Ep. 109 - Homeschool Testing: When to Test, When to Skip, and Which Tests Are Worth It

Every spring, testing season arrives — and homeschool families face a question that's equal parts legal, philosophical, and personal. When should homeschoolers use standardized testing — and when should they skip it entirely? 🟢 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). In this episode, you'll learn: Why standardized tests were never designed with homeschoolers in mind When homeschool testing actually serves your family — and when to skip it Which standardized test is best for homeschoolers (Iowa, Stanford 10, CAT, MAP Growth, CLT compared) What states require standardized testing for homeschoolers — and alternatives most families don't know exist Whether homeschool kids do better on standardized tests Free standardized testing for homeschool prep resources How to use testing strategically — not reflexively Sponsors: BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 Browse BJU Press Homeschool Curriculum CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Visit CTCMath Curriculum Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings Resources Mentioned: Homeschool Laws By State — View state requirements BJU Press Online Testing — Iowa Assessments + Stanford 10 online Free Quote Notecard — "Fish and tree" quote printable The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly providers Thrive Homeschool Community — Build a homeschool with excellence Other episodes for you: Why Homeschooling High School Isn't As Scary As It Seems The 5 Myths of Homeschooling for High School Underemployment, Student Debt, and the Homeschool Advantage Connect with Christy-Faith: Instagram — @christy_faith_homeschool TikTok — @christy_faith Website Homeschool Rising — my book 🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us! (00:00) - Introduction (04:58) - The Wrong Ruler (07:32) - When Testing Actually Serves You (11:29) - When to Skip Testing (13:46) - Which Test Is Right for Your Family (20:01) - What Your State Actually Requires (21:54) - Wrap-Up + Key Takeaways