A ROUTINE YOU CAN ADAPT
A flexible NNAT practice plan
This two-week outline is an optional learning routine, not an official preparation prescription. Adjust it for your child’s age, attention, school schedule and familiarity with visual puzzles.
Updated October 8, 2026 · Independent parent guide
Before the first session
Confirm the assigned test and level. Choose a quiet setting and decide what a comfortable session looks like. For a young child that may be only a few minutes. Older students may work more independently. Use the grade guides for stage-specific suggestions.
Week 1: understand and explain
| Session | Learning focus | Review question |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Learn the directions using a simple untimed example. | Can the child explain how to select an answer? |
| 2 | Explore a missing-piece problem. | Which edges must connect? |
| 3 | Explore an analogy. | What changes, and what stays the same? |
| 4 | Revisit one missed clue using a fresh example. | Does the rule transfer to new shapes? |
Week 2: compare and work independently
| Session | Learning focus | Review question |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Mix familiar types in a small untimed set. | Can the student choose a useful strategy? |
| 6 | Compare a correct answer with a tempting distractor. | Which specific clue does the wrong choice violate? |
| 7 | Try a short timed set only if the format is familiar. | Were errors about reasoning, selection or pace? |
| 8 | Review representative mistakes and test-day details. | What simple routine will the student use independently? |
What to record
- A brief description of the missed clue.
- Whether help was needed with directions or reasoning.
- One strategy that worked without an adult hint.
- Whether the session felt comfortable or too long.
When to simplify or stop
If the child is guessing randomly, simplify the demonstration rather than extending the session. If the child is tired, stop. If the student proposes a reasonable alternate relationship, inspect the example for ambiguity. The plan should support reasoning and confidence, not turn every mistake into a score event.
Use the available examples honestly
Our four worked samples can introduce a solving routine. Repeating them cannot supply eight fresh practice sets. Use additional original, reviewed material as it becomes available; do not treat a memorized answer as evidence that a skill is mastered.