At Royal Prep the princesses are anticipating their dance class when the fairy headmistresses enter to tell them that the day's classes have been cancelled, because they're going to give a test on the role of a princess. Advising them to revise before the test's due to begin inspires Amber to take Sofia to the library where she can help her cram her revision. The librarian, Mrs Higgins, gives them a couple that she considers the most helpful but Sofia finds the subjects intimidating. Amber suggests that Sofia focus on the essentials, which she considers to be gowns, fan-fluttering and curtsying.
As the princesses make their way to their test Mrs. Higgins is standing over a broken wheelbarrow and asks each of the princesses for assistance; Amber apologises that she can't be late for her test, Jun also apolosises but more laconically but Hildegarde doesn't even acknowledge that she's being addressed. As Sofia tries to drill into her head everything the other princesses advised, she's immediately distracted by Mrs. Higgins' request for help and goes over to check. Mrs. Higgins tells her that she needs some help to get a set of books back home since she can't use the wheelbarrow and Sofia, despite her misgivings over failing to attend her test, concedes to the request.
As the test begins Flora asks Hildegarde to step up, presenting her with a question about etiquette in Wei-lING. Hildegarde tries to recall the answer but is shocked when she can't.
As Sofia accompanies Mrs. Higgins she's stunned to find that the direct route's blocked by a fallen tree. Mrs. Higgins mentions there being a scenic route and suggests that Sofia could head back if she's got a test to take, but seeing an innocent beaming face Sofia decides to carry on. As they walk along Sofia notices that Mrs. Higgins is starting to exhibit some eccentric tendencies that could slow them down.
Back in the test the princesses have moved on to fan-fluttering, where Amber displays notable dexterity and Jun demonstrates a few moves with two fans, but Hildegarde's just opening and closing hers.
Mrs. Higgins has now led Sofia to an alternative crossing point along the stream, which involves stepping stones and a momentary imbalance causes Sofia to lose her fan. As she frets over the impact this could have on her test Mrs. Higgins suggests that she start heading back while attempting to lift all the books at once. Seeing her struggle with the weight Sofia resolves to keep going.
Hildegarde's lack of involvement in the test has reached the point where Amber confronts her over how her refusal to make an effort would guarantee a fail for her. Now Flora asks the princesses to demonstrate their ability to maintain posture, whereby Hildegarde finally gets top marks.
Mrs. Higgins has led Sofia within sight of her home by now, but a large patch of mud blocks their path. Considering the situation Sofia concludes that holding her dress up will keep it presentable for the test while still getting Mrs. Higgins back to her cottage. A slip causes the two of them to collide and leave mud all over their clothes. Though Sofia's distressed that this means she's effectively failed the test she takes solace that she's helped Mrs. Higgins back home.
At this point Mrs. Higgins tells her she can still make the test as she leads Sofia into the cottage, whereupon a magical mist strips the structure away and leaves Sofia standing right in the middle of the test site. A number of the princesses are surprised that Sofia's just about turned up out of nowhere and Amber's alarmed at the condition of her dress. Bewildered about what just happened Sofia then notices Mrs. Higgins coming along with a book trolley and takes the books of the other Mrs. Higgins. It turned out that Sofia wasn't helping Mrs. Higgins after all, it was Fauna disguised as Mrs. Higgins.
The fairies then reveal that the ultimate test of being a princess was being able to aid those in need no matter what privations they must face. Each princess has demonstrated acceptable qualities: Amber's dress being immaculate, Jun's fan-fluttering being world-class and Hildegarde's posture being flawless; Sofia on the other hand, demonstrated the most important part of a princess: kindness, for giving up the test to help a friend in need. Every one of them receives a silver star as a result, except for Sofia. Sofia being the only princess to help 'Mrs Higgins', and sticking with it all the way, receives a gold trophy in recognition for demonstrating every possible quality that matters in a princess.
Tropes in this episode include:
- An Aesop: You should always help someone in need, even if it means giving up something important to you. In addition, the most important role of a princess is kindness.
- Drama Queen: Hildegard spends most of the episode thinking she'll fail the test after forgetting the answer to the first question.
- "I Want" Song: Sofia has “I Belong”, in which she expresses her hopes at using her skills for the Princess Test, even though she might miss it because she has to help Mrs. Higgins.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Sofia helping Mrs. Higgins could result in her missing the Princess Test and failing as a result, and she know it...or, so she thinks.
- Rule of Three: Flora’s lessons during the Princess Test consist of etiquette, dexterity and posture, respectively.
- Secret Test of Character: Mrs. Higgins’ asking for help was actually Fauna testing the Princesses' character. Sofia is the only one who passes it.
