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TerraNova 3 Test (Updated CAT Test)

The TerraNova 3 (TerraNova, Third Edition) is an updated version of the well-known California Achievement Test (CAT) and builds upon the foundation of the earlier TerraNova 2 (CAT 6). This nationally normed standardized test, based on a nationwide study with norms updated in 2017, provides educators with a reliable and modern way to measure student achievement.

The TerraNova 3 retains the familiar structure and format of the CAT and TerraNova 2, allowing schools and families who have previously used CAT tests to transition easily. At the same time, the TerraNova 3 includes updated test questions and refreshed norms, helping ensure the assessment reflects the knowledge and skills expected of today’s students.

Widely used by private schools and homeschool families across the United States, The TerraNova 3 provides a clear picture of how students are performing academically compared to students nationwide. The TerraNova 3 is available for students in Grades k-12

The TerraNova 3 can be ordered as either a Complete Battery or a Complete Battery with PLUS.

The Complete Battery includes assessments in Reading, Language, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, providing a comprehensive evaluation of student achievement across the core academic subjects.

The Complete Battery with PLUS includes all of the subjects in the Complete Battery along with additional subtests that provide further diagnostic insight. These additional PLUS tests include Language Mechanics, Spelling, Word Analysis, and Math Computation in most grade levels.

These options allow schools and homeschool families to choose the level of assessment that best meets their testing and reporting needs.

No Bachelor’s Degree Required!

Administration Requirements

  • Create an online account.
  • No Degree Required
  • Paper booklet test
  • Signed Test Agreement Form
  • For homeschools & private schools only
  • 14-day rental period

TerraNova 3 tests scored between the following dates will be scored with the following norming data.

September 1 – Nov. 30Fall Norms – Start of Grade
Dec. 1 – February 28/29Midyear Norms
March 1 – August 31Spring Norms – End of Grade

If you want the TerraNova 3 test scored for a norm period different from the current one, click the following link to download, print, and complete the Off-Norm Scoring Request Form. Return it with payment and your test materials.

Test Restrictions

State Restrictions: No restrictions.

Test Prep

Prepare your student for success with TerraNova Practice Tests, Test Prep & Test Prep Bundles.


Overview

The TerraNova 3 Evaluates:

  • Reading
  • Word Analysis
  • Vocabulary
  • Language
  • Usage
  • Mechanics
  • Spelling
  • Mathematics
  • Computation
  • Problem Solving and Concepts
  • Science
  • Social Studies 

Ordering

Ordering the TerraNova/CAT 6

  • Place your order 3 weeks to 5 months BEFORE your desired test date.

  • July 1-February 28 ONLY: To test ASAP: After selecting the earliest test week, in the comments box just above the “Place Order” button, say: “SEND IMMEDIATELY.” If you place your order before 5pm EST on Wednesday, then your order should ship within 1 business day.
  • March 1-June 30: IOWA, CogAT, CAT Survey, & TerraNova orders placed over the phone or online cannot be moved up and will ship about 10 days before your beginning test week. This applies to walk-in customers also.
  • WHAT YOU GET: The price of a TerraNova test covers the 14-day rental cost of the student test booklet, test administration directions, answer sheet, scoring, and posting the test results.

Administration

Administration and Completion

Administration:

  • K–3 (Levels 10-13) must be administered separately by grade.
  • Grades 4–5 (Levels 14–15) may be administered together.
  • Grades 6–8 (Levels 16–18) may be administered together.
  • Grades 9–12 (Levels 19–21/22) may be administered together.
Complete Battery Completion Times:Survey/Plus Battery Completion Times:
  • Grades K–3 (Levels 10-13): 3 — 5½ total hours over 2 to 3 days
  • Grades 4–12 (Levels 14–21/22): 4½-5½ total hours over 3 days
  • Grades 2–3 (Levels 12–13): 2½ – 4 total hours over 2 days
  • Grades 4–12 (Levels 14–21/22): 4½ total hours over 2 days

Note: These are approximate times. If you opt to do just the core portions of the test (Reading, Language, and Math), administration time will be substantially decreased.

Norming Dates

TerraNova 3 tests scored between the following dates will be scored with the following norming data.

September 1 – November 30Fall Norms – Beginning of Grade Level
December 1 – Last day of FebruaryMidyear Norms
March 1 – August 31Spring Norms – End of Grade Level

If you want the Terranova 3 test scored for a norm period different from the current one, please download, print, and complete the Off-Norm Scoring Request Form and return it with payment and your test materials.

FAQ

Yes, the TerraNova 3 is a timed test and takes from one and a half to four and a half of actual working time for the students to complete, depending upon the grade level and the test taken. All levels of the TerraNova 3 are timed. No section for the TerraNova 3 is longer than 40 minutes. No more than two or three tests should be given in one day. The tests should be spread out over a 3 or 4 day period. View what is tested on each level and the completion times for each section.

The TerrraNova 3 is a nationally normed achievement test. Achievement tests measure skills that are learned in school and address specific content areas such as reading and mathematics and measure academic progress. Your child’s scores are compared to the scores of other children in your student’s grade who have taken the test, the norming population for the test. There is no direct correlation between the number of correct answers and the percentiles reported. If, for example, a student scores at the fifty-seventh percentile, it indicates that a student scored higher than fifty-seven percent of students who took this test in the national sampling group for his grade level, not that the student got fifty-seven percent of the questions correct.

The TerraNova, Third Edition, offers practice tests for grades K-8, which we offer here.
We also offer more generalized test preparation for specific subjects through the Spectrum practice tests books and our test prep bundles.
Spectrum Practice Tests Grades 1-8
Test Prep Bundles

The Plus section is additional math, reading, and language questions that are all optional. The  Plus Test includes Word Analysis (Grade 1-12), Vocabulary (Grades 1-12), Language Mechanics (Grade 2-12), Spelling (Grade 2-12) and Math Computation (Grade 2-12). No plus tests are available for Kindergarten. Click the following link for a detailed document of the TerraNova Scope & Sequence.

The TerraNova 3 test is designed so that almost all students have time to complete the test. The percentage of students completing the final question in each section of each subtest varies by grade and test type. Approximately 94-99% of students complete the tests in the time allotted. Please read and adhere to the testing directions for the timing of each test section.

What do the scores on my report mean?

The scores listed on your student’s reports are as follows: National Percentile (NP), National Stanine (NS), Grade Equivalent (GE), Raw Score (RS). At the following link, you will find explanations and breakdowns for each of these terms: Explanation of Scoring Terms

Practice Tests

TerraNova 3 Practice Tests

These short practice tests (4-8 pages), published by the TerraNova 3 publisher, will give students an idea of what to expect on test day and increase their confidence in taking the test. A few practice questions (about 7-14 per booklet) are given in each of the subject areas, the answers to which are provided in the Practice Test Directions for Administration booklet. Directions for Administration read like a script. Students mark their answers in bubbles like on an actual test. Practice Tests are untimed but can be completed in 40 minutes.

For the most effective use, the Practice Test should be administered one to two days before the test date. TerraNova 3 Practice tests may be administered by anyone. These practice tests are especially recommended for students testing for the first time. They are also good for when students transition from marking answers in the booklets to filling out a separate answer document (starting with the TerraNova 3 14 (Grade 4)).

Practice tests are available in kits or as individual student practice tests. Each practice test booklet for a particular level or group of levels contains the same questions in each booklet. For more extensive practice test booklets with multiple practice tests, please see Spectrum Test Practice Reproducible.

*Student Practice Tests for GRADES K, 1, & 2 (Levels 10-12) CANNOT be administered without using the Directions for Administration.

TerraNova 3 Practice Test Kit (1 Administration Booklet with Answer Key & 1 Student Test Booklet) $16.50

 

TerraNova 3 Practice Test (1 Student Booklet Only – NO ADMINISTRATION BOOKLET/NO ANSWER KEY) $4.50

 

Resources

Resources for the TerraNova 3

TerraNova 3 Sample Test Report

Terranova 3 Explanation of Scoring Terms

TerraNova 3 Scope and Sequence

TerraNova 3 Subjects Tested plus Completion Times

TerraNova 3 Off-Norm Scoring Request Form

TerraNova 3 Practice Tests & Test Prep