Yes, we are required to test in NC. I definitely want one I can administer at home. Thank you for the breakdown of this CAT. Now, is the one from Seton the same as a CAT 5? Or is that a different one?Tidbits of Learning wrote:The CAT from Seton is only language arts and math. If you are doing Beyond exactly as written with the once a week language arts and Singapore Math, then I think your child won't have any difficulty with Seton's 2nd grade CAT test.
Are you required to test? I have done Seton and their CAT test is not very comprehensive. The results really don't give you a lot of information. It is a shorter test and doesn't give a break down like some of the other standardized tests. The most you are going to get is a stanine number that isn't very illuminating of strengths and weaknesses.
I think the CAT test is fine for state requirements. It is short and IMO relatively easy compared to the grade level it represents. For my own purposes though (to see strengths and weaknesses in specific categories of language arts and math), it fell short of my expectations. It really didn't tell me anything that I could work with to improve my child's skills in any areas.
Thank you for sharing your experience with this test. It is so helpful to hear from those who have been-there-done-that.aspenskies wrote:We must show proof of advancement. We have used Seton's testing booklets since 2005. Both the state of VA and OH approve of these tests. My son actually enjoys taking the standardized tests. These are just like the tests I had when I was in school. I went to a public school, I highly ranked public school in an upper middle class neighborhood (even so I SOOOOO wish my parents had homeschooled me). I have him test with the grade he would be in school if he where still going to school (he went for k and first, pulled out a couple months into second). Except I decided to have him slow and had him re-do the same standardized test two years in a row.
Seton's isn't the CAT5. It is the CAT Survey. It is smaller samples of questions and the breakdown is minimal. We have done the CAT and the ITBS (Iowa). The ITBS gave me individual breakdown and I received 4 pages one complete with paragraphs breaking down my dd10's strengths and weaknesses. The Seton's CAT only gave 1 page with only 1/2 a sheet with simple breakdowns. There was no in-depth review of the test and how the kids had done and what needed more work. ITBS gave me a thorough breakdown and already this year we addressed several math issues that plagued us for 2 years by knowing exactly where her difficulty came from and where she showed a lack of understanding. You do need a degree to administer it though. I am getting the PASS test this year mainly b/c my son who is 3rd grade and required to test panicked about the timing of the test when we did the CAT. The PASS test is untimed and gives a thorough breakdown. I will post a link to it, but I don't know if it is allowed so if it disappears, you can google Hewitt Pass Test.alydar wrote:
Yes, we are required to test in NC. I definitely want one I can administer at home. Thank you for the breakdown of this CAT. Now, is the one from Seton the same as a CAT 5? Or is that a different one?
And which test do you prefer to get a better understanding of your child's strengths and weaknesses?
Please forgive all the questions - just trying to muddle my way through this new area in our lives.
Tidbits of Learning wrote:Seton's isn't the CAT5. It is the CAT Survey. It is smaller samples of questions and the breakdown is minimal. We have done the CAT and the ITBS (Iowa). The ITBS gave me individual breakdown and I received 4 pages one complete with paragraphs breaking down my dd10's strengths and weaknesses. The Seton's CAT only gave 1 page with only 1/2 a sheet with simple breakdowns. There was no in-depth review of the test and how the kids had done and what needed more work. ITBS gave me a thorough breakdown and already this year we addressed several math issues that plagued us for 2 years by knowing exactly where her difficulty came from and where she showed a lack of understanding. You do need a degree to administer it though. I am getting the PASS test this year mainly b/c my son who is 3rd grade and required to test panicked about the timing of the test when we did the CAT. The PASS test is untimed and gives a thorough breakdown. I will post a link to it, but I don't know if it is allowed so if it disappears, you can google Hewitt Pass Test.alydar wrote:
Yes, we are required to test in NC. I definitely want one I can administer at home. Thank you for the breakdown of this CAT. Now, is the one from Seton the same as a CAT 5? Or is that a different one?
And which test do you prefer to get a better understanding of your child's strengths and weaknesses?
Please forgive all the questions - just trying to muddle my way through this new area in our lives.
http://www.hewitthomeschooling.com/Testing/tMain.aspx
It helps me get a better grasp on all this. 
They are right that there are many different routes you can take for standardized testing. I give the Iowa Basics just because I think it is good practice in test-taking for my kiddos in all areas, and I personally like detailed feedback. However, it is a very long test to administer and does require a substancial amount of my time to give to multiple kiddos in multiple grades! 
Goals can change from year-to-year in test taking, so don't worry about keeping the same goals all of the time. Or, if you desire more specific information about your child in many different areas, don't mind taking several days to test, and aren't worried much about test anxiety due to timed tests; then you may wish to consider something like the Iowa Basic Skills or the CAT5 test.