NNAT3 Level B exam-day guide
NNAT3 Level B · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Know the test format before test day
NNAT3 Level B is a nonverbal reasoning test for second-grade students. It uses only pictures and geometric shapes, with no reading required, and is typically administered in a group setting at school. The test is untimed, but most administrations allow roughly 30 minutes. Confirm the exact session length and setting with your school or test coordinator.
Confirm the test date, time, and location with the school
Level B is usually given at the child's school during a scheduled session. Ask the coordinator for the start time, where students report, and whether any paperwork is needed. Do not assume a date or venue; confirm it directly with the provider.
Check whether any registration or consent form is required
Some schools handle registration internally, while others ask families to sign a consent or information form. Ask the coordinator whether anything must be submitted in advance and by what deadline.
Confirm what identification or paperwork the student needs
Young students often need no personal ID because the school verifies enrollment. If the test is given at an outside testing center, ask what the student should bring. Confirm the requirement with the provider rather than guessing.
Ask about approved accommodations in advance
If the student has a documented need for extra time, a separate room, or another accommodation, request it well before test day. Approval processes take time, and accommodations are not granted on the spot. Confirm eligibility and the request deadline with the school or testing provider.
Prepare simple, familiar supplies
Ask the coordinator which supplies are provided and which the student should bring. Typical items might include two sharpened No. 2 pencils, an eraser, and a simple snack if the school permits one. Keep supplies plain and free of notes or markings.
Confirm the break and snack policy
Ask whether the session includes a break and whether water or a snack is allowed. Some schools schedule testing around lunch or recess. Confirm the specific policy with the coordinator.
Check whether any device or calculator is permitted
NNAT3 is a paper-and-pencil or online test of visual reasoning, and calculators are not part of the task. Ask whether the session is on paper or on a computer so the student knows what to expect. Confirm device rules with the provider.
Practice the four question types briefly
Level B items ask the student to complete a pattern, reason by analogy, continue a serial sequence, or solve a spatial visualization puzzle. A short, low-pressure practice session using sample items helps the student understand the directions. Do not drill heavily in the final days.
Plan a calm, normal morning routine
Ensure the student gets a full night's sleep and eats a usual breakfast. Arrive at school or the testing site with time to spare so the start is not rushed. Avoid introducing new routines or stressful conversations about performance.
Prepare the student for the untimed format
Explain that the test is not timed, so it is fine to think carefully before answering. Encourage the student to read or listen to each direction and to check work if time allows. Reassure the student that guessing is allowed when unsure.
Keep test-day logistics simple
Know the drop-off and pick-up plan, and confirm whether the school day schedule changes because of testing. Have a backup contact number for the school office. Confirm any schedule change with the school in advance.
Plan the day
Confirm the test date, time, location, and any required forms with the school or testing provider. Ask about accommodations, break policy, and whether the session is on paper or on a computer. Keep any practice brief and low-pressure: one short session on the four item types, then stop. Protect normal sleep and meals, and avoid last-minute drilling or talk about scores.
Lay out supplies the night before, such as sharpened pencils and an eraser, if the school does not provide them. Confirm the morning schedule and transportation. Keep the evening calm and familiar, with a normal bedtime. Remind the student that the test is untimed and that it is fine to think carefully. Do not introduce new practice materials the night before.
Eat a normal breakfast and arrive with time to spare. Bring only what the school permits, leaving toys, smart devices, and notes at home unless the coordinator says otherwise. Keep the tone encouraging and matter-of-fact. Remind the student to listen to the directions, look at each picture carefully, and answer every question even when unsure.
Follow the proctor's directions and work at a steady pace. Encourage the student to eliminate answer choices that clearly do not fit, then choose the best remaining option. Because the test is untimed, the student can check answers if time allows. If the student feels stuck or anxious, a calm breath and moving on to the next item is a good strategy. Do not discuss specific items with classmates during breaks.
Rules to check
Follow the school's or testing provider's instructions on what to bring and what to leave outside the testing room. Confirm the specific rules with the provider before test day.
Bring any required identification or paperwork only if the provider asks for it. For in-school administrations, enrollment usually serves as verification, but confirm this with the coordinator.
Do not use unauthorized aids such as notes, calculators, or smart devices during the session. Ask the proctor in advance if any tool is permitted.
Breaks are governed by the school's testing schedule. Confirm whether a break is included and whether snacks or water are allowed in the testing room.
The NNAT3 is untimed, but the school may set a practical session limit. Confirm the expected session length so the student is not surprised.
Scores are reported to the school and are typically used for gifted and talented screening or instructional planning. Ask the school how and when results will be shared with families.
If a student needs an accommodation, request it through the school or provider well before test day. Accommodations are not typically arranged on the spot.
Keep test content confidential. Students and families should not share or discuss specific items after the session, and should follow the school's rules on test security.