Assessments for Homeschoolers – Choose What Works for Your Family

Order Remote Assessments Online: Parents can now purchase formal assessments directly through the SAHomeschoolers.org website. These are available in English and Afrikaans and provided by Dr. Louise Holman, an industrial psychologist with extensive experience in educational testing.

Available Assessments:

• CAPS-aligned Curriculum Checks (Gr. 1–9) – Light benchmarking against national curriculum standards.
• Curriculum-independent Academic Abilities Assessment (Gr. 1–12) – Thinking, reasoning, number, words, and symbol abilities.
• Subject Choice Assessment (Gr. 9) – Combines abilities, career interests, and personality for subject selection.
• Career Choice Assessment (School leavers) – Helps learners align abilities, personality, and career interests.

[Click here to view and order complete lists of assessments ]

Why Assessments Matter

When homeschooling, the most powerful forms of assessment already happen naturally:

• Observation of your child’s learning and problem-solving skills.
• Conversations and narrations that reveal understanding.
• Projects, experiments, and creative work.
• Informal checklists or journals to track progress.

These methods give parents a deep and accurate picture of what their child knows and can do—often more meaningful than a test score.

Formal assessments, however, can be useful in certain situations, especially when parents want an external benchmark or objective confirmation of progress.

Informal Assessment Tools (Parent-led)

• Observation
• Narration
• Discussions
• Informal quizzes
• Projects
• Journals and anecdotal records

Formal Assessment Tools (External or Structured)

• Assignments and past exam papers
• Standardized tests
• Portfolios
• Independent evaluators (psychologists, teachers, etc.)

Why Parents Choose Remote Formal Assessments

• Adds an objective snapshot to complement your own insights.
• Benchmarks progress against CAPS or broader academic standards.
• Supports subject and career choice decisions.
• Provides documentation in cases of custody, foster care, or disputes.
• Builds confidence in learners by practicing test-taking in a low-pressure home setting.
• Affordable, quick turnaround, and parental oversight.

How It Works

1. Parent register on the SAHomeschoolers.org website and place an order.
2. Receive test materials and instructions by email.
3. Administer the test at home (supervised by the parent).
4. Send answer sheets back via email.
5. Receive a detailed report within a week.

Trust and Expertise

These assessments are designed by Dr. Louise Holman, Industrial Psychologist and founder of the Holman Institute for Educational and Psychological Evaluation and Research. Her products are widely used by independent schools across South Africa.

Final Note for Parents

Parents and children can feel some pressure to do well on these tests. But parents are encouraged to hold the scores loosely and remember that these are simply a snapshot of a child on a given (good or bad) day. 

Remember: Assessments are tools, not verdicts.

• Use them alongside the insights you already gain daily through conversations, observations, and shared learning.
• They provide support, reassurance, and guidance—not the full picture of your child.

By combining natural parent-led assessments with occasional independent benchmarks, you can support your child’s learning journey with confidence.

Please note: These assessment results are confidential and will not be shared with third parties.

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