The short answer
They do different jobs. NAATI's paid practice test gives you one assessed attempt marked against the real standard, but it costs $165 and results take weeks. Online mock tests give you volume and instant feedback for much less, but they are not official assessments.
Most candidates get the best value by building skill with frequent online practice first, then using a single NAATI practice test as a checkpoint, booked early enough that the result arrives before the real exam.
What NAATI's paid practice test includes
According to NAATI's announcement of paid practice tests:
- Cost: $165 including GST.
- Length: about 30 minutes.
- Format: two dialogues of about 300 words each, in English and your other language, delivered the same way as the real CCL.
- Marking: each dialogue is scored out of 45. To pass you need 63/90 overall and at least 29/45 in each dialogue.
- Results: issued within 4 to 6 weeks, with feedback on your performance.
- Booking: through myNAATI, by submitting a Practice Test application and choosing a session under Manage My Tests.
Two limits matter. A practice test result cannot be used to claim migration points, and passing it does not guarantee a pass on the day. Check myNAATI for which languages and sessions are currently available for Indonesian before planning around it.
Don't confuse it with the free practice test. NAATI's free practice test lets you try the online test platform with one dialogue. It is not proctored and gives no results or feedback. It is worth doing once so the interface is familiar on exam day.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | NAATI paid practice test | Online mock tests |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $165 per attempt | Usually a monthly subscription; ours is from $19.99 for a month |
| Dialogues | 2 per attempt | Many dialogues you can repeat |
| Who marks it | NAATI, against the CCL standard | Automated or provider feedback; not official |
| Feedback speed | 4 to 6 weeks | Usually immediate |
| Indonesian-specific content | Yes, in the tested language pair | Varies: many tools cover dozens of languages |
| Best for | A realistic checkpoint before the real test | Daily practice, building speed and fixing habits |
When you compare online tools, check whether the dialogues were written for Indonesian–English specifically. Platforms built for many languages may not be written around Indonesian, so traps such as gender-neutral dia, the decimal comma and words like malah or padahal may not be covered.
How to time both before your exam
Because NAATI practice results can take up to six weeks, the order matters.
| Time before exam | What to do |
|---|---|
| 10–12 weeks | Start regular online practice. Take NAATI's free practice test to learn the platform. |
| 8 weeks | If you plan to use NAATI's paid practice test, sit it now so results can arrive about two weeks before the exam. |
| 8–2 weeks | Keep practising unseen dialogues. Log every omission and number error. |
| 2–4 weeks | Read NAATI's feedback when it arrives and target the weak areas it identifies. |
| Final week | Two timed mock dialogues back to back, every other day. Rest the day before. |
If your exam is less than six weeks away, the paid practice result may arrive too late to act on. In that case, put the money and time into frequent timed practice instead. Our 4-week and 8-week study plans lay this out week by week.
Is the $165 worth it?
It can be, if you have the time and want a reading from NAATI before paying the $814 test fee. It is most useful for candidates who are close to ready and want confirmation, or who keep scoring well on informal practice and want to test that against the official standard.
It is less useful as a first step. If you are still missing several details per dialogue, an assessed result will mostly tell you what daily practice would also show, only weeks later. Fix the obvious problems first with unseen dialogues and self-review, using our solo practice techniques and sample dialogues.
For the full cost picture, including the exam fee and rebooking rules, see what NAATI CCL costs in total.
Practise before you pay $165
Indonesian–English dialogues written for this language pair, with instant per-segment feedback. Your first dialogue is free.
Try a free dialogueFrequently asked questions
How much is the NAATI paid CCL practice test?
NAATI lists the assessed CCL practice test at $165 including GST. It runs for about 30 minutes and contains two dialogues, like the real test.
How long do NAATI practice test results take?
NAATI says results for the paid practice test are issued within 4 to 6 weeks. Book it early enough that the feedback arrives before your real exam.
Can a NAATI practice test result be used for migration points?
No. NAATI states that practice test results cannot be used to claim points, and passing a practice test does not guarantee a pass in the real test.
Is the free NAATI practice test the same as the paid one?
No. The free practice test lets you try the online platform with one dialogue and gives no results or feedback. The paid practice test has two dialogues and is assessed.
Are online mock tests marked by NAATI?
No. Independent mock tests, including ours, are study tools. Their scores and feedback are not NAATI assessments and do not predict your official result.
Sources and update
Updated . Independent study material by Indonesian NAATI. Not affiliated with NAATI. Rules may change; check the official sources before booking.