How does the diagnostic work?
Updated
The diagnostic is the first thing you do on Aniko: 2 short study sessions of 12 questions each, one for Math and one for Reading and Writing. If you chose to study only one section, it's 1 session of 20 questions. When you finish, Aniko builds your study plan.
Why it matters
The questions adapt to your answers, so the diagnostic gives Aniko a first read of your level in each domain. Your plan uses it to choose what to practice first. It's a starting point, not a verdict. Your plan keeps adjusting with every session and test after it.
Take the diagnostic
- After you create your account, go to Home. Your sessions are listed under Onboarding tasks. On Study Plan, they're under Diagnostic tasks.
- Click a session to start it. You can take them in either order.
- Answer every question and finish the session, then do the same for the other one.
When you finish the last session, Aniko creates your study plan, usually within a few moments.
Note
You can take a full practice test instead. Finishing one also starts your study plan, and it counts toward your plan's practice test limit.
What finishing starts
- Your study plan, built around your SAT date, study days and goals.
- The Lock-In Challenge. You can join once your plan is ready. See How does the Lock-In Challenge work?
- Your mastery. Your skill and domain mastery start from your diagnostic answers.
Your first score estimate usually needs more than the diagnostic. It appears after a full or half practice test, or once you've answered enough questions in every domain. See How does the score estimate work?
Settings you change before you finish
You can change your Study Plan Settings before you finish the diagnostic. Your changes are saved and apply once you finish. The diagnostic sessions stay as they were made, so finish both even if you've since switched to one section.
Other things called diagnostic
Two other places in Aniko use the word for something else:
- The Score Guarantee checklist in Study Plan Settings has a step called Finish the diagnostic. It means 1 full practice test plus 8 study sessions or Review Labs from your plan, not the sessions you take at sign-up. See How does the Score Guarantee work?
- The Challenge page shows a Diagnostic Test button until your plan is ready. It opens a full practice test.
Frequently asked questions
No. Your diagnostic answers stay in your history, like any other session. You don't need a retake: your plan keeps learning from everything you do next, so a rough first session evens out as you practice.
No, because your plan needs a first read of your level. You can take a full practice test instead, and finishing one starts your plan too.
No. Take the sessions in either order.
Yes. They count toward your weekly allowance of 100 questions, like any study session. See Free plan limits.
No. Plan completion counts work from your study plan, which starts after the diagnostic. See How is study plan completion counted?
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