Annual Testing Information for Homeschools registered in North Carolina
Homeschool students are required in the state of North Carolina to take a standardized test annually. Please refer to the NC Department of Non Public Education (NC DNPE) website for the most current information regarding testing requirements.
When should I start testing my student(s)?
Students enrolled in a NC registered homeschool are required to take a national standardized test each year. Remember, your students are not required to be enrolled in a home school until they are age seven. You must register with the NC DNPE by submitting the "Notice of Intent" (NOI) Form. This form can be accessed on the NC DNPE's website.
What test should I use?
Popular tests used by homeschools that are accepted by the NC DNPE are:
TerraNova (CAT 6)
CAT (older version of what is now TerraNova)
Iowa
Woodcock Johnson III
PASS
Brigance
Stanford*
This list does not include all tests accepted by the NC DNPE.
Which test you decide to use should be determined by what you wish to measure and the age of your child. Not all of the tests mentioned above are available for all grades. Also, some require an outside administrator (e.g. Woodcock-Johnson III) while others can be administered by a parent at home (e.g. TerraNova). NC DNPE does recommend, but it is not required, that tests be administrated outside of the home by a third party. Older students may benefit from being tested outside of their home for scholarship, honor society, internships, and/or college admission reasons. Personal factors may also determine the test which best fits your needs. For example, if you prefer a short, simple test, you can purchase the Survey Plus version of TerraNova instead of the full test.
NC Public School End of Grade Tests do not meet state requirements for homeschools.
How do I buy a test?
Triangle Education Assessments (TEA) is a local (Apex, NC) business that provides K-12 academic achievement tests to homeschoolers across the country. They also specialize in cognitive and career assessment as well. Their site has a detailed
Seton Testing Services also provides the homeschool community with educational assessments and is used by many homeschool families.
Academic Excellence offers online testing including CAT.
What level test should I select?
Students often perform at a different level than the one which corresponds to their age/grade. Triangle Education Assessments suggests home educators select the test level which corresponds with the student's reading level.
What time of year should we complete testing?
It is recommended (not required) by the NC DNPE to administer tests in the spring, however tests are accepted from any month of the year.
Can I prepare my student(s) for testing?
There are practice tests available for purchase. Click here to see popular test prep materials.
May I have a student(s) tested locally?
Yes. You can contact Triangle Assessments to have students tested at their office in Apex, NC.
A vendor list is provided by NC DNPE which provides vendors who can administer tests to students.
Also, Roxboro Christian Academy (RCA) has allowed homeschool students to test with their students in the spring for a fee. Please contact the office of RCA in February to register your child to test with RCA students.
What do I do with the test results?
Your school must retain the test results (at your school) for at least one year. Results must also be made available to the NC DNPE upon request. NC DNPE does ask, but not require you, to send test results to them after you have been homeschooling for three years. Test results are not part of public record and therefore are not shared. Testing results are for your school's use.
It is recommended by North Carolinians for Home Education (NCHE) that homeschools send in test results per the NC DNPE's request. NCHE feels it looks favorably on homeschools to willingly comply. The results are filed by homeschool educators who volunteer to assist the NC DNPE with this process. Again, results are not made public or compiled.
When should I start testing my student(s)?
Students enrolled in a NC registered homeschool are required to take a national standardized test each year. Remember, your students are not required to be enrolled in a home school until they are age seven. You must register with the NC DNPE by submitting the "Notice of Intent" (NOI) Form. This form can be accessed on the NC DNPE's website.
What test should I use?
Popular tests used by homeschools that are accepted by the NC DNPE are:
TerraNova (CAT 6)
CAT (older version of what is now TerraNova)
Iowa
Woodcock Johnson III
PASS
Brigance
Stanford*
This list does not include all tests accepted by the NC DNPE.
Which test you decide to use should be determined by what you wish to measure and the age of your child. Not all of the tests mentioned above are available for all grades. Also, some require an outside administrator (e.g. Woodcock-Johnson III) while others can be administered by a parent at home (e.g. TerraNova). NC DNPE does recommend, but it is not required, that tests be administrated outside of the home by a third party. Older students may benefit from being tested outside of their home for scholarship, honor society, internships, and/or college admission reasons. Personal factors may also determine the test which best fits your needs. For example, if you prefer a short, simple test, you can purchase the Survey Plus version of TerraNova instead of the full test.
NC Public School End of Grade Tests do not meet state requirements for homeschools.
How do I buy a test?
Triangle Education Assessments (TEA) is a local (Apex, NC) business that provides K-12 academic achievement tests to homeschoolers across the country. They also specialize in cognitive and career assessment as well. Their site has a detailed
Seton Testing Services also provides the homeschool community with educational assessments and is used by many homeschool families.
Academic Excellence offers online testing including CAT.
What level test should I select?
Students often perform at a different level than the one which corresponds to their age/grade. Triangle Education Assessments suggests home educators select the test level which corresponds with the student's reading level.
What time of year should we complete testing?
It is recommended (not required) by the NC DNPE to administer tests in the spring, however tests are accepted from any month of the year.
Can I prepare my student(s) for testing?
There are practice tests available for purchase. Click here to see popular test prep materials.
May I have a student(s) tested locally?
Yes. You can contact Triangle Assessments to have students tested at their office in Apex, NC.
A vendor list is provided by NC DNPE which provides vendors who can administer tests to students.
Also, Roxboro Christian Academy (RCA) has allowed homeschool students to test with their students in the spring for a fee. Please contact the office of RCA in February to register your child to test with RCA students.
What do I do with the test results?
Your school must retain the test results (at your school) for at least one year. Results must also be made available to the NC DNPE upon request. NC DNPE does ask, but not require you, to send test results to them after you have been homeschooling for three years. Test results are not part of public record and therefore are not shared. Testing results are for your school's use.
It is recommended by North Carolinians for Home Education (NCHE) that homeschools send in test results per the NC DNPE's request. NCHE feels it looks favorably on homeschools to willingly comply. The results are filed by homeschool educators who volunteer to assist the NC DNPE with this process. Again, results are not made public or compiled.