What is the plate tapping test?
The plate tapping test measures how quickly a child can move one hand back and forth between two targets while the other hand stays still. It reflects speed of limb movement and hand–eye coordination.
Plate Tapping Test diagram
Who takes the plate tapping test
Age 5–8 — Class 1 to 3.
Equipment
- Table with adjustable height
- Two yellow discs, 20 cm in diameter, with their centres 60 cm apart
- A 30 × 20 cm rectangle placed midway between the two discs
- Stopwatch
Plate Tapping Test procedure
- The child stands facing the table with feet slightly apart.
- The non-preferred hand rests on the rectangle in the middle. The preferred hand is placed on the disc on the opposite side.
- On “Go”, the child moves the preferred hand back and forth between the two discs as fast as possible, over the resting hand.
- The child completes 25 full cycles (50 taps). Stop the watch at the end of the 25th cycle.
Plate Tapping Test scoring
- Score is the time in seconds taken to complete 25 cycles — a lower time is better.
- Enter the time with one or two decimals, e.g. 14.25.
Enter the score in the fitness calculator to get the level and points for one student, or use class analysis for a whole class.
Teacher tips
- Let the child practise a few slow taps first.
- Count the taps aloud so the child knows how many are left.
How to improve
Activities suggested in the Fit India protocol:
- Paper airplane throw
- Handkerchief catch
- Frisbee
- Ruler drop
Plate Tapping Test norms by age
Score ranges for each level L1–L7, for boys and girls, from the Fit India benchmarks. Points for each level are shown in the header.
Unit: seconds · Lower is better · Ranges below use the default PDF boundary rule. “—” means no score can reach that level for that age as printed in the PDF.
Boys
| Age | L1Work Harder · 2 pts | L2Must Improve · 4 pts | L3Can Do Better · 6 pts | L4Good · 7 pts | L5Very Good · 8 pts | L6Athletic · 9 pts | L7Sports Fit · 10 pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | ≥ 19.29 | ≥ 16.7 to < 19.29 | ≥ 15.06 to < 16.7 | ≥ 14.34 to < 15.06 | ≥ 13.6 to < 14.34 | ≥ 12.72 to < 13.6 | < 12.72 |
| 6 | ≥ 18.19 | ≥ 16.31 to < 18.19 | ≥ 14.97 to < 16.31 | ≥ 14.33 to < 14.97 | ≥ 13.65 to < 14.33 | ≥ 12.8 to < 13.65 | < 12.8 |
| 7 | ≥ 16.68 | ≥ 15.07 to < 16.68 | ≥ 13.9 to < 15.07 | ≥ 13.35 to < 13.9 | ≥ 12.75 to < 13.35 | ≥ 12 to < 12.75 | < 12 |
| 8 | ≥ 15.51 | ≥ 14.1 to < 15.51 | ≥ 13.07 to < 14.1 | ≥ 12.58 to < 13.07 | ≥ 12.05 to < 12.58 | ≥ 11.37 to < 12.05 | < 11.37 |
Girls
| Age | L1Work Harder · 2 pts | L2Must Improve · 4 pts | L3Can Do Better · 6 pts | L4Good · 7 pts | L5Very Good · 8 pts | L6Athletic · 9 pts | L7Sports Fit · 10 pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | ≥ 19.29 | ≥ 16.7 to < 19.29 | ≥ 15.06 to < 16.7 | ≥ 14.34 to < 15.06 | ≥ 13.6 to < 14.34 | ≥ 12.72 to < 13.6 | < 12.72 |
| 6 | ≥ 17.77 | ≥ 15.64 to < 17.77 | ≥ 14.25 to < 15.64 | ≥ 13.62 to < 14.25 | ≥ 12.97 to < 13.62 | ≥ 12.19 to < 12.97 | < 12.19 |
| 7 | ≥ 16.38 | ≥ 14.63 to < 16.38 | ≥ 13.45 to < 14.63 | ≥ 12.91 to < 13.45 | ≥ 12.35 to < 12.91 | ≥ 11.66 to < 12.35 | < 11.66 |
| 8 | ≥ 15.53 | ≥ 14.04 to < 15.53 | ≥ 13.01 to < 14.04 | ≥ 12.53 to < 13.01 | ≥ 12.03 to < 12.53 | ≥ 11.41 to < 12.03 | < 11.41 |
Source: Fitness Protocols and Guidelines for Age 5-18 Years (v1), Fit India Mission, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Section 7 Benchmarks, pages 48-57 (baseline reference for academic year 2020-21). Values verified against the PDF.
Plate Tapping Test for Class 11 and 12 Physical Education
Students in Class 11 and 12 Physical Education often record this test in their practical file. A complete write-up ofthe plate tapping test has the aim, the equipment, the procedure, a labelled diagram (you can redraw the one above), the scoring method and your own result with its level from the norms table.
For all the tests on one page, see the printable practical file summary on the SAI Khelo India Fitness Test page.
Frequently asked questions
Is a lower or higher time better?
Lower. The faster the child completes the 25 cycles, the higher the level.
Which ages take this test?
Ages 5 to 8 (Class 1 to 3) in the Fit India Fitness Protocol.
How do I write up the plate tapping test in a Class 12 Physical Education practical file?
Write the aim (what the plate tapping test measures), the equipment, the procedure step by step, a labelled diagram, how it is scored, and your own result with the level from the norms table. The SAI Khelo India Fitness Test page has a printable summary of every test.