Standardized Testing

Mother of Divine Grace School recommends that students take a standardized test each year. Families can order standardized tests from Seton Testing Services. Enrolled families can order select tests at a discount from MODG.

• The CAT-E Survey Test is offered for grades 4-12. This is a shorter and less expensive version (essentially an "overview") of the CAT test. This test is a nationally normed standardized test that measures achievement in the areas of Reading, Language Arts and Math. This test costs $29.
• The TerraNova Test 2nd Edition (CAT/6) Complete Battery Achievement Test is offered to grades K-12. This is nationally-recognized, norm-and criterion-referenced standardized test administered to public, private, and home schools students across the country. The test costs $43.
• The Iowa Assessments Form E is offered for grades K-12.This test monitors growth using a continuous, researched-based, vertical scale to measure academic progress. This test costs: $32-$45.
• The Stanford 10 Online Achievement Test (SAT 10) is offered to grades 3-12. This is nationally-recognized, norm-and criterion-referenced standardized test administered to public, private, and home schools students across the country. The test costs $35. Note: Enrolled families can order an online version of this test for Grades 3-10 from MODG at a discount; see the family site for more details.
• The PASS Test for grades 3-8 is an untimed test that measures basic reading, language, and math skills. The PASS test is particularly good for students who do not do well with time limits. This test costs $29 and is available from Hewitt Homeschooling Resources: www.hewitthomeschooling.com/test/tmain.aspx
• The Let's Go Learn Reading/Math Assessments are offered for grades K-12. While not a standardized test Let's Go Learn works with public schools, private schools, and homeschools across the country to provide tests that measure achievement in reading and math (two separate tests, one per subject). The test is administered online with flexible time limits; it can also be taken in multiple sittings, as it is able to be paused. Note: Enrolled families can order this test for from MODG at a discount; see the family site for more details.

Most testing materials are rentals and students are given two-three weeks to take the test and return undamaged testing materials to the supplier. Please be aware that there are some test restrictions, states where some of these tests are unavailable. Keep this in mind when considering which tests to take or which company to use.

College Entrance Exams

Students in high school should plan on taking one or more of the college entrance exams. Note: High School students who are preparing to take the ACT or SAT should contact the college or colleges that they are interested in to ascertain which test they require.

• CLT8: The CLT 8 is designed as a pre-high school test to prepare students for the official CLT and to identify academic strengths/weaknesses as they prepare for high school. It is open to students who are currently in 7th or 8th grade and can be administered online in your own home. Note: Enrolled families can order this test for from MODG at a discount; see the family site for more details.
• CLT9: The CLT9 is a preparatory tool for parents to use to gauge where their 9-10th grade students stand academically. This paper test is able to be ordered and administered at any time. For more information please visit www.cltexam.com. Note: Enrolled families can order this test for from MODG at a discount; see the family site for more details.
• CLT10: The CLT10 from Classical Learning Initiatives is an alternative to the PSAT. There are several things about the CLT10 that make it exciting, especially for us as a distance learning school, as it is taken online and is also free to register for! Like the PSAT's relationship to the SAT, the CLT10 is a scaled back version of the CLT College Entrance Exam, but still provides excellent scholarship opportunities. For more information please visit www.cltexam.com.
• PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10: Offered by the College Board in October of the school year. It is offered to 10th and 11th graders. Students need to call local public or private schools to find a test location.
• CLT College Entrance Exam: The CLT College Entrance Exam from Classical Learning Initiatives is a venture our founder, Laura Berquist, has been consulting for. This test is only accepted at a small group of colleges, although that number is quickly growing. Most students take the ACT or SAT in addition to this test.
  

  "The Classic Learning Test (CLT) invites students to wrestle with works of the greatest minds in the history of Western thought across literary and mathematical content. Rich material reflecting both theistic and secular perspectives benefits and enriches the student in the test-taking process. Among standardized college entrance exams, the CLT provides the most accurate and rigorous measure of academic formation, accomplishment, and potential."

  For more information on the exam, visit www.cltexam.com/home.
• SAT: Offered by the College Board many times throughout the school year. It is generally taken by 11th or 12th graders. Students can register online.
• ACT: Offered by the ACT company many times throughout the course of a school year. It is generally taken by 11th or 12th graders. Students can register online.

The College Board's and the ACT's web-sites contains a wealth of information about how to register for these tests, practice testing materials, as well as information about colleges, college applications, financial aid and scholarships.