“What grade level is my child?” I often get this question from parents and the answer may not be as simple and straightforward as you may think.
Homeschoolers often follow a self-paced, mastery-based, eclectic approach, that is child-centered and allows for asynchronous development. This means that a child may be on different grade levels for different subjects at the same time. And this is a good thing! This allows for you the meet the child where they are at and teach them in the way that they learn. Where you can enhance and accelerate them in the subjects areas where they are strong, gifted or have a special interest in; and at the same time offer extra remedial support in areas where they are struggling due to various reasons like neurodivergence, and learning differences (e.g. dyslexia, dyscalculia etc.).
You still have a lot of freedom and flexibility in the lower grades, to follow an eclectic and self-paced approach that is delight-directed and child-centered. Most homeschoolers do not even do formal testing before high school, but rather focus on Mastery Learning with continuous assessment and cultivating the love of learning, that will produce lifelong, independent learners.
Why do I need Placement Tests
What you need to keep in mind is that the mastery level, the curriculum content and the scope and sequence of different curricula, curriculum providers and service providers may differ a lot from each other. Homeschool Curricula or Online Schools that are aligned to the South African National Curriculum (CAPS) will differ a lot from curricula aligned to the American National Curriculum or the UK National Curriculum – some may even differ a whole grade level.
The placement test will help you know:
- if a child needs remedial help by starting on a level lower than his or her chorological age grade level;
- if the child is an advanced learner, it is recommended that the child starts on the course that corresponds to his or her grade level to keep them engaged and challenged with the course material;
- If the child tests at or near his or her grade level, it is recommended that the child starts on the course that corresponds to his or her grade level.
Placement Tests come in when you are not sure on what grade level you child your child is and you need to determine that, for various reasons, for example:
- When you switch form a South African CAPS aligned curriculum to e.g. a US or UK curriculum and the Scope & Sequence of the subjects differ a lot.
- When you need to identify and fill in learning gaps when preparing for formal exams in high school.
- When you move from a relaxed eclectic approach to a more formal high school pathway when you are aiming for a specific school exit, like the American High School Diploma, GED, Cambridge AS/A levels and Edexcel, or the South African National Senior Certificate or IEB.
- When you enroll your child with an online school or for certain online subjects that requires you to know their grade level for each subject.
- When your child wants to go back to a mainstream school.
FREE Online Homeschool Placement Tests
1. Math Placement Test
Math-u-See K-12th grade. Placement with a Math-U-See program is skill-based, not grade-based, form Primer to Calculus and content align with the U.S. curriculum.
Singapore Math K-6th grade. Grades align with the U.S. curriculum.
Saxon Math K-12th grade. Grades align with the U.S. curriculum.
Horizons Math K-6th grade. Horizons pre-Algebra gr.8 or pre-Algebra readiness. Horizons Algebra 1 gr.9 or Algebra 1 Readiness. Grades align with the U.S. curriculum.
RightStart Math K-7th grade. Grades align with the U.S. curriculum.
Math Mammoth 1-8th grade. Grades align with the U.S. curriculum.
Teaching Textbooks 3-12th grade (pre-Calculus). Grades align with the U.S. curriculum.
The Good and the Beautiful Math K-7th grade. Grades align with the U.S. curriculum.
Khan Academy Official Praxis Core Prep Math
MobyMax Math Placement Test Placement Tests cover multiple grades with an advanced algorithm that minimizes testing time. Easy-to-read reports detail each student’s current grade level as well as mastery data for each standard within a grade level. Placement Tests automatically assign targeted lessons to fill learning gaps and create a personalized curriculum for each student.
2. English Language Arts Placement Test
Sonlight English LA Assessment K-4th grade. Grades align with the U.S. curriculum.
Sonlight Reading Level Assessment K-4th grade. Grades align with the U.S. curriculum.
The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts Preschool – 8th grade. Grades align with the U.S. curriculum.
Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool Reading Preschool – 7th grade. Grades align with the U.S. curriculum.
Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool English Language Arts 1-7th grade. Grades align with the U.S. curriculum.
Khan Academy Praxis Core Prep Writing & Khan Academy Praxis Core Prep Reading
MobyMax English Language, Foundational Reading & Reading Level Placement Tests cover multiple grades with an advanced algorithm that minimizes testing time. Easy-to-read reports detail each student’s current grade level as well as mastery data for each standard within a grade level. Placement Tests automatically assign targeted lessons to fill learning gaps and create a personalized curriculum for each student.
3. Science Placement Test
Lifepac Science Primary Middle School 2-8th grade.
Lifepac Science High School 7-12th grade.
Khan Academy MCAT Prep The Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®) is a standardized, multiple-choice examination designed to assess your problem-solving, critical thinking, and knowledge of natural, behavioral, and social science concepts and principles prerequisite to the study of medicine.
4. Social Studies (History & Geography) Placement Test
Lifepac History & Geography Primary Middle School 2-8th grade.
Lifepac History & Geography High School 7-12th grade.
5. GED Prep
For GED info and resources see Eunoia The GED as a Homeschool Exit
6. SAT Prep
Khan Academy Digital SAT Prep & Khan Academy LSAT Prep & Khan Academy Digital SAT Reading & Writing Prep
College Board PSAT 8/9 & PSAT10
Special Needs & Learning Differences Diagnostic Testing (not free, cost $25)
Diagnostic testing can determine several types ofspecial needsin your children, which is the first step to evaluating tools and resources for better homeschooling experiences. After all, when parents are aware of how their children learn best, they can adjust the homeschool schedule and lessons to accommodate those differences.
- Seton Testing Services: Let’s Go Learn!This website has a few diagnostic assessments available. Parents can choose from 5 different diagnostic tests for reading and math.
- 2 reading assessments:
- 3 math assessments:
