A Criterion-Referenced Test (CRT) checks if a student has learned specific skills or knowledge. Unlike other tests that rank students, CRTs focus on whether a student has mastered the material.
Research from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) shows that homeschooled students typically score 15 to 25 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized academic achievement tests. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), approximately 3.3 million students were homeschooled in the United States as of 2023, representing roughly 6% of the school-age population.
What is a criterion-referenced test?
A Criterion-Referenced Test (CRT) checks if a student knows certain skills or information. It doesn’t compare students against each other. Instead, it asks, "Did this student learn this?" Think of it like a driver’s test—everyone who shows they can drive passes, no matter how others do. This fits well with mastery-based homeschooling, which aims for real understanding, not just competition.
Why homeschoolers choose crts
Homeschooling parents often want to know if their child actually learned something. CRTs give clear results showing strengths and weaknesses, not just a score. If a CRT shows your child struggles with two-digit multiplication, you know exactly where to help. This makes CRTs great for planning what to teach next. Plus, CRTs don’t penalize kids for learning at their own speed—whether they master algebra at 12 or 16, they both get credit.
Crts options for homeschoolers
There are many standardized tests that offer CRT scoring. The TerraNova 3 and P.A.S.S. Test provide both mastery info and optional percentile scores. State-aligned tests check performance against grade standards. Many curriculum publishers also have chapter tests that serve as CRTs, assessing what students just learned. If you live in a state that requires testing, knowing if your test is CRT, norm-referenced, or dual scoring helps you understand the results.
The bottom line
Criterion-Referenced Tests match how many homeschoolers view education. They focus on real mastery instead of competition. When your goal is to make sure your student understands the material—not just scores higher than others—CRTs give the clearest view. They turn testing from a judgment into helpful feedback, showing what’s learned and what still needs work. This approach can ease testing anxiety while adding real value for many families.
