Testing recommendations?

We used the Peabody and LOVED it.  It’s very laid-back, all oral.  We did not prepare for it at all, and my 2nd grader tested well above grade level and my 1st grader right at.  You basically sit across the table from the tester and she/he has a booklet standing between (like a pyramid – ugh, what’s the word???).  She asks the question based on what is on the student’s side of the booklet, and the student gives his/her answer.  I think most, if not all, were multiple choice.

This was the first time we had used the Peabody.  Last year my oldest did the Seton or the CAT…  I can’t remember which.  That was the week-long, Mom does the testing, fill-in-the-little-circles-perfectly kind.  Oh, my goodness, my poor little girl hated it more than I did, and I really, seriously hated it!    My 2 oldest girls and I agreed – we are doing the Peabody from now on.

HTH!

Actually, the Peabody is very simple – if you can find out about it.  I happened across a site for Peabody testers in MN.  The official name of the test is the Peabody Individual Achievement Test (PIAT-R).  It is untimed, and you get it graded right then and there.  It is a test in which the tester keeps asking questions until the student gets 5 out of 7 consecutive answers incorrect.  So you actually get what grade level the child is in, not just if they’re at or above typical grade level.  It is a standardized, nationally norm-referenced achievement test, so it should be accepted in all states (although if your state/local area hasn’t heard of it, you may have to provide some additional documentation about it).  It’s nice, too, because it can be taken year-round, and the scores are calculated based on what part of the schoolyear you’re in (ie, 1st grade, 1st quarter, 3rd grade 3rd quarter, etc.).  It is used K-12 grades.

Here’s a little bit about it:

http://www.pearsonassessments.com/HAIWEB/Cultures/en-us/Productdetail.htm?Pid=PAa29060&Mode=summary

Here are a few names of testers:

http://hsadventures.org/test/peabody

Funny, the first one listed at the above link is the lady we used.  She was awesome!  🙂  Perhaps you can look up PIAT test *state* to find a tester in your area.  That’s how I found mine.  Or maybe your state homeschool association or whatever you have in your area.

HTH!  Let me know if you have more questions.  Personally, I feel this is the most CM-friendly test you can get.  🙂

PS.  I hate testing, too.  I already know how well or not well my kids know things.  But since I am forced to do it, I’d rather do a test that is actually helpful to me rather than a boring, dry hindrance, kwim?  😉

I wondered how expensive it is. I found a website of a lady that does it over Skype for $40. I wondered if that was just for her time, or is that the whole cost. The website wasn’t that informative to me. I think I’m really interested in this test. Who does yours Iamasahm? I’ve had no luck in searching for a tester in Ohio or even getting much info on the test.

Thanks

The link didn’t work for me.

I’m not a member of any group, but asking at the library is a good idea. 

Has anyone had experience with this tester? http://www.homeschoolresourcesp.com/rich_text.html

Thanks