NNAT3 Level A exam-day guide
NNAT3 Level A · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Confirm test format and location with the school or testing provider
NNAT3 Level A is commonly administered in a group setting at a school, but districts and providers set their own schedules and formats. Confirm the date, start time, arrival time, building entrance, and whether the test is paper or online. If anything about logistics is unclear, confirm with the provider rather than assuming.
Verify what identification or authorization the site requires
Requirements vary by site and are often handled through the school rather than the family. Ask whether a parent or guardian must sign in, whether any photo ID is needed, and whether a registration confirmation must be shown. Mark this as needs_review and confirm with the provider.
Confirm permitted and prohibited items
Ask the provider in advance about calculators, phones, smartwatches, and other devices, and about whether water or a snack is allowed. Do not assume a policy; confirm with the provider.
Bring two or more sharpened No. 2 pencils with good erasers if the test is paper
A spare pencil avoids lost time if a tip breaks. Confirm with the provider whether pencils are supplied on site or must be brought.
Bring a simple eraser
Clean erasing matters because stray marks can be misread on a scanned answer sheet. A separate eraser is useful even if the pencils have erasers.
Leave phones, smartwatches, and other devices at home or stowed as directed
Devices can distract a young child and may be restricted at the site. Confirm the device policy with the provider beforehand so there is no surprise at check-in.
Get a normal night of sleep for two nights before the test
Level A is given to young children, so fatigue affects attention more than last-minute practice does. Keep bedtimes ordinary rather than dramatically earlier.
Plan the route and arrival buffer
Know the drive time, parking, and the exact door to use. Aim to arrive early enough to check in calmly; a rushed arrival raises a child's anxiety more than any question on the test.
Prepare a simple breakfast and normal hydration
Offer a familiar breakfast rather than a new food. Confirm with the provider whether a bathroom break is available before testing begins.
Tell the child what to expect in plain language
Explain that they will look at patterns and shapes, choose answers, and that some questions may be hard. Emphasize trying their best and that it is not a pass-or-fail event for them.
Keep the morning calm and avoid quizzing
Do not drill practice questions in the car or at the door. A short, reassuring conversation is more useful than last-minute review for this age group.
Know how results will be shared
Ask the school or provider how and when scores are reported and who interprets them. Confirm with the provider; reporting practices differ by district.
Plan the day
Confirm the logistics in writing: date, arrival time, entrance, permitted items, and ID or sign-in requirements. If any answer is missing, contact the provider. At most, do one short, low-pressure practice session using the same question style, then stop.
Keep the routine ordinary. Avoid heavy practice or new material. Check that pencils and an eraser are ready if they are required, and set out clothes and anything needed for the morning.
Do a final logistics check: route, parking, and the alarm. Charge nothing that will be brought if devices are prohibited; leave devices at home. Keep the evening calm, avoid arguing about practice, and protect a normal bedtime. Do not introduce new test-preparation material.
Eat a familiar breakfast, arrive with buffer time, and keep conversation light. Remind the child to listen to the directions, read each question carefully, and choose the best answer. If paper-based, confirm the answer sheet is filled in as directed.
Follow the proctor's directions exactly. Work at a steady pace and do not spend too long on one item; if unsure, mark the best choice and move on. Use remaining time to check that answers are marked clearly and that no stray marks remain. If the format allows going back, review skipped items.
Ask simple, low-pressure questions about how it went, then move on. Do not rehash specific questions. Note any comments the child makes about timing or directions in case the school asks, and wait for the provider's reporting process.
Rules to check
Follow all directions given by the proctor or test administrator, including when to start, stop, and turn pages or advance screens.
Keep the workspace clear. Only materials the provider permits may be on the desk; confirm the permitted-items list with the provider in advance.
Phones, smartwatches, and other devices must be left at home or stowed exactly as the site directs. Do not assume the site's device policy; confirm with the provider.
Identification and sign-in requirements are set by the school or testing provider. Confirm with the provider what the child or accompanying adult must bring.
Breaks are set by the site and are not chosen by the candidate. Ask the provider in advance whether a bathroom break is available and how it is handled.
Answer every question if the format allows it. There is no penalty described for guessing in the materials typically provided, but confirm scoring details with the provider rather than relying on assumption.
Do not attempt to record, photograph, or share test content. Test materials and items are confidential to the testing program.
Scoring and reporting are handled by the school or provider. Ask the provider how and when results are released and who will explain them; do not expect an immediate score.