Each year, between 8 and 18, you have to test or assess once annually.
Here’s the law:
RCW 28A.200.010(1)(c) Ensure that a standardized achievement test approved by the state board of education is administered annually to the child by a qualified individual or that an annual assessment of the student’s academic progress is written by a certificated person who is currently working in the field of education.
For many years that state board had several examples on their website site of approved tests and a statement that any test approved by the Buros Center for Testing was also approved. Then quietly in August of 2025 that language changed with a note on that stated some tests may no longer be available.
Here is the current link:
When do we test or have the assessment done?
This is a question which only you can answer. When your child has completed all of the work for the grade that they are being tested in for that year then test them at that time. If they are not done with their mouth until August, test them in August. Just make sure that you do it once every 365 days. If you are having an assessment done, ask the person doing the assessment for their help making this judgment call.
Let’s look at our options to find the one that is right for your student.
How do I pick testing verses assessment?
Some things to consider:
Does your student have test anxiety or special needs?
Do you want some real life interaction and feedback from an educational professional?
Is it important to you that your student develops standardized test taking skills that they will need if they want to take college level placement test exams?
The Test Option.
The test has to be on The Washington State Board of Education website.
So, not a placement test, an end-of-year test from your curriculum company, or an IQ test.
Let’s break the tests on the states website into 2 categories. Tests parents can administer themselves at home and ones that are not parent administered.
Tests parents can administer-
CAT 5 (CTB) | California Achievement Grades K – 12
CAT 5 Survey | California Achievement Test Grades 2 – 12
CLT | Classic Learning Test Grades 3 – 12
GED Ready – All Subjects | General Educational Development. Grades 9 – 11
Iowa Assessments Grades 3 – 12
Logramos Tercera Edición – Spanish Achievement Test for Bilingual Learners Grades K – 9
PASS | Personalized Achievement Summary System Grades K – 12
SAT 10 | Stanford Achievement Test [online]. Grades 3 – 12
SAT 10 | Stanford Achievement Test Series [paper] Grades K – 12
SESAT | Stanford Early School Achievement Test Grades K – 12
TerraNova 2 / CAT6 Grades K – 12
TerraNova 3 Grades K – 8
WIAT-4 | Weschler Individual Achievement Grades Pre-K – 12
Tests parents cannot administer themselves-
PreACT 8/9 | PreACT. Grades 8 -10
Act—Grades 7-12
BASI —Grades 3-12
BASI-2– Grades 3-12
SAT and SAT Subject Tests Grades 10 – 12
SBA | Smarter Balanced Assessment Grades 3 – 8 & 10
WJ IV | Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement Grades Pre-K – 12
WRAT5 | Wide Range Achievement Test, Fifth Edition Grades K – 12
I want to choose the test option. Which test should I pick?
That is entirely up to you. Talk to your fellow homeschoolers about what tests and test providers they are use. Use your favorite search engine to find a person/company that offers the test you are looking for. Many people have a strong preference for testing at home options versus testing in a facility, which is why we have divided the list into parent administered options versus testing center/school district options.
I just want the easiest path without researching every option. What should I do?
Just consult with our list below the next question.
2. The Assessment Option
“Or that an annual assessment of the student’s academic progress is written by a certificated person who is currently working in the field of education.”
https://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/
Section 1c
So, how do I find “a certified person” to evaluate my child and write an assessment?
Asking your fellow homeschoolers who they use, using your favorite search engine to find a person/company that provides this service, or consulting with our list below.
We keep a list of test or assessment options here.
Some questions that will come up:
- Do I have to test my under 8yo child?
No. - Can I test my under 8yo child? Yes. Your child’s test results are for you and you alone unless you choose to enroll them in the school district and are asked to present them at that time.
- Can I test with the school?
Yes. Contact your local school district when you turn in your declaration of intent and find out what the testing dates are and express your desire to have your child tested through them. - My student turns 8 at the end of the school year, do I have to test them at that time? No, wait until the first full year.
- What happens if my student does poorly on the test or assessment?
The law states: “If, as a result of the annual test or assessment, it is determined that the child is not making reasonable progress consistent with his or her age or stage of development, the parent shall make a good faith effort to remedy any deficiency.” (RCW28A.200.010(1)(c). - Do I have to turn the scores in somewhere?
Not unless you transfer to and enroll in a public school - What if my child is working at wildly different grade levels in things?
If, for example, your child is 10/11yo and would be a 5th grader, you might choose a 5th grade test. If *he is working at a 7th grade and above level, I might choose a 7th grade test. This goes the other way, too — if you have the same child working consistently at a 4th or 3rd grade level, don’t frustrate them with the 5th grade test — use the one that’s appropriate for your student.