What is/are the best standardized test/s to adminster at home with your children? I am thinking of ordering a CAT-E survey test from Seton homeschool.

We have been homeschooling for the past few weeks, to aid me in figuring out his grade placement for next year- story below - I would like to see how he tests on a 3rd grade level now.

He attended 2nd grade this year at PS and did participate in the state testing there, the results of which should come soon - I am sure he did well, my real want in testing him is due to the fact that we delayed his Kindergarten entrance to let him grow emotionally, I now see that that may have been a great solution then, but it may be time to put him in his age appropriate grade level now. When we pulled him out of PS last month he was the highest achieving student in his class and complaining of being very bored with the work... I don't want boredom to equal trouble down the road. If he attends PS again there is no seperation by ability, no programs for gifted children, so there especially I feel he would need to be put in the grade he would have been in had we not delayed Kindergarten.

Whether we decide on homeschool, public school, or private school I would like to find a really good standardized test that we can administer at home.

Any suggestions?

my opinion is that unless it is mandatory in your state, don't do any standardized tests.

I have done IOWA ITBS with my dd.Cost about $36. I think I read here someone mentioned taking their child to Sylvan,and they tested where they were at in math and reading. You could also just do the tests they list online at the Ohio Dept. of Ed.(Or any state).Many list sample tests.
Some online charter and/or curriculum companies will have *placement tests* you can do to see what grade curriculum would be appropriate.

I got my hs tests from this company:http://www.pesdirect.com/index.html
I see they do the iowa and woodcock tests.
I don't know about CAT. The iowa test was long and boring.We got form M(95 version).Currently the test company will not sell updated versions to homeschoolers.We did form B iowa with the charter;again long and boring.Plus major distractions from a bratty child,so it will be interesting to compare the results.

The least and easiest to meet the requirements for your state. I'm in VA and we are required to test for Language Arts and Math and I will be using the CAT-E Survey from Seton starting next year.

Standardized tests will do little to tell you where to place your child. Many children are not on the same level for all subjects and you can figure out where a kid is based on seeing their work and giving placement tests for whatever curriculum materials you choose, if there are placement tests.