Homeschool Standardized Achievement Testing Services
Basic Skills administers the California Achievement Test (CAT)/TerraNova 2 and TerraNova 3 year-round in both group and private settings. Both tests are nationally normed and evaluate three content areas: reading, language, and math. Both in-person and remote testing options are available to interested families. Additionally, parents may administer achievement tests to their own children. State rules regulating the administration of achievement tests vary.
To test in-person in a group setting, scroll down to 2024 In-Person Group Test Dates and follow the registration instructions. In-person group tests are coordinated by qualified examiners and added as they become available. Testing fees vary based on the number of students testing. Remote group testing dates are listed below.
Why Test?
Test scores are useful for:
- Assessing academic strengths and weaknesses
- Planning future lessons
- Complying with state requirements
- Recording student academic progress
2024 Remote Testing Rates
(per student)
In-person testing rates may vary.
| Test Type | Survey Only | Survey Plus | Survey/ Plus PER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Test | $100 | $140 | $12/$18 |
| Semi-Private Test | $75 | $95 | $12/$18 |
| Group Test | $60 | $75 | $12/$18 |
| Parent Administered Test | $50 | — | $12/– |
| Please note: An $8 fee for 3rd grade tests (to cover consumable materials) is added at checkout. | |||
| Private and semi-private tests are available throughout the year. Call 503-557-2223. | |||
Testing Options
Remote Group Testing through Basic Skills
Ready to sign up? Click Here
Test in the comfort and privacy of your own home by joining a remote group test date below. Your testing experience will be led remotely* by a qualified examiner. The test sign-up process is very simple:
- Chose a date below to test
- Complete an on-line registration form
- Click to submit your reservation form and pay the associated testing fees
Test materials will be mailed to you approximately one week prior to your scheduled test. Once you complete your testing, simply mail your student’s test back to Basic Skills in the prepaid, stamped envelope we provide. You’ll receive test results in about two weeks.
* A computer with a camera is necessary to ensure the integrity of your test.
Parent Administered Testing
Ready to sign up? Click Here
Test in the comfort and privacy of your own home by joining a remote group test date below. Your testing experience will be led remotely* by a qualified examiner. The test sign-up process is very simple:
- Choose a week to test
- Complete an on-line registration form
- Click to submit your reservation form and pay the associated testing fees
Test materials will be mailed to you approximately two to three days prior to the week you will be giving your test. Testing must be completed within the time period indicated on the registration form. Once you complete your testing, simply mail your student’s test back to Basic Skills in the prepaid, stamped envelope we provide. You’ll receive test results in about two weeks.
* A computer with a camera is necessary to ensure the integrity of your test.
If you are an Oregon resident, the use and results of this test are for informational purposes only. Achievement tests must be administered by neutral and qualified examiners as defined by OAR 339.035 to satisfy state testing requirements.
Schedule a Private or Semi-Private Test
Test in the comfort and privacy of your own home by scheduling a private or semi-private test. Survey Private tests are two hours and 30 minutes long. Survey Plus tests are three hours and forty-five minutes long. Both tests are administered remotely by one of our employee examiners. Semi-private tests work exactly like private tests, but they have a minimum of 2 students. Some restrictions apply based on grade levels being tested. These tests can be scheduled year-round.
The test scheduling process is very simple:
- Call 503-650-5282 (office) or Jenny direct at 503-557-2223.
You can also email info@basicskills.net to schedule an appointment. - Once your appointment date and time is scheduled, complete an on-line registration form
- Click to submit your registration form and pay the associated testing fees
Test materials will be mailed to you approximately one week prior to your scheduled test. Once you complete your testing, simply mail your student’s test materials back to Basic Skills in the prepaid, stamped envelope we provide. You’ll receive test results in about two weeks.
Test appointments are considered confirmed upon submission of a registration form and payment of testing fees. Because appointments are on a first-come, first-serve basis, we recommend scheduling early to better ensure you get the date and time you desire.
Ready to confirm your appointment? Click a button below to complete a registration form.
Please contact the coordinator listed for testing details and to sign up.
By default, this list is sorted alphabetically by city, but you may sort it by clicking the column of your choice to find the location, test date, or coordinator you need.
| Location | Test Date | Coordinator | Contact Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaverton | Wednesday, June 5 | Karen Pautz | Email: kmpautz@yahoo.com |
| Beaverton | Friday, June 14 | Karen Pautz | Email: kmpautz@yahoo.com |
| Beaverton | Thursday, June 20 | Karen Pautz | Email: kmpautz@yahoo.com |
| Bend | Monday, May 20 | Kathie Martinez | Phone: 541-389-3758 Email: kathie4testing@gmail.com |
| Estacada | Monday, June 3 | Jenna Cornelissen | Phone: 206-999-7705 Email: efbc.coop@gmailclm |
| Hermiston | Thursday, June 6 (tentative) | Alison Herman | Phone: 541-667-7135 |
| Klamath Falls | Thursday, May 16 | Basic Skills | Phone: 503-650-5282 Email: info@basicskills.net |
| Lake Oswego | Tuesday, May 7 | Basic Skills | Phone: 503-650-5282 Email: info@basicskills.net |
| McMinnville | Tuesday, June 11 | Lisa Kent | Email: Seeking971@gmail.com |
| Pendelton | Tuesday, May 14 | Janet Haddock | Text: 541-215-9131 Email: witnesstree@eoni.com To Register: https://pendletonhomeschool.org/Oregon-State-Testing |
| Prineville | Tuesday, May 21 | Casey McKinnon | Phone: 541-420-3537 Email: mckinnonfamilyfarm@gmail.com |
| Scholls | Thursday, May 9 | Judy Fast | Phone: 503-349-6964 Email: Judyfast@kfast.org |
| Sweet Home | Wednesday, May 29 | Cynthia Burford | Phone: 541-401-2810 Email: cybur10@gmail.colm |
| Sweet Home | Tuesday, June 4 | Cynthia Burford | Phone: 541-401-2810 Email: cybur10@gmail.colm |
| Sweet Home | Wednesday, June 5 | Cynthia Burford | Phone: 541-401-2810 Email: cybur10@gmail.colm |
| The Dalles | Tuesday, May 28 | Alex Smith | Phone: 541-980-5580 Email: theartsmithy@gmail.com |
| The Dalles | Tuesday, May 29 | Alex Smith | Phone: 541-980-5580 Email: theartsmithy@gmail.com |
| Tigard | Monday, May 20 | Basic Skills | Phone: 503-650-8282 Email: info@basicskills.net |
| Warren | Thursday, June 6 | Shelley Harley | Phone: 503-543-7228 |
Please contact the coordinator listed for testing details and to sign up.
List is sorted alphabetically by city.
| Location | Test Date | Coordinator | Contact Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ready to Register? Click HERE! | |||
| Vancouver | May 17 | Heather Cates | Phone: 360-773-3806 Email: hcates5gmail.com |
| Vancouver | May 24 | Heather Cates | Phone: 360-773-3806 Email: hcates5gmail.com |
| Vancouver | May 30 | Heather Cates | Phone: 360-773-3806 Email: hcates5gmail.com |
| Vancouver | June 14 | Heather Cates | Phone: 360-773-3806 Email: hcates5gmail.com |
| Vancouver | June 15 | Heather Cates | Phone: 360-773-3806 Email: hcates5gmail.com |
| Vancouver | June 28 | Heather Cates | Phone: 360-773-3806 Email: hcates5gmail.com |
| Vancouver | June 29 | Heather Cates | Phone: 360-773-3806 Email: hcates5gmail.com |
| Vancouver | July 12 | Heather Cates | Phone: 360-773-3806 Email: hcates5gmail.com |
Please contact the coordinator listed for testing details and to sign up.
All tests begin at 9:00am.
3rd graders finish around 11:30am. Tests for 4-12th graders at 12:00pm.
Test Date | Grades Offered | Registration Deadline | Registration Deadline (Outside OR, WA) | Host |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 15 | 3-12 | March 5 | March 3 | Basic Skills |
| April 19 | 3-12 | April 9 | April 7 | Basic Skills |
| May 3 | 3-12 | April 23 | April 21 | Basic Skills |
| May 17 | 3-12 | May 7 | May 5 | Basic Skills |
| May 31 | 3-12 | May 21 | May 19 | Basic Skills |
| June 14 | 3-12 | June 4 | June 2 | Basic Skills |
| June 28 | 3-12 | June 18 | June 16 | Basic Skills |
| July 12 | 3-12 | July 2 | June 30 | Basic Skills |
| July 26 | 3-12 | July 16 | July 14 | Basic Skills |
| August 2 | 3-12 | July 23 | July 21 | Basic Skills |
| August 7 (Wednesday) | 3-12 | July 28 | July 26 | Basic Skills |
| August 9 | 3-12 | July 30 | July 24 | Basic Skills |
| August 14 (Wednesday) | 3-12 | August 4 | August 2 | Basic Skills |
| August 30 | 3-12 | August 20 | August 18 | Basic Skills |
| September 6 | 3-12 | August 27 | August 25 | Basic Skills |
| September 13 | 3-12 | September 3 | September 1 | Basic Skills |
All tests begin at 9:00am.
3rd graders finish around 11:30am. Tests for 4-12th graders at 12:00pm.
FAQ
Which test do you administer?
We use the California Achievement Test/TerraNova 2 and the TerraNova 3 for grades K-12. The TerraNova 2 is used for in-person testing and remote testing. The TerraNova 3 is used only for in-person testing and administered exclusively by Basic Skills employees. Both tests, whether given in-person or remotely, meet Oregon testing requirements. Testing requirements vary from state to state. Click here to find your state’s requirements.
Both tests take approximately two and a half hours to complete which includes a break. Questions are multiple choice and are broken into two subtests, each subtest being made up of two parts. Students provide their own pencils and scratch paper. The use of calculators is optional, but recommended beginning at grade 7.
What’s the difference between TerraNova 2 and TerraNova 3 tests?
While both tests cover similar content, one difference is how they are constructed. The TerraNova 2 combines reading comprehension and language into one subtest. It also combines math computation and math problem solving. The TerraNova 3 separates each of these content areas into stand alone tests. Another difference is that the tests use different comparison groups from different years when evaluating student performance.
When should I test my student?
Most parents test their children between March and the end of August. The decision of when to test is typically informed by when the student is nearing the completion of their school year. This varies family to family. Oregon home-schoolers are required to test at the end of grades 3, 5, 8, and 10. Other states have different testing requirements. Click here to find your state’s requirements:
Reasons for testing at other times of the year include:
- wanting to pinpoint academic strengths and weaknesses
- help with choosing or modifying curriculum
- wanting to know if a student is working at, above or below grade level
Are my test results confidential?
Yes. We send test results only to the family whose name appears on the registration form. We provide you with two copies of your student’s test results. One is for your own records; the other is for your use if submission to state authorities is required. Click here to find your state’s requirements. Basic Skills keeps a copy of the Basic Report for the duration of the year in which the student was tested.
Do I have to travel somewhere to test?
While remote testing in the comfort of your own home is the most popular option, it’s not the only option. For families living in Oregon, we have examiners all over the state ready to serve you. Many will come to your home or arrange to meet at a convenient location to test. Some examiners are employees of Basic Skills, others are independent examiners but affiliated with us. Therefore, testing fees vary. To find out if there is an examiner in your area, please refer to our list of qualified examiners
How long does it take to receive my test results?
Once your student’s test materials are received in our office, they are scored, a report generated, and mailed back to you within two weeks.
How do I interpret my test results? Can you help me understand what they mean?
First, please read through the Interpretive Guide that accompanied your test results. This guide should answer many of the basic questions you may have. Secondly, go to our Testing 101 series of articles. The articles in this series go deeper into explaining the significance of each score on the report you received. Finally, feel free to call Basic Skills (503-650-5282) or email us at info@basicskills.net if you would like someone to help you understand your test scores.
What is the Performance Evaluation Report (PER)?
The Performance Evaluation Report (PER) is an additional report that provides more information about your student’s performance. While the basic test report compares your student’s performance with other students nationwide, the PER compares your student’s performance to the learning objectives on the test itself. This report tells you what items your student answered correctly and which ones your student missed. Please click here to view a sample of the Performance Evaluation Report.
Want to test with an examiner near you?
You can test privately or semi-privately with a qualified, local examiner. See our list of qualified private examiners in Oregon.
Practice Tests
We produce a series of practice tests available as E-book downloads or printed booklets
Become a Qualified Examiner
Are you an Oregon resident and interested in ordering and administering achievement tests through Basic Skills? If so, we’d like to work with you! Click the button below to see if you qualify. Apply today!