows how much a student has learned in a particular subject area or from a certain curriculum.
Placement Tests
Students take placement tests to show what they already know about a topic before they start learning about it. A placement test can be helpful for homeschoolers who are switching from one curriculum to another or who are just getting started with homeschooling, so you can make sure that your student is using the correct level of the curriculum. These are also called diagnostic tests.
Standardized Tests
These are the tests that high school students take to show that they are ready for higher-level learning. The most common college entrance exams are the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), which is created by the College Board, and American College Testing (ACT). These tests are often used to award college scholarships as well, which means it is important for students to do their best on the test.
Achievement Tests for Homeschool
Stanford Achievement Test (SAT 10)
The Stanford Test is a challenging test that evaluates home school students against grade-level standards in language arts, math, science, and social studies. There are specific criteria that parents must meet to be able to administer the test.
Iowa Assessments- Formerly Iowa Test of Basic Skills
The Iowa Assessments are a medium-difficulty achievement test that is used in many United States school districts each school year. Again, parents must meet specific requirements to be able to administer the test.
California Achievement Test (CAT)
This is a shorter and easier standardized test that is available for homeschoolers. Students can take the CAT in either a paper or online format. You do not need to meet any special requirements to administer the test to your child.
Test Preparation Tips
Helping your child practice for the specific test they will be taking is a great way to help them improve their test scores. Homeschool parents can help their students learn study skills and strategies for success on the specific test that they will be taking.
Understand the Test
One of the best ways to help your student feel confident on test day is to make sure that they know what to expect for the test. Different tests are organized in different ways, so students need to understand the structure of the test they will be taking.
Test prep books and study guides are available for each of the standardized tests that include valuable information about the test as well as practice problems. These can be helpful in teaching your child about the structure of the test.
Adaptive Tests
Students should also be aware of whether or not the test they will be taking is an adaptive test. Adaptive tests are customized for each student with questions that get easier or harder depending on whether or not the student is answering the questions correctly.
Adaptive tests can seem very difficult, even when students are doing very well. Students need to be prepared for this so they don’t get frustrated by the more difficult questions on an adaptive test.
Take a practice test
Many of the common tests offer free online practice tests to help students prepare for success on the big day. Look for complete tests that will help students get a good idea of the kinds of questions they might see, as well as the pacing of the test and the level of stamina required.
Test takers should practice their tests in a quiet space that is free from distractions like the kitchen table or at a desk. Try to make your home environment as similar to the testing environment as you can.
Take a Test Prep Course
One of the best ways that students can prepare for success on standardized tests is to take a test prep course.
ACT Prep Online Bootcamp from College Prep Science
The ACT Prep Online Bootcamp from College Prep Science is a great way to prepare students to be successful in taking the ACT.
This class includes 4 live online classes where students will learn practical strategies that will help them make the most of their study time and be successful on the test. They will also get access to 5 ACT practice tests, and they will complete homework assignments about test strategy.
The class can count as a one-semester credit in study skills on a high school transcript.
Choosing A Homeschool Test Preparation Class
As a former high school teacher, I know how important good test preparation can be to helping students achieve their full potential on standardized tests. Here are some things to look for in a test preparation class like ACT Prep Online Bootcamp.
Live Classes
The ACT Prep Online Bootcamp includes 4 live online classes The live classes allow kids the opportunity to ask any important questions they have and get individualized feedback. This is important to make sure that students can get their questions answered, and it’s one of the biggest things that sets the ACT Prep Online Bootcamp apart from other test prep classes.
The schedule of the live classes will also give your student some accountability to keep working through the class material and meet the deadlines on time.
Check out the class schedule for the next ACT Prep Online Bootcamp here.
Replay Available
The live classes are also recorded and replays are available. This is an important feature for busy students who might not be available during the live class.
As a busy homeschool parent, I always look for events that have a replay available. This gives us flexibility if my kids get sick or life gets busy. It also allows my kids the flexibility to watch part or all of the class again if they need some extra review of the material.
The Teacher
This class gives kids the opportunity to learn from ACT expert Greg Landry. There are many test prep tutors out there, but Greg Landry has been helping kids prepare for the ACT for over 15 years.
He is also a college professor and homeschool dad, so he understands not only the details of the ACT and how to be successful in taking it, but also how to teach that information to homeschool families.
Having a great teacher like Greg Landry will help students be successful with any class.
Learn more about Greg Landry here and be sure to check out his Science Freebies for Homeschoolers.
Format
The ACT Prep Online Bootcamp includes live classes, independent reading and homework assignments, and practice tests. This means that students are learning the same material in a variety of different ways.
As a teacher, I am always looking to teach my students the same material in different ways because I know that this is a great way to help them remember. This class is designed in a way that kids will remember the information long term. They aren’t just memorizing information that they will forget after taking the ACT one time. This class will have an impact on your child’s test taking skills for years to come.
The Focus
By focusing on the ACT only, students will have an easier time remembering the unique quirks of this test. In addition, many homeschooled students prefer the ACT- which makes it the perfect test to focus on for your homeschooler.
Listen to a podcast about why your child should Laser Focus on ACT and ditch the SAT here.
The Strategy
Students should take the ACT more than once, and this course encourages them to do so. Kids should take the ACT for the first time in 9th grade and then re-take the test multiple times each year of high school. This gives students a lot of time to feel comfortable with the test.
If your child has not been taking the ACT since 9th grade, the ACT Prep Online Bootcamp includes 5 full-length practice tests which is a great way for them to catch up and gain experience.
I love that the ACT Prep Online Bootcamp includes the strategy of test-taking and helps students understand how to work with the system to achieve the best possible score on the ACT.
High School Credit
The ACT Prep Online Bootcamp counts as a semester of high school credit in study skills. Many high school students get overwhelmed with their classes, plus preparing for the standardized tests on the side. I love that students can count this class for high school credit.
Information Covered
This class goes in-depth with unique and useful information about how the test is structured and what makes it unique. I always encourage high school students to study the test they are going to take because understanding the test can dramatically improve your child’s performance.
The Price
Test prep classes are a great way for students to increase their scores, which not only increases the likelihood of admission but often increases the likelihood to earn a scholarship. Many families find that test prep classes more than pay for themselves in increased college scholarships.
Learn more about the ACT Prep Online Bootcamp and grab a spot for your child.
On Test Day
To help your student be successful on testing day, there are a few things they should keep in mind.
- Be prepared. Make sure you know exactly where test center is located and how to get there before test day. You may need to arrive early, so make sure you leave enough time for unexpected delays.
- Make sure you get a good night’s sleep before test day, so you are well-rested and energized during the test.
- Eat a good breakfast before the test. This ensures that your brain is receiving all the nutrients it needs to function properly when test-taking. Eating something with protein like peanut butter is the best way to help you stay full and think clearly during the test.
- Choose your clothes carefully for test day. You want to make sure your clothes are comfortable and won’t be distracting. Wear layers so that you can adjust to the temperature of the room.
- Make sure you bring all the supplies that you will need. Often test makers will provide scratch paper and pencils just in case they’re needed, but it’s best to be prepared.
- Bring a water bottle. This can be helpful if you get thirsty during testing. If the test doesn’t allow for easy access to water bottles, make sure to take frequent water breaks anyway, as staying hydrated is important.
- When test day comes, get to the test center early and take some deep breaths to relax before the test begins.
Eight Tips for Taking a Standardized Test
When your high school student is taking a standardized test, these strategies will help them to be successful.
1. Make a plan for how you will take the test. Know what kinds of questions you will see, and which section you will work on first. A good test preparation class can help you create a plan.
2. Read the test directions carefully and do exactly what they say to do.
3. Ask questions if you don’t understand something about the test. Make sure you understand before you move on.
4. Make sure you know if a test is timed, or if you can work at your own pace. If the test is timed, bring a watch and time yourself to make sure you are working fast enough.
5. Start with sections or questions that are easy and that you can answer in less time. This will help build confidence for more difficult sections.
6. If test questions are very difficult for you, skip them and come back to them later if you have time, or take a guess at the answer if you’re running out of time.
7. Eliminate wrong answers. Whenever you’re answering multiple-choice questions, there is usually at least one choice that is obviously a wrong answer. Cross out the answers that you know are wrong. This will help you find the correct answer.
8. Do your best! Trust in your preparation, and have confidence in your ability to get a great score on the test.
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