This is our first year testing and I'm trying to make the choice between the Iowa test vs the CAT. I do have a degree, so that is not an issue. They both seem to be around $50. (I already have access to a teacher guide and practice test from the Iowa test, so I wouldn't need to buy those.) Could anyone tell me what the differences/similarities are?

We did CAT this last year, through Family Learning Organization, and it was only $35. It was very painless, my DD actually enjoyed it. She did the K one and will do grade one this spring.

bump.

The CAT seemed easier.

Example:

In the Iowa, the timed math section involved really whipping through the math problems. It reminded me of taking college placement exams (well, except it was on a much, much simpler level). Remember how you sort of had a strategy to get through all of those math questions, and answer as many as possible correctly? The Iowa reminded me of that.

The CAT timed math section allowed ample time to do all of the questions, get up, wander around the room, maybe flip on the tv, come back and check over your answers.

Okay, that's an exaggeration on both counts, but not by much.

My younger dd has only done the CAT. She thinks she's a genius because it seemed so easy and she scored so high. My older dd has done the CAT and Iowa. She thinks she's a normal person, and that the CAT is the easier of the 2 (she also scored very high on the CAT).

When we got the Iowa for early grades dd could write directly in the book. When we got the CAT for early grades (from FLO) the book was made to be written in, but you weren't allowed to -- the child had to put the answers on a separate answer sheet. I think FLO did this to keep costs down. It seemed like this answer-sheet-vs.-book had potential to be really, really confusing to young kids. I thought it was pretty annoying.

I know there are other differences, such as what they're actually trying to measure, but I don't recall those off the top of my head. I think they've been discussed here before.

By the way, we don't have to test, but we do because my kids want to. I think my older dd would rather go back to the Iowa, which is probably what we'll do this year. I think she sees this as a way to prepare for future testing situations -- it's sort of like she's studying how to take a test.

Can you give the PASS test in your state? You can purchase it very easily from http://www.hewitthomeschooling.com/home/hmain.asp?h=1 . We had a good experience with it & it's comparable to other standardized tests.