Home Preparedness Score

How the score is calculated

The score covers 10 areas: food, water, emergency supplies, first aid, communication, backup power, household plan, evacuation readiness, financial and essential documents.

Points for each answer

Answer	Points
No	0
Partly	1
Mostly	2
Yes	3

Category scores

Each category has three questions, so the most it can score is 9 points. We turn that into a score out of 10:

Category score = points ÷ 9 × 10, rounded to one decimal place.

For example, answering Yes, Mostly and Partly gives 3 + 2 + 1 = 6 points, which is 6 ÷ 9 × 10 = 6.7 out of 10.

Overall score

Overall score = the average of the 10 category scores × 10, rounded to the nearest whole number, out of 100. Every category counts equally.

Bands

Score	Band
0 to 39	Getting started
40 to 69	Building
70 to 89	Well prepared
90 to 100	Highly prepared

Strengths and gaps

Your strengths are your three highest-scoring categories (that scored above zero). Your gaps are your three lowest-scoring categories that are not already at 10. Where scores tie, categories appear in the order listed above. Each gap comes with one concrete next step and links to the guide or tool that helps.

Assumptions and limits

• Every category is weighted equally. In real life, water and warmth usually matter most in the first hours of an emergency, so start there if you are unsure.
• The questions describe a typical UK household. Your situation may need extra planning, for example if someone relies on powered medical equipment.
• The score reflects your own answers. It cannot check what you actually have.

Frequently asked questions

How is the score worked out?

Each answer is worth 0 to 3 points. Each category has 3 questions, so 9 points maximum. A category score is points divided by 9, times 10. Your overall score is the average of the 10 category scores, times 10, out of 100.

Is my result stored anywhere?

Your last result is stored only in this browser using local storage, so you can see it when you return. It is never sent to Stay Prepped. Use Clear my result to delete it.

What is a good score?

Scores of 70 and above mean you are well prepared. But any score is a starting point. The aim is to close your biggest gaps one at a time, not to reach 100 overnight.

How often should I retake it?

Every few months, or after a big change such as moving home, a new baby or a new pet.