Hewitt Homeschooling Testing offers the PASS (Personalized Achievement Summary System) test, an untimed standardized assessment for grades 3-8. The $36 parent-administered test measures reading, math, and language arts, providing both homeschool and national comparison scores.
What is Hewitt Homeschooling Testing?
Hewitt Learning, founded in 1964, is a non-profit organization that pioneered homeschool support services and testing. Their signature offering, the PASS (Personalized Achievement Summary System) test, was designed specifically for homeschoolers rather than adapted from traditional school assessments. The organization has distributed over 350,000 tests since inception and maintains a client base of 30,000+ families. Beyond testing, Hewitt offers curriculum products like Lightning Literature and Math-It, plus evaluation services for junior high through high school students.
Key Takeaways
- PASS test covers reading, mathematics, and language arts for grades 3-8
- Untimed format reduces test anxiety—students work at their own pace
- Placement test determines appropriate difficulty level based on ability, not age
- Officially recognized in Alaska, Georgia, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, and Washington
- Results include both homeschool percentiles and national comparison scores
How the PASS Test Works
State Recognition
PASS is officially approved for state compliance reporting in six states: Alaska, Georgia, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, and Washington. Many individual school districts in other states also accept PASS results—verification with your local district is recommended before testing. For states without official recognition, PASS still provides valuable progress documentation for your homeschool portfolio, even if it doesn't fulfill specific testing mandates.
Why Homeschoolers Choose PASS
The ability-based placement test sets PASS apart from most standardized assessments. Rather than comparing your 8-year-old against all 8-year-olds, PASS compares them against students at their demonstrated ability level. This reduces frustration for students working above or below grade level and provides more meaningful progress data. The untimed format eliminates clock-watching anxiety, while home administration means no scheduling conflicts or unfamiliar testing centers. At $36, it's also among the most affordable standardized testing options available.
The Bottom Line
Hewitt's PASS test offers a distinctly homeschool-friendly approach to standardized assessment. The combination of ability-based placement, untimed administration, and dual-comparison scoring makes it particularly valuable for families who want meaningful progress data without the stress of traditional testing environments. Check whether your state officially recognizes PASS for compliance purposes—if not, it remains an excellent portfolio documentation tool.
