List Home Life Academy (CEEB code 431-423) when registering to take any of these exams.

  • 9th/10th Grades
    • Take the PSAT/NMSQT (optional) as a practice test.
  • 10th Grade
    • Take ACT/SAT in April or June (no prep necessary) for baseline testing.
    • Use this information to see what areas need work.
    • Do ACT/SAT prep as needed.
  • 11th Grade
    • Take ACT/SAT as soon as possible.
    • Take PSAT/NMSQT – qualifying test for National Merit Scholarship in October (1-2% will qualify). (see below)
  • 12th Grade
    • College applications due beginning in October.
    • If you have not taken the ACT/SAT take it as soon as possible

Students can take these tests several times.  Students are allowed to take the ACT up to 12 times. Take them to hone your test-taking skills as well as to improve your scores. For the city, state, and zip code information when registering, please use Jackson, Tennessee 38305.

  • This is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship for JUNIORS. Only one percent to two percent will qualify.
  • The PSAT is now 100 percent digital, and a device is required. Students can take the test at their local school. When talking with the school’s guidance counselor, find out if they will provide a device for your student. If not, be sure to confirm ahead of time which digital device from home can be used as well as how to download the appropriate app. See below for additional information.
  • IMPORTANT: Remember to list HLA as your school. (school code 431-423). Be sure your student takes HLA’s school code with them. They will be asked what school you are testing at AND what school you attend. Use HLA’s school code for the school you attend.
  • In a bill signed in 2016 by Gov. Haslam, your local TN public school must allow your homeschooler to take the PSAT with their students. Here is the Bill information:
    Tennessee HB 2190 Introduced by Judd Matheny and Mike Bell
    Schools, Home – As introduced, requires schools to provide notice on their websites of the date of the school’s administration of the AP and PSAT/NMSQT examinations, the availability of such examinations, any financial assistance for low-income students, and schools where a homeschool student may take the AP and PSAT/NMSQT examinations. – Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 30. Signed by Governor Haslam on 4/7/2016.
  • Since this bill covers homeschoolers taking the PSAT, HLA no longer offers it, nor are we able to request accommodations, etc. for students taking it. For students wanting to pursue this option, please contact your local public school, asking to speak with the Guidance Counselor, in spring or summer preceding 11th grade in order to sign up. Tests are ordered in the summer, so the earlier you contact the public school, the better, to assure enough testing supplies.

 

ACT/SAT accommodations are available for students who qualify. HLA will help you with the documentation. All accommodations documents must be sent in one full week before the submission deadline. Requests arriving less than one week before the submission deadline are not guaranteed to be ready to submit in less than one week. In this case, the student may need to switch to a later test date so that there will be time to submit the accommodation request before the next deadline. Accommodation requests that are less than two weeks away from the deadline require a RUSH FEE to be paid to HLA to get all the documents submitted in time.

Applying for accommodations:

  • CREATE an ACT Accommodation Request in the Request Manager of your HLA account. Without this request, Laura will not be able to help you.
  • Register your student for the desired Test Date. MUST LIST HLA as their school with code 431-423. HLA can be found by searching for Jackson, Tennessee and selecting HLA from the list of schools.
  • Send the following information to Laura:

    • The appropriate form completed:

    • A copy of the test registration.
    • A copy of the diagnosis from the doctor. ACT requires diagnosis for each disability. For example, if your student has a processing problem and has an anxiety issue, you must have a doctor’s diagnosis for both issues. The doctor’s letter should also contain their testing results and recommendations for accommodations. Please note this information will stay confidential with both HLA and ACT/SAT.
    • Laura also needs a note stating what accommodations you do at home and what accommodation you think is best to request from ACT.
  • For Students that have been granted ACT – Special Testing Accommodations: After your student has been approved for ACT Accommodations, upon registering for subsequent tests, please email Laura, so she can submit the updated test date.

Please note: ACT/SAT has guidelines for accommodations for specific challenges. Even if we request them, there is no guarantee your student will receive them.

You may read the ACT’s criteria.

Additional Note: If your student is granted ACT Accommodations for multi-day testing, you will be responsible for finding the testing location and proctor. This is usually easier than you might think. You can start with the location originally registered and speak with their guidance department regarding testing; many times they will test. If you have trouble with this, please contact Laura or Glori because we have used locations in the past and they can steer you to them.

Forms that will need to be completed…

ACT Teacher Survey Form

ACT-TAA Consent to Release Information to ACT

Exceptions Statement Form and Checklist

SAT Teacher Survey Form

    

CLT, a college entrance exam that it is accepted by colleges and universities similar to the SAT and ACT tests, challenges students with literary and mathematical content. Students will be able to pull from both theistic and secular perspectives while taking this exam that provides the “most accurate and rigorous measure of academic formation, accomplishment, and potential.”  Students take this two-hour exam at a local testing center and are able to see their test results the same day. Results may be sent directly to any of the colleges listed on our site. Students can take the test at a local testing center, school, or co-op that is offering it, and also take it online now, from the comfort of their own home. Read More.

  • No. HLA does not require an ACT/SAT/CLT test score to receive a diploma from HLA.Note: HLA does reserve the right to request ACT/SAT/CLT scores at its discretion based on the best interest of the student and/or the student’s eligibility for enrollment.

Annual Standardized Testing Requirements for High School Students

  • HLA does not require state standardized testing for grades Kindergarten-12th.
  • Families living in TN, FL, AL, and CO who are registered with HLA, will not be required to test.
  • Families living in other states will need to check the laws in their state. If you are unsure of the laws in your state please visit the Homeschooling in Your State page and refer to HSLDA for further clarification.