This RISD Hometest preparation guide covers everything you need to know about the most distinctive and consequential component of the RISD application. Unlike any other element of a US art school application, the Hometest cannot be curated, polished after the fact, or prepared by producing work over months — it is a timed, real-time test of observational drawing ability, and how you perform on it reflects directly on how well you have developed the foundational observational skills that RISD’s education builds on.
RISD Hometest Preparation Guide: What It Is and Why It Matters
The RISD Hometest is sent to applicants after they complete and submit their RISD application. It consists of two one-hour timed observational drawing assignments:
Drawing 1: Draw the space in front of you. This is a spatial observation exercise — the student draws what they see directly in front of them, in real time, for one hour.
Drawing 2: Draw your hand holding an object. This is a figure/still life observation exercise — the student holds an object in their non-drawing hand and draws that configuration for one hour.
Important: The prompt changes annually. The two drawings described above are based on historical Hometest formats — the specific 2025–26 Hometest may use different prompts. Always refer to the actual materials sent by RISD when completing the Hometest, not historical descriptions of prior years.
Both completed drawings are submitted through the portfolio platform (SlideRoom) as part of the portfolio materials, by the application deadline.
Why the Hometest Exists
The Hometest serves a specific evaluative purpose: it provides evidence of observational drawing ability that the portfolio alone cannot guarantee. A portfolio can be curated over months, with the student selecting only the best pieces, revising until satisfied, and presenting work that may not represent their real-time drawing ability.
The Hometest cannot be curated. It must be completed in real time, under time pressure, and submitted as completed. This makes it the most honest direct evidence of where the student’s observational drawing skill actually is — not where it is in their best moments.
For RISD’s educational philosophy — which places observational drawing at the foundation of all creative practice — this direct evidence is essential to the admissions evaluation.
What RISD Evaluates in the Hometest
Based on RISD admissions guidance and the school’s educational priorities:
Observational accuracy: Does the drawing reflect what was actually in front of the student? Is the spatial relationship, scale, and proportion of objects in the drawing consistent with reality?
Compositional decision-making: How did the student choose to frame and organize the observed scene within the drawing surface? This reflects design thinking, not just copying.
Line quality and material use: How does the student use the drawing tools available? What decisions are made about mark-making?
Use of time: Does the drawing feel complete and considered, or rushed and incomplete? A drawing that shows thoughtful, sustained engagement with the subject for the full hour is more competitive than one that appears frantic or unfinished.
How to Prepare for the RISD Hometest
The most effective RISD Hometest preparation starts at least 4 months before the application deadline — not with general drawing practice, but with timed observational drawing specifically formatted to the Hometest structure.
Start Hometest-specific practice at least 4 months before the application deadline. This is distinct from general portfolio preparation — it specifically trains the timed observational format that the Hometest requires.
Practice the timed format consistently. Set a timer for exactly one hour. Sit in front of a real scene (a corner of your room, a window view, a still life arrangement) and draw what you see. At the end of one hour, stop — regardless of whether the drawing feels finished.
The discipline of working within a strict time limit is itself a skill that requires practice. Students who have not practiced this format consistently frequently report that the time pressure affected their Hometest performance significantly.
Practice drawing your hand holding objects. The hand-with-object prompt (or variations of it) has been a recurring Hometest format. Practice drawing your non-dominant hand holding various objects: a ball, a book, a cup, a phone. Draw these in one-hour sessions consistently.
Practice spatial drawing. Sit in various spaces — your studio, a cafe, a corner of a room — and draw the space in front of you with attention to depth, scale, and the relationship between objects at different distances. Interior spatial drawing is a distinct skill from still life drawing and requires specific practice.
Seek critique on your Hometest practice drawings. Have an experienced instructor review your timed practice drawings specifically — not your portfolio pieces, but the Hometest practice. The feedback on these is the most useful preparation guidance.
Common Hometest Mistakes
Starting over when the drawing isn’t going well. The Hometest is not a finished artwork — it is a record of 60 minutes of observational drawing. Starting over wastes time and rarely produces a better result than working through initial difficulties.
Spending too much time on one area. Students who spend 45 of their 60 minutes on one portion of the drawing and leave the rest unaddressed produce drawings that feel unbalanced and incomplete.
Drawing from imagination or composing a scene rather than observing. The Hometest must be drawn from what is actually in front of you. Students who “set up” an interesting scene rather than drawing what exists naturally are not following the observational spirit of the assignment.
Not allowing enough time for submission. Photograph your completed Hometest drawings carefully, with good lighting and a camera or phone capable of capturing detail. Allow time for photography and SlideRoom upload before the deadline.
Use this RISD Hometest preparation guide alongside your portfolio development — both components of the RISD application deserve equivalent attention and preparation time.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the RISD Hometest sent to applicants? RISD sends Hometest materials after the application window opens. For Regular Decision applicants, materials are typically available from October or November, well before the January application deadline. For Early Decision applicants, materials are available even earlier.
What materials can I use for the Hometest? RISD’s Hometest instructions specify acceptable materials each year. Historically, pencil, charcoal, and other drawing media have been accepted. Follow the specific instructions sent with the Hometest materials for the year you’re applying.
Can I do the Hometest multiple times and submit my best attempt? No. The Hometest is intended to be completed once and submitted as completed. Completing it multiple times and submitting a selected attempt undermines the purpose of the Hometest.
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