August 14, 2024 – Benefits of Test Taking In High School

Mercy Every Minute

Deborah Wuehler, TOS Senior Editor

Testing: A Gauge To Guide Us

Are you worried about how well your children will do in high school or college? What about those foreign words called the SAT or ACT tests? One thing you can do during your children’s high school years is prepare them for test taking, especially if they are geared toward attending a college or university. Scholarships are often given to homeschool children with good SAT or ACT test scores. Some of these resources below are as easy as one math problem a day or one new vocabulary word a day. So, start researching now and your children will be well ahead of the game! You can start here:

www.collegeboard.com
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/act_sat.htm
http://number2.com/

In Colorado, we have to test our children every odd year. As nervous as I was, my children always tested great. Even if you are not required to test where you are, here are a few benefits of testing at least during high school:

• Testing can be used as a gauge to guide us in our teaching choices for the next year. We find out what areas need work, and which ones we can loosen up on.
• Testing can be that confirmation that no matter how poorly we think we have done, our children have excelled despite us. It encourages us to continue on the journey.
• Our children learn to take the first of many tests that may come in their academic future.

Preparing for a test takes conscious effort, pre-planning, time management, and study skills—all of these will be a benefit to them in any future career they choose.

Want to know how homeschoolers test overall? Check out NHERI’s Research Facts on Homeschooling.

There is super helpful information in the pages of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine:

Zan Tyler: The Pros and Cons of Standardized Testing
Jeannie Fulbright: High School Recordkeeping Plain and Simple
Andrew Pudewa: College Applications: Steps to an Exceptional Essay
Mary Hood: Helping Students with College Entrance
Amy Barr: Four Crucial College Skills
Jeff Ober: Exploring Careers
Jeanette Ritch: Oh, the Places They Will Go! (Also explains the SAT vs. ACT)

~Deborah

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

 Belhaven University is Your Haven. With over 80+ programs taught from a Christian Worldview, Belhaven offers a place for homeschooled students to thrive! Learn more: https://www.belhaven.edu/admission/undergrad/apply/home-school.html 

Todd Wilson

Familyman Ministries

Tests?

Long, long ago in a not-so-far-away place (like my home), I asked my wife, who had been homeschooling our young children for a short time, “How are the kids doing on their tests?” I was raised in a public school and my school grid said—you take tests.

“I’m not giving them any tests,” she answered.

“You’re not giving them tests?” I said, flabbergasted by her answer, “Why would you not give them tests?!!”

“Well, I’m sitting next to them all day long. I know how they’re doing. Why would I need to give them tests to see how they’re doing?”

I thought that was brilliant thinking then, and I think it’s brilliant thinking today. Now I know others would say, “Well, if you don’t give them tests now, they won’t know how to take tests in college.”

“Hogwash,” I respond.

My oldest CLEPed out of many college classes and he had never taken a test in his entire homeschooled life and he passed all those CLEP tests with flying colors.

But here’s the deal: if you want to give them tests because you think it will benefit them in the future . . . do it! But if you don’t want to give them tests because you think all it does is measure how they do on tests, and because you already know how they’re doing, and because you want them to love learning (not learning to pass tests) . . . then don’t give them tests . . . and don’t feel guilty about it.

That’s the beauty and logic of homeschooling.

Be real,

Todd

About the author

Todd Wilson is a dad, granddad, writer, conference speaker, and former pastor. Todd’s humor and down to earth realness have made him a favorite speaker at homeschool conventions, retreats, and churches across the country. As founder of Familyman Ministries and the Smiling Homeschooler, his passion and mission are to remind dads and moms of what’s most important through weekly e-mails, podcasts (The Familyman Show & The Smiling Homeschooler), seminars, and books and products that encourage parents. Todd, and his wife Debbie, still homeschool two of their eight children (six have graduated with four married) in northern Indiana. You can read more at www.familymanweb.com.

American School offers affordable, accredited, print and online courses in grades 6-12, with full-year programs and individual subjects available. Visit www.americanschool.org to learn more.

Alexandria Letkeman

Benefits of Test Taking in High School

Fill in the bubbles, proctors, timed essays. Blech! Who would voluntarily subject their children to such boredom and torture on an otherwise pleasant Saturday afternoon? I know one person. Me! Taking college admission exams is valuable to many college-bound high school students for four reasons. 

1. Educational Benchmark. College entrance exams provide a baseline for academic performance. They help you measure your student’s abilities against everyone else. This can be particularly useful for homeschooling families, because it provides an external validation of your student’s hard work and progress. These exams can also provide peace of mind for the parents. Knowing your child is well-prepared can boost confidence and be incredibly encouraging.
   
2. College Admissions. Standardized tests are critical for college admissions. High scores on the SAT, ACT, or CLT can open doors to prestigious universities and scholarship opportunities. Some colleges require test scores from every student who applies and will not award admission or scholarships without them. Other colleges strongly prefer to see the scores included on a transcript.
   
3. Life Skills. Taking these exams can improve critical thinking and test-taking skills. Studying teaches students how to manage their time, handle pressure, and develop effective study habits. These are life skills that extend beyond tests, and they can even be included in the high school transcript! Check out our article The Homeschool Advantage on the SAT and ACT
   
4. Scholarships. Test scores are closely tied to college scholarships. Some colleges give automatic scholarships tied directly to test scores. Preparing for tests, rather than taking tests cold, can earn your child next-level scholarships. Investing time, effort, and resources in test preparation can have a huge payoff worth thousands of dollars. 

While the prospect of standardized tests may seem overwhelming, the benefits for both homeschooling parents and students are substantial. These exams validate your child’s education, open up admission and scholarship opportunities, and prepare them for their professional futures. With some preparation and dedicated study time, these tests can pave the way for college admission and career success. 

About the author

Alexandria Letkeman began homeschooling with her family in middle school and has recently graduated with honors in 2020. Together with her husband, she has developed a passion for financial literacy, classical writing, and the freedom that homeschooling provides. In pursuit of those passions, she and her husband aim to continue the legacy of The HomeScholar and continue helping homeschool parents homeschool with confidence. One day, Alex plans to start a homesteading farm in Texas featuring mini cows.

Homeschool Math Classes: We make learning as easy and fun as possible. Space is limited! Email mathimagined@gmail.com to learn more! www.mathimagined.com 
908-336-3770

Pillar of Knowledge

Roger Smith

This Test is Unnecessary!

During my childhood, television programs were often interrupted by an announcement, “This is a test of the emergency broadcast system. This is only a test.” We never questioned the need for it. It just seemed like a fact of life to be endured. But are tests necessary?

It depends. If college-bound, yes, because they are required for admission to most colleges. If not college-bound, or if many years remain in primary or secondary education, it is only necessary if required by your state statute. But a better question may be, “Does it benefit you or your student?

Runners run, often for fun. But even the “run-for-fun” people will time themselves for various reasons. The more serious runners enter races that compare them to other runners and award recognition. This is a test.

Likewise, taking an academic test helps the student and the teacher know better how learning is progressing. It can reveal areas that need strengthening, but it can also just be a practice of recalling information and logically working through ideas to come to a “best answer.”

Repeat test taking can be the reward for one who has made significant changes and effort. Though it is not necessary, it may be beneficial.

About the author

Dr. Roger Smith is a family doctor in rural Louisiana, where he and his wife, Jan, raised four adventurous children who are all grown, making their own mark in the world. He speaks and writes on parenting issues and produces brief videos that can be found on Facebook @ParentingMattersNow.

Is your student ready to ace the SAT? If not, SAT/ACT Math Prep on SchoolhouseTeachers.com is the next elective your high school student needs to take. Students can complete this course at their own pace and in any order they choose. With videos, printables, practice tests, online games, and more, students thoroughly explore every aspect of taking the SAT and ACT. Available on SchoolhouseTeachers.com.