Halcyon Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 I have a friend who just started hs-ing this year, and her son (3rd grade) needs to take a standardized test for state requirements. She's VERY nervous that her son won't do well (I think he'll do fine) as he's behind in some subject areas. She wanted to know what is the EASIEST standardized test that she can administer at home (and I know this is probably a subjective question)--I think there's CAT, ITBS and PASS, right? I could not answer her question-can anyone help? I was thinking, all the tests are weighted, right? So perhaps even if one of the tests is "harder "it's probably weighted differently? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicksMama-Zack's Mama Too Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 I've used it for years with no or very little test prep. http://www.setontesting.com/ hth K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelaNYC Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 We love the CAT-E. We've used it for 5th and 7th grades, but my dd (who was an unschooler) did very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 CAT-E is a piece of cake. I've used both it and the ITBS--I use the ITBS because it gives a ton more information, but the CAT is way easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted January 15, 2011 Author Share Posted January 15, 2011 Thanks everyone, that's what I thought. The ITBS is "middle of the road" in terms of difficulty, correct? And would she take the "3rd grade test" at the end of third grade? Or the 4th grade test, since that's the grade he's going into (sorry for all the questions, we've never tested!! LOL) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionfamily1999 Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 I have a friend who just started hs-ing this year, and her son (3rd grade) needs to take a standardized test for state requirements. She's VERY nervous that her son won't do well (I think he'll do fine) as he's behind in some subject areas. She wanted to know what is the EASIEST standardized test that she can administer at home (and I know this is probably a subjective question)--I think there's CAT, ITBS and PASS, right? I could not answer her question-can anyone help? I was thinking, all the tests are weighted, right? So perhaps even if one of the tests is "harder "it's probably weighted differently? Thanks! https://www.familylearning.org/tests_basi.php We used the CAT5 the first time and the tess was very stressful, because it took so long. This one is fast and (in ds's opinion) easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MariannNOVA Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 CAT-E -- we didn't use it, but that's what I gleaned from all my reading and from everyone here. It was my fallback test if I didn't get it in gear in time for the VA deadline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoVanGogh Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 I would suggest that your friend's child take the TAKS exam for practice. http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index3.aspx?id=44&menu_id=793 The results can't be used to meet her state's requirements, but to help the child get familiar with the style of questions. Spectrum has standardized test practice workbooks. They are sold at most major bookstores. We have taken the ITBS, but I don't have anything to compare it to. It did take much longer than I anticipated, but I was pleased with DS's results. I didn't do any practice or prep work before DS took the ITBS. Since then, I have spent 1/2 day, one day a month, on practice test taking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionfamily1999 Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 Thanks everyone, that's what I thought. The ITBS is "middle of the road" in terms of difficulty, correct? And would she take the "3rd grade test" at the end of third grade? Or the 4th grade test, since that's the grade he's going into (sorry for all the questions, we've never tested!! LOL) Oh, it would be the 3rd grade test. It's to make sure they learned what they were supposed to in order to pass the grade ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 I would use the PASS test the first time. It is not timed so there is even less pressure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keniki Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 I would use the PASS test the first time. It is not timed so there is even less pressure. :iagree: I agree. They can even work on it for a while, take a break to eat a snack, and come back to it later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 I've administered the PASS test and the ITBS and of the two the PASS is infinitely easier to administer. It's shorter and there's no time limit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margo out of lurking Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 (edited) The PASS test is not accepted across the board. I was under the impression that it was not nationally standardized, but I'm **not** positive that is the reason. I know it did not meet Colorado state law for testing. Some districts accepted it anyway; others did not. My kids have taken the ITBS a few times. It was convenient at the time; it was also expensive, about $50 each. Last year, they did the CAT-E. My goal was to meet state requirements as cheaply as possible. It was $25 per test, anyone could give it (I couldn't give ITBS), it was a short and fast test to take. I would have given it over two days, but my kids opted to take it all at one sitting. I also appreciated the super-fast turnaround for scoring, as I procrastinated and was close to my state's deadline. We'll definitely choose CAT-E in the future, unless our needs change for some reason. Edited January 16, 2011 by Kristine out of lurking Adding that **not**. It's an important distinction! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 The PASS test is not accepted across the board. You're right, it is not--and, frankly, it shouldn't be. It is not the best test in the world. It is extremely old for one thing. Check out Buros Institute of Mental Measurements for more information. They have two reviews of the PASS test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZooRho Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 She should make sure what ever she uses is acceptable in her state. And she should know what kind of results the state is looking for. What state is she in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted January 17, 2011 Author Share Posted January 17, 2011 Florida. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 If she's doing this for state requirements, make sure the test she chooses will meet those. For instance, in GA, PASS does *not* qualify. If I were going for the absolute easiest for both of them (and most likely to fulfill the requirements), CAT would be my suggestion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted January 17, 2011 Author Share Posted January 17, 2011 thank you abbey. i will advise her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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