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When planning high school, you’ll find there are several tests your student can take. Various career tests, college prep tests, college admissions tests. . .they haven’t even started and yet tests are looming ahead!
Let’s look at some of these tests, what they cover, and if they’re necessary for your student.
Career Tests
Our oldest two boys enjoyed taking career placement tests. For fun, Travis and I even took a few. 🙂 It’s always surprising to me how simple questions can lead to very accurate descriptions of a person’s strengths and weaknesses – and the jobs that match their personality, temperament, and interests.
This is a good way for your student to ‘test the waters’ and see what kinds of jobs they might enjoy.
Career Interest Tests (free):
ISEEK – a skills assessment where the results of the test gives you jobs that match your skills. It includes career profiles and potential income for the jobs it recommends. I thought this site had very accurate results.
Live Career – you have to sign up with your email, but the test is free. This test gives you your basic interest profile, your work styles, personality, and workplace fit.
Your Child’s Career – this website is actually geared toward parents, and their short survey is a simple one-pager asking your likes/dislikes and the values. skills, and strengths you think you have. There are quite a few ‘these-might-interest-you’ links based on your survey answers that are fun to explore.
The SAPA Project – this test gives you an interesting depiction of values and personality such as honesty, politeness, intellect, assertiveness, orderliness, and enthusiasm.
Career Interest Tests (cost involved):
Career Direct – Christian based test that evaluates personality, skills, interests, and values. ($80)
The Call – gets students thinking about their life purpose, motivation, behavior, and looks at good professions to match. (starting at $100)
Highlands Ability Battery – assesses natural abilities and aptitudes and gives you a 30-page report at the end. (You need to call a Highlands Affiliate for more info. I’m not sure what the cost is.)
Career Vision – Here again you need to call Career Vision to find out more information and the cost.
Career Ideas
Sometimes students just want to find out what jobs are out there. Here are some good sources:
- google “Occupational Handbook” – gives careers and their pay
- Big Future
- Show Me the Future (sounds strange, but it’s all careers – nothing hokie :))
College Prep Tests
These tests help students practice for the SAT or ACT – tests required my most colleges. It’s a good way to find out which areas they need to focus on *before* taking the actual tests.
ACT Aspire – The ACT PLAN test was a ‘practice’ test to prepare students for the ACT test. Beginning in April 2014 the ACT Aspire test will replace the ACT PLAN test. (Comparison chart) This test will provide student’s with a predicted performance range on the ACT.
Students usually take this test during their Sophomore year. You’ll need to call the local high school in your area to register your student for the test. Public schools usually take it in the fall so I’d suggest you call as soon as the school year begins.
Students can download a sample test here.
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PSAT – is a standardized test that provides practice for the SAT®. Taking this test also allows students to enter in the National Merit Scholarship Program.
The test is given once a year in October. Contact the local high school during the summer prior to your student’s Junior year to register – preferably in June. There will be a space in the basic information area on the answer sheet where your student will need to enter their state specific homeschool code. The test supervisor should be able to help if they have trouble.
To help them prepare, your teen can request a copy of the Official Student Guide to the PSAT/NMSQT.
So now your student has a few fun career tests to take and a timeline for college prep tests. But what’s the difference between the ACT and the SAT? Which one should your teen take and when?
Take a sample test.
College Admission Tests
Prepare for the ACT by:
- take free practice tests with answer key
- take practice tests
- take more practice tests! 🙂
- read the official ACT prep book
- answer the question of the day
- answer practice test questions from each section
Prepare for the SAT by:
- take a full practice test
- take another practice test
- answer practice questions
- find helpful apps like the SAT Question of the Day (you can also have the question emailed to you daily).
- take SAT subject tests if you want to improve in a particular area
- take the test twice – once as a Junior and then again at the beginning of their Senior year (optional)
Join us again as we discuss CLEP testing to earn credits.
Homeschooling in High School Series:
Part 1: Grading & Planning
Part 2: Explaining High School Credits
Part 3: Defining Fine Arts, Electives & Extra Curricular Activities
Part 4: How to Prepare A High School Transcript
Part 5: High School Testing
Part 6: Earn Credits with CLEP
Part 7: Earn Credits with DSST/DANTES
Part 8: Earn Credits with Advanced Placement (AP)
Part 9: Earn Credits with PSEO + HSLDA Transcript Service Giveaway! (coming soon!)
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{Homeschooling in High School} How to Prepare A High School Transcript
Hi Paula – Just wanted to share the updated website for Career Direct! They now offer consultant services for those who wish to work one-on-one with a trained consultant. I’ve been doing that for almost 2 years.
https://careerdirect-ge.org/
Blessings,
Cheri Frame
Thanks for the update, Cheri!