Homeschool Standardized Testing and Annual Assessments: State Rules, Test Options and Reading Scores
A guide to homeschool testing: which states require annual assessments or standardized tests, alternatives like portfolio reviews and teacher evaluations, common test options such as the Iowa Assessments, Stanford 10, CAT and TerraNova, how to give a test at home, how to read percentiles, stanines and grade equivalents, and testing for students with disabilities.
Quick answer: Whether homeschoolers must test depends on the state. Some states require an annual assessment, which may be a nationally normed standardized test, a portfolio review or an evaluation by a certified teacher, while many states require no testing at all. Common tests include the Iowa Assessments, Stanford Achievement Test (Stanford 10), California Achievement Test (CAT) and TerraNova. Scores usually come as percentiles, stanines and grade equivalents, and they are most useful for spotting strengths and gaps rather than as a final verdict. Some state scholarship and education savings account programs also require annual testing.
Testing is one of the most common questions new homeschool families ask. Some parents welcome a yearly benchmark, others worry about it, and many are not sure whether their state requires it at all. The answer depends on where you live and whether your child takes part in a state funding program.
This guide explains the rules, the main test options and how to make sense of scores. For a broader start, see our guide on how to start homeschooling.
Sources: State homeschool statutes and department of education guidance, including Florida Statutes section 1002.41, New York Codes, Rules and Regulations section 100.10, Pennsylvania Public School Code section 13-1327.1 and Code of Virginia section 22.1-254.1; publisher information for the Iowa Assessments (Riverside Insights), Stanford Achievement Test Series, Tenth Edition (Pearson), California Achievement Test and TerraNova; National Center for Education Statistics (NCES); College Board and ACT for high school testing. State laws change, so confirm current requirements with your state department of education or a statewide homeschool organization.
Do Homeschoolers Have to Take Standardized Tests?
States fall into roughly three groups:
| Approach | What it means | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| No assessment required | Families do not submit test scores or evaluations | Many states, including some with no notice requirement |
| Assessment with options | Families choose a standardized test or another evaluation method | Florida, Virginia, New York |
| Testing plus portfolio review | Tests in certain grades along with an evaluator’s review | Pennsylvania |
These examples show how the rules differ. Our guide to homeschool laws by state explains how to find your own statute.
Examples of State Rules
- Florida. Under section 1002.41, parents in the home education program must have an annual educational evaluation. Options include an evaluation by a certified teacher, a nationally normed achievement test given by a certified teacher, a state student assessment, an evaluation by a licensed psychologist or another method agreed on with the school district.
- Virginia. Families homeschooling under the home instruction statute, section 22.1-254.1, must submit evidence of progress each year, such as a standardized test composite score at or above the fourth stanine or an evaluation or assessment that shows adequate progress.
- New York. Section 100.10 of the state’s regulations requires an annual assessment. Standardized tests are required in certain grades, and in other years families may use an alternative, such as a written narrative by a qualified evaluator.
- Pennsylvania. Families keep a portfolio reviewed by an evaluator each year, and students take standardized tests in grades 3, 5 and 8.
Rules change, so check the current law before each school year.
Scholarship and ESA Testing
Families who use state education savings accounts or scholarship funds may face testing even in states with no homeschool testing rule. Some programs require participating students to take an annual nationally norm-referenced test or a state assessment. Our article on private school and homeschool scholarship funds explains how these programs differ from traditional homeschooling.
Common Test Options
Several nationally normed achievement tests are widely used by homeschoolers:
| Test | Publisher or provider | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Assessments | Riverside Insights | Widely recognized; often requires a qualified test administrator |
| Stanford Achievement Test (Stanford 10) | Pearson | Common in private schools; often administered by a qualified person |
| California Achievement Test (CAT) | Available through several homeschool testing services | Some versions can be given by parents at home |
| TerraNova | Data Recognition Corporation | Online and paper versions through testing services |
| PASS (Personalized Achievement Summary System) | Hewitt Learning | Designed for homeschoolers; untimed and adaptive levels |
Testing services sell these tests to homeschool families, often with administrator requirements. Some require a bachelor’s degree for the administrator, while others allow parents to give the test. Check both the test publisher’s rules and your state’s rules about who may give the test.
How to Give a Test at Home
If parents can administer the test:
- Order early. Testing services can take a week or more to ship.
- Choose the right level, usually based on grade, and consider whether a child working above or below grade level should take a different level.
- Read the administrator manual ahead of time.
- Set up a quiet space with sharpened pencils, scratch paper and a clock.
- Follow timing rules exactly, since normed scores depend on standard conditions.
- Spread testing over several days if allowed, with short sessions for young children.
- Return answer sheets promptly for scoring.
Practice with a sample test or similar questions beforehand so the format is not a surprise. Familiarity with bubbling answers matters for younger children.
Reading the Score Report
Score reports use several kinds of scores. Understanding them prevents misreadings.
| Score type | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| National percentile rank | The percentage of students in the norm group who scored lower | 70th percentile means the child scored higher than 70 percent of the norm group |
| Stanine | A 1 to 9 scale; 4 to 6 is average, 7 to 9 above average, 1 to 3 below average | Virginia’s rule uses the 4th stanine as a threshold |
| Grade equivalent | The grade level of students in the norm group who got a similar score | A third grader with a 5.2 grade equivalent did well on third-grade material, not necessarily ready for fifth-grade work |
| Scale score | A continuous score useful for tracking growth over years | Compare across years on the same test |
Grade equivalents are the most often misunderstood. They describe performance on the test the child took, not mastery of a higher grade’s curriculum.
Using Scores Well
A single test is a snapshot. Use results to:
- Spot patterns, such as strong reading but weaker math computation.
- Adjust curriculum, adding practice where scores are low.
- Track growth from year to year using scale scores.
- Document progress for state requirements and records. Our guide to homeschool records and portfolios explains how to file results.
Avoid treating scores as a verdict on homeschooling or on your child. A bad testing day, test anxiety or unfamiliar format can affect results.
When to Test During the Year
Timing matters for both compliance and usefulness:
- State deadlines. Some states set a date for submitting results, such as Virginia’s August 1 deadline for evidence of progress, or tie the evaluation to the anniversary of your notice of intent, as Florida does. Work backward from that date.
- End of year. Testing in late spring shows what a child learned over the year and fits most state timelines.
- Beginning of year. Some families test in the fall to plan curriculum, then compare with the next fall.
- Same time each year. Testing at the same point each year makes growth comparisons more meaningful.
Avoid testing right after a major disruption, such as a move or illness, if your deadline allows flexibility.
Costs
Testing costs vary widely. Tests ordered from homeschool testing services often cost less than private evaluations, while in-person group testing through a co-op or private school may include a proctor fee. Portfolio reviews and teacher evaluations are priced by each evaluator. Ask homeschool groups in your area for evaluator recommendations and typical prices, since some groups organize group testing days at a lower cost.
Choosing an Evaluator
Where your state allows a teacher evaluation or portfolio review, the evaluator matters as much as the method. Look for someone who:
- Meets your state’s qualifications, such as a current teaching certificate where required
- Has experience with homeschoolers and different teaching styles
- Explains what they will review and what they will submit or sign
- Offers a written summary you can keep in your records
Ask about the process before you book. Some evaluators meet with the child, some review only work samples and some do both.
How Homeschool Results Fit the Bigger Picture
Federal data on homeschooling, such as the surveys described in our article on homeschool statistics from federal data, focus on who homeschools and why rather than on test outcomes, because most states do not collect homeschool scores. That means your child’s results are mainly for your family’s planning and any legal requirement in your state, not a statewide ranking. Keep copies of every score report and evaluation, since you may need them if you move to a state with stricter rules or if your child returns to school.
What to Do if Scores Are Low
Low scores are a signal to look closer, not a reason to panic. Start by checking whether the test level matched what your child has studied, since a test can cover topics your curriculum has not reached yet. Look at the subtest results to find the specific skills that pulled the score down, such as math computation, vocabulary or spelling. Then adjust: add short daily practice, try a different approach to the topic or get an outside tutor for a hard subject. If low scores show up across several areas or years, talk with your pediatrician or ask about an evaluation for a learning difference. In states with a minimum score requirement, ask your evaluator or state homeschool organization what options exist, since many laws allow a remediation period.
Alternatives to Standardized Tests
Where state law allows, families often prefer other assessments:
- Portfolio reviews by a certified teacher or evaluator, who looks at work samples across subjects
- Written narratives by a qualified evaluator describing progress
- Curriculum-based tests from your chosen program
- Parent-designed assessments, where allowed, for families’ own use
These options can give a fuller picture for children who struggle with timed tests.
Testing Students With Disabilities
Children with disabilities may need accommodations such as extra time, breaks or read-aloud directions. Testing services and test publishers have accommodation policies, and state laws sometimes offer alternatives for students with disabilities. Our guide on homeschooling a child with special needs explains evaluations and services available under federal law.
High School Testing
For high schoolers, standardized tests take on another role. The PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, ACT, AP exams and CLEP exams can support college admissions and credit. Some families use these tests to meet state requirements in high school grades, if the state allows. Homeschoolers register as individual test takers and use a homeschool code when asked for a high school.
Easing Test Anxiety
A few simple steps help children approach tests calmly:
- Explain that the test shows what to work on next, not whether they are “smart.”
- Keep the routine normal, with good sleep and breakfast.
- Practice test-taking skills, such as skipping hard questions and coming back.
- Celebrate effort after the test, regardless of results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all homeschoolers have to take standardized tests?
No. Testing rules vary by state, and many states require no assessment at all. Some state funding programs require testing even where homeschool law does not.
Which standardized test is best for homeschoolers?
Common choices include the Iowa Assessments, Stanford 10, CAT, TerraNova and PASS. The best choice depends on state rules, who can administer it and your goals.
Can parents give standardized tests at home?
Sometimes. Some tests allow parent administration, while others require an administrator with specific qualifications. Check both the publisher and your state.
What does a stanine score mean?
Stanines run from 1 to 9. Scores of 4 to 6 are average, 7 to 9 above average and 1 to 3 below average.
Does a high grade equivalent mean my child should skip a grade?
Not necessarily. It shows strong performance on the test taken, not mastery of higher-grade material.
The Bottom Line
Homeschool testing rules range from none at all to annual tests with portfolio reviews. Check your state’s current law and any funding program requirements, choose a test or alternative that fits, understand the scores and use the results to guide teaching rather than to judge it.
