FAQ
Common questions
What ages is Cognora for?
Roughly Years 3 to 6. OC candidates sit the test in Year 4; Selective candidates in Year 6.
Do we need an account to start?
No. The free question library works with no account and no sign-up.
Which exams does it cover?
NSW Opportunity Class (OC), Selective High School Placement Test, HAST, and independent school scholarship tests.
Does it mark the Writing section?
No. Writing requires human feedback and is best done with a teacher or tutor.
What does it cost?
The curated question library is free with no account and no card. Unlimited is $14.99 a month or $59.99 a year, and the annual plan starts with a 7-day free trial. Prices are in Australian dollars and billed through your Apple ID.
Does it align with the NSW school curriculum?
Not directly, and deliberately so. The OC and Selective tests are ability tests rather than syllabus tests — Thinking Skills in particular has no classroom equivalent. Cognora is built against the format and difficulty of the real papers, not against the Year 5 and 6 syllabus your child already covers at school.
Can we use it offline?
Yes. The free question library is downloaded to the device, so practice and the monthly taster mock work with no connection. Unlimited features that generate fresh questions need the internet, and the app tells you when it is offline rather than failing silently.
How much screen time does it involve?
A useful session is 15 to 20 minutes — one daily challenge or a short focus set. The app is built for that: no ads, no chat, no video feed, no streak mechanics that punish a day off. A weekly mock paper is longer because a real paper is.
What data do you collect about my child?
As little as we can. No account is required, there are no ads and no third-party advertising or analytics SDKs. The app signs in anonymously, practice statistics live on the device, and we never ask for your child’s name. A parent may optionally use Sign in with Apple to sync across devices, which can use Apple’s private-relay email address. See the privacy policy for the detail.
Is it affiliated with the NSW Department of Education?
No. Cognora is an independent study aid with no affiliation or endorsement.
How do I cancel a subscription?
Through your Apple ID in App Store account settings. Cancel at least 24 hours before the period ends to avoid renewal.
Is there an Android version?
Not yet — Cognora is iOS only today. Whether we build one comes down to how many families ask for it, so the Android list below is the thing that decides it. Add your email and it is counted; we will not email you about anything else.