Many parents are considering homeschooling their children due to the current state of the world. With this increased interest there is an ever increasing need for clarity and understanding of the expectations for students in the assessment phase of the curriculum. This article will provide a comprehensive understanding of how homeschooled children give exams, from test preparation to scheduling the exam to the processes of online exams.
The Necessary Steps to Prepare for Exams
The first step for students preparing for exams is to review their materials for the subject studied. Students should review any important topics, such as equations or diagrams, as well as any lab procedures or experiments. In addition, they should study sample problems from their course material or related material to give them an idea of the types of problems they may encounter on the exam.
Reviewing their material helps homeschooled students to find and identify areas in which they are weak and to focus more energy on those areas in order to improve their performance. Another important step of preparation is to do practice questions.
Some parents or teachers may provide worksheets or quizzes that simulate an actual exam, or the student may search online for different practice exams. Doing practice problems allows homeschooled students to become familiar with the types of problems they may be asked on the exam and allows them to identify any weak areas in their knowledge before attempting the exam.
Finally, students should check their practice problems solutions against the textbook or online resources to ensure their solutions are correct. This gives the student confidence that their solution is correct and provides practice in their recall of the material.
Scheduling and At-Home Exams
Many state and credentialing agencies that permit homeschooling have certain expectations for students’ exams. These may include periodic exams or testing as well as end-of-year exams.
There are typically a few different options for scheduling and taking these exams. The first option is to take the exam on a regularly scheduled date. This may be done with a professional proctor either in person or through an online testing service.
The proctor student relationship may be established ahead of time if the exam is administered with a proctor, or the proctor service may provide the student with an invitation link and instructions to take the exam. The second option is to arrange for an at-home exam. This is where the student takes the exam in the comfort of their own home.
Depending on the state or credentialing agency, the parent may serve as the proctor. At-home exams are convenient as they can be taken anytime, though in some cases may not be as secure as an exam taken in the presence of a professional proctor.
Online Proctored Exams
The third option for homeschooled exams is an online proctored exam. These are exams that are administered remotely through a secure online testing platform. This platform may use facial recognition, video monitoring, or other security measures to ensure the integrity of the exam.
Most online platforms also have certain requirements for students taking the exams: checking in early, showing a valid form of identification, and so forth. For added security, students are typically asked to remain in the same room, allowing their face and the environment around them to remain in view, and to not use any external sources during the exam.
Generally, online proctored exams are the most secure form of exams for homeschooled students.
Curriculum Integration and Assessment
When homeschooling, it is important to ensure that proper levels of assessment are integrated into the curriculum. Parents may use standard testing and exams, or they may use other forms of assessment such as projects and portfolios. Standard testing and exams may include tests and quizzes, midterms and final exams, and other periodic testing.
These provide parents with data on student progress and performance. In addition, parents may design projects for their students to work on either independently or in combination with tests and quizzes.
Projects may include experiential learning or providing evidence of progress in a certain subject. Portfolios are also an assessment tool that can be used to evaluate a student’s progress. The portfolio may be an organized collection of student work and completed assignments, providing insight into the student’s mastery and understanding of the material.
Before, During, and After Exams
Before exams, students should ensure that they have all the necessary materials and that their environment is conducive to studying. Proper rest, nutrition, and hydration are also important for exam preparation. During exams, students should remain focused and take their time, especially when answering multiple choice questions, and ensure that they double-check their answers and circle their responses.
After the exam, students may check to make sure their answers have been recorded correctly and review their answers to assess their reasoning.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Homeschool Exams
Homeschool exams offer numerous benefits for students and parents. Notably, homeschooled students are able to work at their own pace and have access to assessment materials that better suit their personal needs.
Furthermore, as they take their exams in familiar environments such as their homes, they may feel more relaxed and better equipped to perform. However, as with anything, there are potentially drawbacks to homeschool exams. Some students may be more easily distracted in a home environment, and may not necessarily be able to maintain focused on their exams.
Furthermore, while it can be beneficial having the parents or other adults serve as proctors, this may also result in bias in their grading and assessment of the student’s performance.
Conclusion
Homeschool exams offer numerous benefits for homeschooled students. Parents should familiarize themselves with their state’s expectations for homeschooling and learn about the different options for conducting exams for their students. There are many benefits to students taking exams in a familiar environment, such as their home, but parents must be aware of the potential drawbacks and distractions that come with such an environment.