QUICK ANSWER
There is no RISD Hometest to prepare for in the 2027 cycle. RISD’s current first-year requirements are a portfolio of 12–20 works with up to 3 process uploads, the Common App essay, and a recommendation; no drawing assignment is set. Advice built around “Hometest practice” is out of date, and an academy still selling it is working from old information.
What the Hometest used to test, observation and invention under a brief, now has to show inside the portfolio itself. That changes how a RISD portfolio should be planned.
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What RISD Asks For Now
| Requirement | 2026–27 |
|---|---|
| Portfolio | 12–20 works, plus up to 3 process uploads |
| Content guidance | Master copies, fan art, anime and drawing from photos discouraged; describe any AI use |
| Essay | Common App personal essay, up to 650 words |
| Recommendation | One recommendation |
| English | TOEFL 5 (new scale), IELTS 7 or Duolingo 120, unless waived |
| Deadlines | Early Decision November 1 (decisions mid-December); Regular Decision January 20 (decisions mid-March) |
From RISD first-year admissions, application tips and English proficiency pages, checked October 2026.
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Where the Hometest Skills Go Now
- Observation: include drawings from life, not from photographs.
- Invention: show at least one self-set project, from idea to result.
- Process: use the 3 process uploads to show how a piece developed.
- Range: 12–20 works leave room for more than one medium.
FOR KOREAN STUDENTS
If an academy offers a “RISD Hometest course”, ask what it is based on; RISD does not set one. See red flags in academy marketing and whether to apply RISD Early Decision.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does RISD still have a Hometest?
No. RISD’s current first-year requirements are a portfolio, the Common App essay and a recommendation.
How many works does RISD want?
12–20 works, with up to 3 process uploads.
What should replace Hometest practice?
Drawing from life, a self-directed project and documented process inside the portfolio.
When does RISD release decisions?
Mid-December for Early Decision and mid-March for Regular Decision.
Does Cooper Union still use a Hometest?
Yes. Cooper Union’s School of Art sets one with 6 visual and 10 written prompts.
ROYAL BLUE ART & DESIGN
For 19 years we have prepared Korean students for U.S. art schools from our studio in Apgujeong, Seoul. Our public record lists 1,099 acceptances confirmed directly with students, including 68 at RISD. Call 02-3446-5929 or book a consultation.
From RISD first-year admissions, application tips and English proficiency pages, and Cooper Union’s School of Art application page. Checked October 2026. If something here has changed, tell us and we will correct it.
Related reading: The Cooper Union Hometest · Red Flags · RISD Early Decision · Checking a RISD Record · Royal Blue Results