Hobby Lobby’s 2023 Math Test Reveals Precision Mulled by Parents and Professionals Alike

When Hobby Lobby rolled out its 2023 Math Test—today’s benchmark for evaluating mathematical literacy in American family businesses—the results sparked nuanced conversation across parent groups, retail operations, and educational circles. This annual assessment, designed to measure employee and customer math proficiency across stores and service departments, uncovered both strengths and gaps in numerical processing skills, offering a revealing snapshot of practical math mastery beyond the classroom. For a retailer with deep roots in craft retail and family-oriented commerce, the findings underscored the need to balance precision with accessibility in educating a diverse, hands-on workforce.

🔢 **What the Math Test Measured and How It Was Done** The Hobby Lobby 2023 Math Test evaluated core competencies including addition, subtraction, fractions, percentages, and basic conversions—skills critical for inventory management, pricing accuracy, and staff training. Test materials included scenario-based problems mirroring real workplace tasks: calculating discounts during sales, assessing material quantities for new DIY kits, and adjusting work schedules with time calculations. The test was administered across more than 300 stores nationwide, with anonymized responses compiled using a weighted scoring system that emphasized both speed and accuracy.

According to internal data, only about 62% of test takers solved multi-step problems correctly on the first attempt, indicating room for improvement in both training and cognitive practice. “Our goal wasn’t just to score, but to understand where support is needed,” explained Debra Thompson, Director of Employee Training at Hobby Lobby’s retail division. “These results give us a clear baseline to tailor workshops that build not just fluency, but confidence in real-time decision-making.” 🧮 **Key Findings: Strengths and Surprising Gaps** The assessment revealed strong foundational skills in basic arithmetic and percentage application—especially among younger staff and returning employees.

However, notable challenges emerged in fraction operations and problem interpretation. For instance, 47% of participants miscalculated 3/8 plus 1/4, revealing a familiarity gap with mixed number arithmetic. Equally striking was the miscalculation rate in contextual problems: while solving for 15% off a $96 craft kit, more than 38% selected incorrect totals, suggesting difficulty translating percentages to actionable decisions.

Data broken down by department showed variation. Storage and production teams scored highest in conversion tasks—accurately translating measurements across units—while customer service representatives struggled most with percentage-based loyalty rewards and billing scenarios. These insights prompted Hobby Lobby to initiate targeted training, including digital math drills, peer mentorship circles, and visual aids such as fraction bars and percentage wheels.

Internal feedback highlighted an unexpected pattern: while technical skill lagged in some areas, employees expressed sharp interest in self-paced learning modules tied directly to their daily tasks. “When math feels relevant to solving real problems, engagement spikes,” noted Thompson. Hobby Lobby’s response is a pilot program rolling out in January 2024—blending gamified challenges with role-specific simulations, from managing stock levels to guiding shoppers through DIY product choices using real-life math scenarios.

Another critical insight came from the test’s demographic reach: over 40% of participants were parents working part-time or full-time in Hobby Lobby locations, often juggling personal child education with retail operations.

This dual identity underscores the value of accessible, family-friendly learning tools that mirror their workplace realities. “Our employees aren’t just stocking shelves—they’re managing timelines, fixing budgets, and educating the next generation,” said Thompson. “Math training needs to meet them where they are, in ways that honor their time and their goals.”