Testing
          Diagnostic Testing
          Achievement Testing
          College Entrance Testing

FCA offers two types of testing. The first is a Diagnostic test offered year-round. This test is helpful in determining the appropriate grade level in which a student should begin course work. The second type of test is the Stanford Achievement test offered in the spring. This test is helpful in determing student’s retention levels.

Diagnostic Testing
Diagnostic testing is offered year round and is highly recommended for first time home educators. Please contact the office to schedule this test. Fees can be found on Form A for this service.

The test takes approximately 1-2 hours, is given one-on-one and is untimed.

Achievement Testing
Type of Test and Results
FCA administers the Stanford Achievement Test Christian School 10th Edition. The “Stanford” is an Achievement Test, not a Placement Test. It can be used as an indicator of weak academic areas which need to be strengthened. FCA offers Diagnostic Testing specifically designed for helping with grade placement and with choosing curricula. The Stanford Achievement Test is offered in the spring, usually between March 15th–April 15th.

The Stanford Corporation scores the tests and sends the results to FCA in June. FCA provides a date and time in late June for parents to pick up their test, reenroll, and receive bookstore discounts.

Testing Requirements & Recommendations
Students home educating with FCA are not required to take the SAT test. However, in order to graduate with an FCA approved diploma, students must meet the FCA credit requirements and obtain a qualifying score from one of the following tests during the 11th or 12th grade. High school Stanford Achievement Test – minimum stanine score of 4, College entrance ACT – minimum score of 20, College entrance SAT– minimum score of 500 verbal/500 math.

FCA recommends that students be tested at least one year in the elementary level (3rd), middle school level (6th) and every year in high school (9th-12th), unless your student is scheduled to take a college entrance exam. Letting your student have a testing experience periodically allows parents to monitor progress and keeps students practiced in the skill of taking tests. Testing is recommended every year for students that are on a college path and/or plan to return to the school system.

What the Test Measures & Provides to Parents
The test is an excellent tool to measure strengths and weaknesses on a broad range of subjects including the following:
     Word Analysis (K-2nd)
     Reading Skills/Comprehension (K-12)
     Vocabulary (2-12)
     Mathematics (K-12)
     Language (1-12)
     Spelling (1-12)
     Study Skills (4-12)
     Social Studies & Science (K-12)
     Listening (K-8)

The test provides to parents scaled, percentile grade-equivalent scores, and an ability/achievement comparison on combination test.

Length of Test
Grades K-8: 3 hours per day, 2 consecutive days
Grades 9-12: 2-3 hours per day, 2 consecutive days

Testing Dates and Locations
FCA offers testing across the state of Tennessee and in Orlando, FL. (See FCA Enrollment form D,to see a complete list of testing locations). FCA will assign your test location which will be printed on your student’s ID card. Site locations are subject to change due to availability, and FCA reserves the right for final site approval.

Tests are currently given in cities across the state of Tennessee and Florida. If you have a large support group you may qualify to have tests administered at your location. FCA suggests that you monitor oue website for specific information on testing dates and events.

It is the responsibility of parents to verify their student’s testing dates, times and locations. If you are not sure of your testing date or site, you must call the Records Department for that information or check the website. FCA is not responsible for missed test.

Private Testing
Parents may choose to have their student(s) tested by a certified teacher in the privacy of their home. If you would like your child tested privately by a teacher in your area, we ask that you arrange for a certified teacher to administer the test. We require the following:

Teacher must provide FCA with name, address, phone number and proof of certification within 30 days of enrollment.

The certified teacher may not be a parent or relative of the student.

Teacher must return the test no later than April 15th. Tests that are returned after the deadline will incur a late fee. All testing deadlines must be followed. If the teacher is not sure he/she can complete and return the test within the time framerequired by FCA, the teacher’s services should not be used.

Administering teacher must follow all policies of FCA.

FCA will mail the test to the teacher between February 15th and March 15th.

FCA also offers private one-on-one Stanford Achievement Testing through our Old Hickory office for a fee of $150.00. This fee covers the cost of test and teacher’s services.

Students who become married (male or female) and/or pregnant, after enrollment, are required to contact the school to test privately. Additional fees apply.

Deadline for all private testing registration is February 15th.

Registering and Paying for the Test
If you know that you want your child to take the Achievement Test it is best to choose a location and pay for it at the time of enrollment. It is less expensive to sign up for testing before May 1st.

If you decide to wait to sign up for testing, you must do so before the Achievement test deadline which is February 15th. Please contact the office or go to the bookstore to register.

Test Fees are non-refundable.

Make-Up Test
If, for any reason, a student is unable to test on an assigned date, or if the student missed part of a test, parents must transfer to another test site or arrange for Private Testing through FCA. Call the office, additional fees will apply.

Changing Test Location
If for any reason, the test location must be changed, parent(s) will be assessed a $30.00 fee for changes.

What to Expect the Day of the Test
Our testing policies are in effect to ensure a proper, fair and safe testing environment. Please help us maintain these policies so our students can have a good testing experience.

Students must test in the grade in which they are enrolled.

Parents are able to be in the room with K-2nd grade students testing.

Testing begins promptly at 9:00am each morning. Parents and students are asked to arrive at 8:30am the first morning to receive a brief orientation and classroom assignments.

Testing last from 9:00am-12:30pm for 2 consecutive days. Schedule varies by site, watch for details on your site location by web or mail.

Students should eat a good breakfast and come to test well rested.

Bring scratch paper, at least 2 sharpened #2 pencils, a ruler (with inches and centimeters) and a calculator for 4th grade and above.

FCA uses facilities graciously donated to us. Please take care of the property and be sure to stay within designated areas. Students are allowed in testing rooms, break rooms and bathrooms only.

Please realize we are all witnesses as home-educators. Instruct your children to obey all rules and teachers or they will be expelled from testing (and, possibly from FCA).

Parents must be able to supervise their children not being tested and students finishing early.

Parents are encouraged to bring juice, fruit or any other nutritious snack.

No student will be permitted to leave the premises before testing is over.

College Entrance Testing
ACT, SAT and PSAT
If the student will be applying to a private university, it is recommended that they take the college entrance test instead of the high school Stanford Achievement Test (SAT). The ACT and SAT college entrance tests are offered up to six times annually. Students usually increase their scores on these tests each time they are taken (after Algebra 1) and colleges usually accept the highest score.

FCA’s school code for the SAT & ACT college entrance tests is: 431252

Warning: When a student applies for a scholarship, some colleges average all ACT or SAT test scores taken. This could hinder the student’s chances for a scholarship if the student has taken these test several times in the lower grades “for practice.”

The PSAT should be taken in October (or the sophomore year for those completing high school in 3 years) for the purpose of entering the valuable National Merit Scholarship Competition.