In traditional schools, tests sort students, determine advancement, and provide accountability. In homeschool, testing serves different purposes—primarily helping you understand what your child has learned and what needs more work.
Many homeschool families feel conflicted about testing and grading. Are we "school at home" if we give tests? Are we failing our children if we don't? The answer is neither—testing and grading are tools that serve your educational goals, not definitions of what homeschooling must be.
Key takeaways
- Testing in homeschool serves a different purpose than in schools—it's diagnostic information for you, not sorting students
- Grades become important mainly for high school transcripts and college applications; earlier grades are optional
- Consistent record-keeping protects your homeschool legally and provides valuable documentation of progress
- The best assessment combines formal tests with observation, portfolios, and conversation about learning
Why Test in Homeschool?
Testing in homeschool has different purposes than testing in schools:
Diagnostic information: Tests reveal what children actually know versus what you thought you taught. This information guides instruction—reteach what wasn't learned, move on from what's mastered.
Skill assessment: Especially in skills-based subjects like math, regular testing ensures foundational concepts are solid before building on them. Gaps caught early are easier to address.
Preparation for future testing: Eventually most students face standardized tests, college entrance exams, or professional certifications. Familiarity with test-taking reduces anxiety when it matters.
External validation: Some states require standardized testing. Even where not required, test results provide evidence of academic progress if ever questioned.
Student self-knowledge: Older students benefit from understanding their own strengths and weaknesses. Tests provide concrete feedback that supports self-directed improvement.
What testing doesn't do in homeschool: sort students, create competition, or serve administrative needs. Without these functions, testing becomes genuinely useful rather than stressful.
Types of Assessment
Assessment comes in many forms beyond traditional paper tests:
Curriculum tests: Most textbooks include chapter tests, unit tests, and sometimes semester or year-end tests. These assess whether your child has learned the specific material covered.
Standardized tests: Tests like the Iowa Assessments, Stanford Achievement Test, or CAT provide comparison to national norms. Some states require these; others make them optional.
Portfolio assessment: Collecting samples of work over time demonstrates growth and capability. Portfolios can replace or supplement testing in some state requirements.
Oral examination: Have your child explain concepts to you. This reveals understanding (or lack thereof) more clearly than multiple-choice questions.
Project-based assessment: Completed projects demonstrate application of learning. A working model, a research paper, or a presentation shows what the child can do.
Observation and documentation: Daily observation of your child's work provides ongoing assessment. Note struggles, breakthroughs, and areas needing attention.
Common Standardized Tests for Homeschoolers
- Iowa Assessments: Comprehensive, widely accepted; untimed versions available for homeschoolers
- Stanford Achievement Test (SAT-10): Another widely recognized option; available through various homeschool testing services
- CAT (California Achievement Test): Often available in shorter versions; can be administered at home
- Woodcock-Johnson: Individually administered; comprehensive academic achievement assessment
- PSAT/SAT/ACT: College preparation tests; relevant for high schoolers planning higher education
- CLT (Classic Learning Test): Alternative to SAT/ACT; designed with classical education values
Grading: When and How
Many elementary homeschoolers skip formal grades entirely—you know exactly how your child is doing without reducing it to a letter. Grading becomes more relevant in middle and high school when transcripts matter.
Elementary grades (optional): If you want grades for elementary, keep it simple. Curriculum tests provide percentages; convert to letter grades if desired. Report cards can satisfy relatives or your own sense of progress.
Middle school grades (transitional): Begin practicing grade calculation as preparation for high school. This is a good time to establish consistent systems without high stakes.
High school grades (important): High school grades matter for transcripts, college applications, and scholarship eligibility. Establish clear criteria and maintain consistent records.
Calculating grades: Weight assignments appropriately. A common breakdown: - Daily work/homework: 20% - Quizzes: 20% - Tests: 40% - Projects/papers: 20%
Adjust weights based on your priorities and curriculum requirements.
Standard Grading Scale
Record-Keeping Systems
Good records protect your homeschool and provide valuable documentation. Establish a system you can maintain consistently.
What to keep: - Attendance records (required in some states) - Grades and test scores - Course descriptions (especially for high school) - Samples of student work - Curriculum lists - Standardized test results - Extracurricular documentation
Physical vs digital: Some families prefer binders with paper records. Others use spreadsheets, apps, or online portfolio systems. Choose what you'll actually maintain. Hybrid approaches work too—digital gradebooks with physical work samples.
Organization systems: - By student (each child has their own records) - By school year (academic year folders) - By subject (separate files for math, language arts, etc.) - Combination approaches
Backup important records: If using digital systems, maintain backups. If using paper, consider photographing or scanning critical documents.
Creating High School Transcripts
High school transcripts become essential for college applications, employment, and military enlistment. Even if you haven't kept detailed records earlier, establish a transcript system for high school.
Transcript elements: - Student information (name, birth date, graduation date) - School name (your homeschool's name) - Course list by year - Credits earned per course (typically 1.0 for year-long courses, 0.5 for semester courses) - Grades received - Cumulative GPA - Graduation date
Determining credits: Most courses follow standard credit assignments. Full-year courses equal 1.0 credits; semester courses equal 0.5 credits. For unusual courses, count hours: roughly 120-180 hours of instruction equals 1.0 credit.
Course descriptions: Create brief descriptions of each course, including materials used, topics covered, and any distinguishing features. This helps admissions officers understand your curriculum.
Validation options: Some families have transcripts notarized or use umbrella schools that issue transcripts. Many colleges accept parent-created transcripts; check specific requirements for schools of interest.
Next Steps
Testing and grading in homeschool serve your family's needs—diagnostic information, progress documentation, and eventually transcripts that open doors for your children. They're tools, not requirements that define your homeschool.
Start with the minimal record-keeping your state requires. Add testing and grading as it serves your goals. For elementary students, observation and curriculum tests may suffice. By high school, establish systems that create credible transcripts.
The key is consistency. A simple system maintained faithfully serves better than an elaborate system maintained sporadically. Find what works for your family and stick with it.
Next: Explore curriculum packages—all-in-one solutions that simplify planning and record-keeping.