Each year homeschooled students must take a standardized test. Here are our suggestions:

Grades 5 - 7

For fifth, sixth, and seventh graders, we recommend the California Achievement Test, 5th Edition Survey (CAT/5 Survey), which is a nationally normed standardized test. It is a shorter version of the CAT/5 Complete Battery and takes less than three hours to complete.

You can order tests to administer at home from Family Learning Organization. Be sure to give yourself enough time. In busy testing seasons, it may take several weeks to get your materials.

Grades  8 - 9

For eighth and ninth grades, we recommend the PreACT 8/9 if your student plans to attend college or isn't sure yet. The test will be administered at Mid-Metro Academy on January 8, 2026. It is norm-referenced, and it will provide a picture of how "ready" for college your student is likely to be when the time comes. It allows students to become comfortable with group testing settings, and it identifies areas for improvement. Register HERE.

Grades 10 - 12

For tenth grade, we recommend the PreACT if your student plans to attend college. Otherwise, continue with the California Achievement Test mentioned above. Students in eleventh and twelfth grade who won't be taking the ACT or want practice before they do may also take the PreACT.

The PreACT test is a multiple-choice assessment in the areas of math, English, science, and reading that provides an early measure of College and Career Readiness and serves as a practice opportunity for the ACT college entrance test. This test was designed especially for tenth graders, but students in other grades are invited to take this test for practice. Taking it two years in a row can help students get used to this type of testing, which can improve scores. 

The PreACT will be administered at MMA on January 9, 2026. Register HERE.

Grades 11 - 12

If your student is not college-bound, continue using the California Achievement Test. If your student is headed to college, we recommend the ACT test for eleventh and twelfth grades. This will be accepted and/or required at most colleges and universities around the country. This test is only available at ACT testing centers.

Preparing for the ACT

Mid-Metro Academy offers two ACT prep options, one for Math and one for English/Reading. These courses are highly recommended for students before taking the ACT exam. These courses give tips, direct instruction on what students need to know to do well, and plenty of practice. Since college scholarships are often tied to ACT test scores, investing in active preparation can save thousands of dollars in college tuition.