MOScholars Testing Requirements: Which Tests Qualify?

The Treasurer's 2026–27 Parent Handbook lists annual grade-appropriate standardized testing as a renewal requirement for MOScholars students. State law requires state achievement or nationally norm-referenced tests that measure math and English language arts, with value-added assessment, in grades that require testing under Missouri's statewide assessment system.

Which Tests Are Accepted

The statute does not name specific tests; it describes state achievement tests or nationally norm-referenced tests that measure math and English language arts. Ask your EAO which tests it accepts. Examples listed in program research include:

• Iowa Assessments (formerly Iowa Test of Basic Skills)
• Stanford Achievement Test
• TerraNova (CTB/McGraw-Hill)
• Classic Learning Test (CLT)
• Missouri state assessment exams (MAP, EOC)
• AP exams, IB exams, and SAT/ACT are also eligible scholarship expenses, but their eligibility as expenses does not by itself establish that they satisfy the annual state testing requirement.

Confirm the specific test with your EAO before scheduling.

When to Test

Many families test in the spring, between March and May, which aligns with the nationwide testing windows for Iowa Assessments, TerraNova, and state assessments. The Treasurer's handbook does not set a single statewide testing date; ask your EAO when the test must be completed and results submitted.

The sources reviewed do not specify a first-year testing waiver for students who enter mid-year. Ask your EAO which testing requirement applies to your student's start date.

How to Arrange Testing

Through a private school. If your child attends a private school, the school typically administers group assessments as part of its academic calendar. Confirm the test used is on the accepted list.

Through a homeschool testing service. Several organizations offer proctored testing for homeschool families in Missouri — co-ops, churches, and testing centers run group sessions in the spring. Search for "homeschool testing" in your area or contact your local homeschool group.

Individual proctoring. Some tests (CLT, Iowa Assessments) offer at-home proctored options or individual testing sessions. Check the test publisher's requirements for valid proctoring.

Paying for Tests Through ClassWallet

Assessment fees are a qualified MOScholars expense. You can purchase tests through ClassWallet's marketplace if the test provider is listed, use direct vendor pay if the provider is registered in ClassWallet, or pay out of pocket and submit an itemized receipt for reimbursement.

As of 2026, the remotely proctored CLT costs $112 and CLT3–8 costs $39; a U.S. AP exam costs $99 for 2026–27. Iowa Assessments group-session fees vary by provider, and IB exam fees depend on the school and subject. Confirm the current price before purchasing. Testing fees are an allowable scholarship expense.

What Happens With the Results

Your EAO provides test results to you and must also provide them annually to the State Treasurer, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and the MOScholars board. The Treasurer collects the results.

The statutes specify testing and score reporting but do not set a minimum score cutoff.

The Trade-Off With Traditional Homeschooling

Traditional homeschoolers under RSMo §167.012 have no state testing mandate. MOScholars participants must meet the program's annual testing and renewal requirements. For families who already test voluntarily — many homeschool families use standardized assessments for portfolio documentation or transcript building — the requirement changes nothing about their routine. For families who philosophically oppose standardized testing, it is a real concession in exchange for scholarship funding. The 2025–26 State Adequacy Target was $7,145; statutory award limits vary by student category.

For a complete guide to MOScholars compliance requirements, including testing, financial auditing, and renewal, see our Missouri MOScholars Scholarship Parent Guide.

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