Homeschooling laws differ in every state or province.  In some areas, homeschoolers simply file a notice of intent the first year they decide to homeschool and then have no further action required.  However, in most locations, students are required to take standardized testing either annually or in specific grade levels.  In most cases, standardized tests are administered in the spring.

Many homeschoolers welcome these tests and view them as a confirmation of a job well done; others find them to be intimidating and scary and worry that they will mean the end of their right to homeschool.  However, in most cases, homeschoolers end up more relaxed about the tests once they have experienced them a few times.

If your child is in elementary school, be sure to check your state or province’s homeschool laws to determine whether a test is required.  In areas that do not require annual testing, testing is usually required in grades 3, 5 & 8.  Click here to learn the laws in your state. 

If you have a high school freshman, begin looking into the PSAT testing in the spring of the freshman year.  This testing is administered in the fall; however, most schools must order the tests in May so checking into this early will ensure that your student can participate.  It is too early for this test to count towards scholarships and college recruiting; however, it is a terrific opportunity to practice the test before the junior year.  Not all schools administer this to their sophomores so be prepared to wait for the junior year to take the test.   

If you have a high school sophomore, your state may require him or her to take a state high school exit exam, which is usually given in January of the sophomore or junior year.  The easiest way to learn if this is a requirement in your area, is to contact your local high school.  If it is required, they will usually allow your homeschooler to participate. 

If your student will be a high school junior next year and plans to attend college, be sure to register him or her for the PSATs (this test can only be administered on campus so call your high school to participate).  The PSATs are given in October and are used for college recruitment and scholarships.  Your child may also qualify as a national merit finalist, which will put him or her in a great position for scholarships. 

If you have a high school junior (or senior who has not taken them yet), you should begin preparing him or her to take the SAT, SAT II Subject Exams, or the ACT.  Most colleges and universities have a minimum score requirement and many scholarships are based on results.  You can use on-line programs like www.collegeboard.com or www.march2success.com or purchase a paper handbook. 

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