Anyone with a website comparing the standardized tests out there?

[kalanamak]

I just know I saw one, but I've googled and googled, and the google part of my brain is just less creative than usual today.

I'm looking for the (a) site with age range and method of grading and who can administer, etc.

Thanks.

And on a personal note: finished Singapore EB last night, kiddo proudly stuck his huge gold star in the back of 2B, fondled all his old volumes and "WOW"'d about the new books brought out. Here's hoping his love of math keeps on going.

[GVA]

We've been homeschooling for 7 years now, so I've kind of got it figured out for our family, but I'm always looking for good resources to point out for others.

We have to test every year and submit to the county. I'm one that believes in testing at home for 1st-6th, and I don't like long tests. I do like more detail for 3rd and up though. So for 1st-2nd, I use the CAT-E from Seton as a "ballpark" view that fullfills the state requirements. It really doesn't tell me that much though, and that's OK for a young child. It's available for K-12. Then for 3rd and up I like the PASS from Hewitt because it's "leveled," meaning that you take a pretest the first time to determine what level of test you get for each of the three parts. That allows for higher testing if they're ahead in math, and lower testing if they're not. It provides a lot of detail and is available for 3rd - 8th. In our house the CAT-E and PASS take about three hours total, so I plan for about an hour a day over three days. These tests are less expensive.

Both the Iowa/ITBS and Stanford (SAT) require pre-approved tester that meet their requirements(bachelor's degree plus various forms), and the SAT has stricter rules on the administration (must test two non-relatives at the same time). Some homeschool groups offer group testing, and these tests take longer (4-5 hours) and are more expensive ($40-60 depending on if you do it at home or in a group). Both are available for K-12. I am approved to give the Iowa, but prefer the PASS, so we've never used it.

We've never done any test prepping, and frankly don't take testing that seriously :). It's a datapoint for me and a way to fulfill the requirements of the law, but I don't stress about it. The results have never surprised me. In 7th grade we'll start group testing with the SAT and probably do some prep though so they're ready for college entrance testing.