The Stanford Achievement Test Series, Tenth Edition (Stanford 10 or SAT10) is a nationally-normed, untimed achievement test published by Pearson that measures K-12 academic progress in reading, math, language, and other subjects.
What is the Stanford Achievement Test?
The Stanford Achievement Test Series, Tenth Edition (commonly called the Stanford 10 or SAT10) is a standardized achievement test published by Pearson Education. Developed over more than a century and most recently updated with 2018 norms, it measures student achievement in reading, mathematics, language arts, spelling, science, and social studies. Important clarification: the Stanford 10 is NOT the same as the SAT college admissions test. Despite sharing letters in the abbreviation, these are completely different assessments - the Stanford 10 is an elementary/secondary achievement test, while the college SAT is for university admissions.
Key Takeaways
- Untimed test - particularly helpful for students who work slowly
- Covers grades K-12 with 13 different level-appropriate versions
- Available online (through providers like Seton Testing) or paper format
- No administrator credentials required for online versions
- Provides detailed score reports compared to simpler tests like CAT
- 2018 norms keep comparisons current and relevant
Subjects and Structure
The Stanford 10 assesses Reading Comprehension, Mathematics (problem-solving), Language, and Spelling as core subjects. Complete battery versions add Listening Comprehension (through Grade 8), Science (physical, earth, and life sciences), and Social Science (political science, geography, history, economics). Three battery options exist: the Complete Battery takes 4.5-5.5 hours over two days and includes all subjects; the Basic Battery excludes science and social studies; the Abbreviated Battery takes 2.75-3.5 hours and excludes listening and thinking skills. Most homeschool families take the complete or abbreviated battery depending on time and state requirements.
Accessing the Stanford 10
Stanford 10 vs. Other Achievement Tests
The Stanford 10's main distinguishing feature is that it's untimed (or optionally timed), making it ideal for students who work methodically or have processing speed challenges. It provides more detailed score reports than the CAT, helping parents pinpoint specific areas of strength and weakness. The Iowa Assessments are timed and require a bachelor's degree for administration, while the Stanford 10 online can be taken without special administrator credentials (the testing company serves as administrator). The Stanford 10 also evaluates listening skills through Grade 8, compared to only Grade 3 for Iowa. However, Iowa permits wider grade-range testing simultaneously, which may matter for families testing multiple children.
Testing Windows and Norms
The Stanford 10 uses Spring norms (April 1 - July 31) and Fall norms (August 1 - December 31). Tests cannot be normed for a different period than when taken - if you test in October, you'll receive fall norm comparisons. Spring norms compare your student to others at the end of their grade year; fall norms compare to the beginning. This distinction matters when interpreting results: a spring norm score reflects how your child compares to students completing that grade, while fall norms compare to students just starting. The current 2018 norms are relatively recent, making comparisons to modern student populations more accurate.
The Bottom Line
The Stanford 10 offers homeschool families a well-established, detailed assessment option that's particularly valuable for students who benefit from untimed testing. The online availability through multiple providers makes access straightforward, and the detailed reports provide more diagnostic value than simpler tests. At roughly $45-60 through most providers, it's moderately priced among standardized testing options. If your state requires testing and your child works carefully rather than quickly, the Stanford 10 deserves strong consideration.
