How to Handle Quizzes and Tests in Your Homeschool (Without Stress!)
Just so you know, this post contains affiliate links. That means if you use them to make a purchase, I may earn a commission. You can read my full affiliate disclosure HERE.
A fellow homeschool mom recently asked me a great question about how we handle quizzes and tests in our homeschool. She specifically was curious as to whether I allowed them to use notes and books during the quiz, or if I made them study and take them closed-book.
This is such a relatable question, because honestly, I’ve wrestled with it myself! And over the years, our approach to quizzes and tests has shifted as my kids have gotten older. I imagine it’s going to be different in every homeschool, but…here’s what has worked for us.
Why I Didn’t Focus on Grades Early On
For a long time, I didn’t really emphasize grading quizzes and tests. We did them, but I mostly used them as a benchmark. If my kids missed something, I let them go back with their notes or their book, make corrections, and learn from their mistakes.
The goal wasn’t getting a perfect grade — it was making sure they actually understood the material. In the younger years especially, I think that approach kept things less stressful and helped my kids focus on learning instead of chasing grades.
Shifting Toward High School Expectations
Now that my son is heading into high school, our approach is starting to change. In high school, grades begin to matter more, and it’s important for kids to practice study habits like:
- Taking notes
- Creating or using study guides
- Preparing for closed-book quizzes and tests
Building Study and Note-Taking Skills at Home
Thankfully, some of the curriculum we’re using actually builds this in. For example, Journey Homeschool Academy (science) and Shormann Math (Algebra) both give extensive guidance on how to take notes and study. That support has made the transition smoother and has taken some pressure off of me to figure it out on my own.
I’ve realized that a lot of well-done high school level homeschool curriculum has thought about the testing aspect, and will typically lay out for you as the parent how to best help your child prepare for quizzes and tests, and how to administer and grade them.
Curriculum That Helps Teach Test Prep
I’ve also shifted in other subjects. In Latin, I used to allow open-note quizzes. But as the material got harder, I realized that wasn’t encouraging real memorization. So this year, I’ve switched to closed-book quizzes, and it’s helping my kids commit the material to memory in a way that will serve them long-term.
The Benefits of Open-Book Tests in Homeschooling
If you’ve been allowing open-book quizzes and tests, let me encourage you: you haven’t “messed up.” Open-book assessments actually teach some very valuable skills:
- Thinking critically about what you’re reading
- Learning how to look up information
- Double-checking answers for accuracy
- Focusing on understanding rather than rote memorization
These are important skills in the “real world,” where most of us use reference materials and tools daily to solve problems.
When to Start Closed-Book Quizzes for Homeschool Students
As your kids get older, you can begin introducing more closed-book tests to help them build study skills. Subjects like math and foreign languages especially benefit from this, since memorization is key.
The good news is that many upper-level homeschool curricula already include study guides, teacher notes, or suggestions for how to prepare for tests. So you don’t have to figure it out on your own—lean on those resources when you need to.
Tips for Managing Homeschool Tests Without the Stress
- Use quizzes as a learning tool, not just a grade.
- Allow corrections in the younger years to reinforce understanding.
- Gradually shift toward closed-book as high school approaches.
- Encourage kids to take notes and build their own study guides.
- Check curriculum resources for test-prep suggestions.
Final Encouragement for Homeschool Moms
If you’ve been second-guessing your approach to quizzes and tests, take a deep breath. What you’re doing right now has value. And the beauty of homeschooling is that you can make changes as your kids grow and their needs shift.
You don’t have to get it “perfect.” Focus on learning, add in more structure when the time is right, and trust that you’re preparing your kids well.
How do you handle quizzes and tests in your homeschool? Do you prefer open-book, closed-book, corrections, or something else? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!
Blessed Homeschool is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You can read my full affiliate disclosure HERE.
