NNAT3 Level D exam-day guide
NNAT3 Level D · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Confirm test format and location with the school or testing provider
NNAT3 Level D is typically administered at a school or a district-approved testing site, and in some cases it can be taken on paper or on a computer. Confirm which format applies, the exact arrival time, and the address. Do not assume a private test center is available; ask the school counselor or the testing coordinator who registered you or your child. If you are unsure how your site handles scheduling, confirm with the provider.
Bring the registration or admission document the provider requires
Ask what the student must present on test day (for example, an admission ticket, a confirmation email, or a school-issued form). Requirements vary by site, so confirm with the provider rather than guessing. Keep the document in a folder the night before.
Bring acceptable photo identification if the site requires it
Many school-based administrations do not require separate photo ID because the student is already enrolled, but some sites do. Ask the coordinator whether the student needs ID and, if so, which forms are accepted. Mark this as confirm with the provider if you have not been told explicitly.
Bring two or more sharpened No. 2 pencils with erasers if the test is on paper
Paper administrations of reasoning tests usually require pencil-and-answer-sheet marking. Bring spare pencils and a separate eraser. If the test is computer-delivered, pencils are not needed for answering, but the site may still allow scratch paper, so ask. Confirm the paper-versus-computer format with the provider.
Ask whether scratch paper or a calculator is permitted, and do not bring one unless allowed
NNAT3 items are designed to be solved mentally, and calculators are generally not part of the test. Scratch paper rules vary by site. Do not bring a calculator or any electronic device into the testing room unless the provider explicitly permits it. Confirm with the provider.
Leave phones, smartwatches, and other devices with a parent or in a designated area
Most testing sites prohibit personal electronic devices during testing. A ringing or vibrating device can lead to a testing irregularity. Plan a place to store devices before entering the room, and confirm the site's electronics policy with the provider.
Get a normal night's sleep for the two nights before the test
Reasoning tests measure pattern recognition and attention, both of which degrade with fatigue. Aim for the student's usual bedtime rather than an unusually early one, which can backfire. Avoid late-night cramming; short, calm review is more useful than long sessions.
Eat a normal breakfast and bring a water bottle if the site allows it
Hunger and thirst distract during a timed reasoning test. Keep breakfast familiar to avoid stomach upset. Ask whether water bottles are allowed in the testing room; some sites prohibit them at desks. Confirm with the provider.
Know the timing and structure so the student is not surprised
Level D is aimed at students in roughly grades 6 through 9 and covers pattern completion, reasoning by analogy, serial reasoning, and spatial visualization. Items are multiple-choice, and the test is timed in short sections. Confirm the exact number of items and time limits for your administration with the provider, because these can differ by format and year.
Practice the four item types briefly, not intensively
Familiarity with the item types (completing a pattern, choosing a matching analogy, continuing a sequence, and reasoning about folded or rotated shapes) reduces confusion on test day. A few short practice sessions in the final week are enough. Do not drill for hours; this is a reasoning test, not a memorization test.
Plan the trip and arrival buffer
Arrive early enough to check in without rushing. Confirm parking, drop-off rules, and whether a parent must sign in. A late arrival can mean the student misses the administration. If you are unsure about arrival procedures, confirm with the provider.
Ask the provider in advance about accommodations if the student has one on file
Approved accommodations such as extended time or a separate setting usually must be arranged before test day and are not granted on the spot. Contact the school or testing coordinator well ahead. Do not assume an accommodation will carry over automatically from classroom testing; confirm with the provider.
Plan the day
Confirm the logistics: date, arrival time, address, format (paper or computer), and what to bring. Ask any remaining questions about ID, devices, scratch paper, and accommodations. Do two or three short practice sessions of about 15 to 20 minutes each, focusing on one item type at a time so the student learns to read the whole pattern before choosing. Keep evenings calm and protect normal sleep.
Pack the night-before folder: admission document, pencils and eraser if paper-based, and any permitted items. Lay out clothes and plan breakfast and transport. Do one brief, low-pressure review of the four item types, then stop. Avoid new material, long practice tests, or anything that creates anxiety. Set an alarm and go to bed at the usual time.
Eat a normal breakfast and leave with enough buffer to arrive early. Leave devices with a parent or in the designated area. Remind the student of two simple strategies: read every answer choice before marking, and if an item is hard, choose the best answer and move on rather than stalling. Keep the mood calm and matter-of-fact; do not quiz the student in the car.
Follow the proctor's directions exactly, including how to fill in or select answers and when to start and stop each section. Work at a steady pace and watch the time so no section is left unfinished. Use scratch paper only if permitted. For pattern and analogy items, check each choice against every part of the pattern rather than settling on the first plausible one. If a section is timed, do not spend too long on any single item; mark the best answer and continue. If something is unclear, such as how to record an answer, raise a hand and ask the proctor.
Do not press the student for a detailed account of individual items, and do not try to reconstruct answers. Scores are reported by the school or provider, typically with a delay, and results are usually shared with the family through the school. Ask the coordinator when and how results will be released. If the student reports a disruption during testing, tell the coordinator promptly.
Rules to check
Follow all proctor instructions about starting, stopping, and recording answers. Directions for each section are part of the test, so listen carefully rather than beginning early.
Keep all personal electronic devices, including phones and smartwatches, out of the testing room unless the provider explicitly permits them. Unauthorized devices can invalidate a score.
Bring and present only the identification and materials the provider requires. Do not bring notes, books, or study aids into the testing room unless the provider says they are allowed; confirm the materials policy with the provider.
Breaks, if any, are set by the provider and proctor. Do not leave the room during a timed section except as the proctor directs. Ask the proctor about restroom breaks before testing begins.
Scoring is based on the number of correct answers, and there is typically no penalty for guessing, so answer every item. Confirm the scoring and guessing policy for your administration with the provider.
Accommodations must be requested and approved in advance through the school or testing coordinator. They are not arranged on test day; confirm eligibility and deadlines with the provider.
If the student feels ill, is disrupted, or believes there was a testing irregularity, notify the proctor and the coordinator immediately. Do not wait until after results are released.
Do not attempt to copy, photograph, or share test items. Test materials are confidential, and sharing them can lead to score cancellation.