But if a student has to know enough about a topic to deliver a 5-minute lecture, he retains the material. So perhaps there are more accurate ways to measure learning than through testing. Some evaluations even enhance the learning process. Test-taking is an ability in itself. Great scores on tests can be a measure of the ability to eliminate nonsense choices or other abilities that don't relate to proficiency.
Poor scores can reflect test anxiety.
If your child faces upcoming mandatory testing to satisfy state requirements, you might consider a brief test-taking orientation. After two years of trying to conduct homeschool like a miniature public school, I dropped virtually all testing. I found that high test scores reflect comparison of one student with peers. Without peers, it was difficult to judge whether the kids were learning adequately or whether I was teaching adequately. High scores cannot measure the student's actual performance vs. his potential ability.