Homeschool Testing Online: A Clear and Supportive Guide for Parents

Open the page content below to discover everything you need to know about homeschooling. Our page offers general information to get you started.

There is no single yes-or-no answer. Homeschool testing requirements depend on where you live. In the United States, homeschooling laws are set at the state level, than by the federal government.

• Some states require annual standardized testing.
• Some allow parents to choose between testing or a portfolio evaluation.
• Some states do not require formal testing at all.

Even in states where testing is optional, many families choose to use standardized assessments. These tests offer a clear, widely recognized way to document academic progress and often make annual reporting more straightforward and organized.

Because homeschool regulations can change, as a teacher I always encourage parents to check their state’s current requirements before planning assessments. That said, in states where testing or evaluations are required, most accept nationally recognized standardized achievement tests.

Many families choose standardized, norm-referenced tests because they are widely accepted by evaluators and school districts and clearly show how a child’s performance compares to national benchmarks in an annual homeschool report.

Below is an overview of homeschool testing and evaluation requirements across the United States. The information is based on publicly available guidance from HSLDA.org, but families should always verify current regulations with their state or local education authority, as laws and reporting expectations may change.

For clarity, states are grouped into three general categories: High, Moderate, and Low regulation. Use the tabs below to explore each category and view the corresponding tables.

Preparation is not about pushing children beyond their limits. It is about helping them feel calm, confident, and familiar with what they will encounter on test day. When expectations are clear and the process is understood, testing becomes far less intimidating for both students and parents.

To support families at this stage, we’ve created a free homeschool testing checklist that walks through each step clearly and simply.

⇒ Download our free PDF checklist here.

Most online homeschool testing follows a straightforward process:

1. Confirm your state or evaluator’s testing requirements

2. Choose an accepted standardized assessment

3. Practice with test-style questions

4. Complete the online test through an approved provider

5. Submit results as part of your homeschool evaluation or annual report

Preparation focuses on familiarity, confidence, and reduced test anxiety. In most states, there is no minimum passing score. The test is used to show academic progress, not to determine promotion or failure.

Choosing the right online assessment can feel like a big decision. Many homeschool families, however, find that digital testing reduces pressure by offering a familiar format, flexible scheduling, and clear, organized results.

When permitted by state regulations or evaluators, the following standardized assessments are commonly used for homeschool evaluations. For each of these tests, we offer dedicated preparation packs available across grade levels and designed to help students practice test-style questions and become comfortable with the format and expectations of the assessment.

To make preparation even easier, we offer a special homeschool membership that provides 12 months of access to our Prep Packs for MAP, i-Ready, Star, SAT, CogAT, and CAT4 across all available grade levels. This membership includes up to 3 learner profiles under one account, each with separate progress tracking. Students can retake tests as often as needed and add any of these supported prep packs as their testing needs evolve, all in one adaptable, convenient membership.

• Read the boxes below to find out more about each test's features, requirements, and typical use cases.
• Click on the box to find a one-stop shop for mastering the assessment:

Our test preparation practice packs are built specifically for state-recognized, norm-referenced exams, including:

• Realistic question types
• Grade-level coverage aligned with major homeschool tests
• Step-by-step explanations parents can use for instruction
• Practice that reduces test anxiety, especially for first-time testers

You don’t need to “teach to the test.”
You just need your child to understand the format, timing, and expectations.

Prepare Once. Test Confidently. Submit with Peace of Mind.

If your state requires testing, or you simply want solid documentation, proper preparation makes the difference between stress and confidence.

Some states allow formal evaluations instead of standardized testing. These may include certified teacher portfolio reviews, written evaluations, or alternative assessments. Always confirm what your state or evaluator accepts.

In some states and for older students, college entrance exams such as the SAT may be accepted as academic documentation or used to demonstrate college readiness.

There is no single nationwide list of “approved” tests. Most states require a norm-referenced achievement test or another assessment approved by the state or evaluator. Commonly accepted options may include tests such as the Iowa Assessments, Stanford Achievement Test (Stanford 10), TerraNova or  MAP Growth, Renaissance Star, i-Ready, FastBridge, PASS, CLT, CTBS, or CTP when permitted by local regulations. Always check your state’s homeschool law or ask your evaluator which tests they accept.

Many homeschool-approved tests do not require a third-party proctor and can be parent-administered, depending on the test and state rules. Many modern homeschool tests are also offered online and provide fast or instant results.

Most homeschool standardized tests assess reading comprehension, language arts, and math. Some also include science or social studies

Even when testing is “optional,” unprepared testing can backfire.

From years of working with homeschool families, we see parents use test prep to:

• Submit compliant evaluations with confidence
• Avoid remediation letters or follow-up reviews
• Prepare students who’ve never taken a formal test
• Create clean records for re-entry, scholarships, or college planning

Testing isn’t just paperwork: it’s protection.

Homeschool families also choose to test voluntarily to document academic progress, identify strengths and learning gaps, support annual homeschool reports, and prepare students for future academic studies.

On average, homeschool students perform well on standardized tests and often score higher than public school peers.