Question 1

What is the diagnostic test?

Accepted Answer

A short test your child sits on screen, in one subject at their year level, that finds what they are confident with and where they need help. You get a report of each area — with the specific skills, every answer explained and three ways to help at home — and practice papers on the areas it found, to sit on screen or print.

Question 2

How long does it take?

Accepted Answer

Most tests take 20 to 35 minutes. There is a first part of 20 to 28 questions, then a few follow-up questions chosen from the answers to the first part. Progress is saved as they go, so a break or a refresh loses nothing.

Question 3

How accurate is it?

Accepted Answer

As accurate as the answers allow, and honest about the rest. A wrong answer to one question can be a slip, so a skill missed once is asked again, and areas where the result could go either way get extra questions. Guesses your child marks, and answers given in a couple of seconds, are not counted as evidence. Every area in the report says how firm its result is, and anything not yet firm is called an early sign rather than a weakness.

Question 4

Is it free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The test and the full report are free; a free account is needed to see the full report and save it. Practice papers on the weak areas are included in the Grade 3 to Year 10 plan, three new papers a month; for Year 11 and 12 each paper is purchased like a VCE paper. Without either, you can download a preview.

Question 5

Can my child sit it again?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it is worth doing every few weeks. With an account, a re-test never repeats a question, and the report combines it with the earlier sittings — the newest counting most — so each area shows whether it has gone up, gone down or held steady.

Question 6

What do you store?

Accepted Answer

Until you create an account, the result stays in this browser only. Once saved, your account keeps the answers, how long each question took, whether it was marked as a guess, and the first name you gave, if any. You can delete a result at any time.

Question 7

What exactly do I get?

Accepted Answer

A printable exam paper as a PDF, and a separate answer key as a second PDF. The paper is laid out like the real test — sections, timing, and calculator rules where they apply — so it can be sat at the kitchen table under real conditions and marked afterwards.

Question 8

Which year levels and subjects are covered?

Accepted Answer

Grade 3 to Year 12. Maths, Reading and Language Conventions from Grade 3 to Year 10, all in the NAPLAN format, with Science in Grade 6 and Years 8 and 10 (NAPLAN does not test Science, so the NAPLAN years focus on the tests their students sit). For Year 11 and 12, VCE Chemistry, Physics, Mathematical Methods, General Mathematics and Specialist Mathematics.

Question 9

Are these real NAPLAN or VCE papers?

Accepted Answer

No. They are original practice papers written to match the format, timing and year-level demand of the real tests. PrepNest is independent and is not affiliated with ACARA, which runs NAPLAN, or the VCAA, which runs the VCE.

Question 10

Does PrepNest cover NAPLAN Writing?

Accepted Answer

Not yet. The papers cover Numeracy, Reading and Language Conventions. Writing needs a prompt and a marking rubric rather than scored questions, and it is being built separately.

Question 11

How do I mark a paper?

Accepted Answer

Use the answer key, then open the paper on PrepNest and choose "Enter results". Everything starts marked correct, so you only tap the questions that were wrong. You will see which topics need work, with a link straight to practice on exactly those topics.

Question 12

Can I do the papers on screen instead of printing them?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every paper you have unlocked can be sat on screen from start to finish, with a countdown timer and a working-out pad, then marked straight away with every answer explained; written VCE answers are checked against the marking guide. Reading papers sit side by side with their texts, the way NAPLAN Online sets them. Or print the PDF: VCE exams are sat on paper, and a full paper sat in one go away from a screen builds the same pacing and stamina.

Question 13

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

A plan unlocks every Grade 3 – Year 10 paper — NAPLAN and school years, every subject, every year level: $29 for 1 month, $59 for 3 months, $119 for 12 months, from $9.92 a month. VCE papers are $20 each, purchased once. The first half of every paper is free to flip through, so you can see exactly what you are getting first.

Question 14

Is it a subscription?

Accepted Answer

Plans are. They renew automatically at the same price — $29 a month, or every 3 or 12 months on the longer plans — until you cancel. VCE papers are one-off purchases with nothing to cancel.

Question 15

How do I cancel?

Accepted Answer

From your account page: choose "Manage or cancel plan" and cancel in one click. There is no phone call or form. You keep access until the end of the period you have already paid for, and you are not charged again.

Question 16

Do I need an account to purchase?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The purchase is attached to the account that makes it, and you sign in with that account to download. Creating an account is free.

Question 17

Is paying online safe?

Accepted Answer

Payments are handled by Stripe on its own secure checkout page. PrepNest never sees or stores your card details. Stripe emails you a receipt.

Question 18

I paid but the papers are still locked.

Accepted Answer

Unlocking usually takes a few seconds after payment. Refresh the exam papers page while signed in to the account you paid with. If it is still locked after a minute, contact us and we will sort it out — you will not be charged twice.

Question 19

My children are in different year levels.

Accepted Answer

One plan covers them all: it unlocks every Grade 3 – Year 10 paper, whatever year each child is in.

Question 20

Will there be more papers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. New papers are added throughout the year, and every new paper for Grade 3 to Year 10 is included in your plan at no extra cost as soon as it is published.

Question 21

What if my child runs out of papers?

Accepted Answer

Tell us. Choose "Request more papers" at the bottom of the exam papers page, or on any paper you have, and say what your child needs. Our team is busy, but we will make it work for your child and arrange more papers.

Question 22

Do I need a credit card to start?

Accepted Answer

No. The diagnostic test, the first half of every paper and the free practice questions need no payment details at all.

Question 23

What does a free account add?

Accepted Answer

It keeps your results. Marked papers and practice sessions are saved, so progress by topic builds up over time, and students earn XP and streaks on the weekly leaderboard.

Question 24

I forgot my password.

Accepted Answer

Use "Forgot password?" on the sign-in page and we will email you a reset link.

Question 25

How does the parent dashboard work?

Accepted Answer

Create a parent account, then link it to your child with a one-time invite code. The dashboard shows their accuracy by topic, how many sessions they have completed, and their XP this week.

Question 26

Should my child sit a paper timed?

Accepted Answer

For the closest thing to the real test, yes: one sitting, timed, no notes. Each paper shows its time allowance for every section. Earlier in the year, untimed practice on weak topics is often the better use of an hour.

Help & FAQ

The diagnostic test

The exam papers

Purchasing

Accounts

For parents

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