Understand what NAPLAN is, how it’s run, and how to best support your child through Australia’s national literacy and numeracy assessments.
Author
Robyn Oliver
Published
August 2025
Key Takeaways
Table of contents
NAPLAN, which stands for National Assessment Program in Literacy and Numeracy, is a series of assessments that students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 in both public and private schools across Australia participate in. All children in Australia have the opportunity to participate in NAPLAN assessments, including those from families who choose to homeschool or enroll in distance learning.
While it is highly recommended that children in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 participate, the assessments are not mandatory, and a child can be withdrawn from the assessments. It is important to note that it is a parent or carer’s responsibility to withdraw a child and not the responsibility of a school or teachers.
Many families worry about the pressure of assessments for children; this is a natural feeling and common amongst many families and children. Be assured that NAPLAN provides valuable information and insights to schools and families; the assessments are not a pass or fail exam, and it doesn’t define their abilities. What NAPLAN does do is highlight the areas where children need additional support, which is beneficial for both individual students and whole cohorts.
One of the first questions families ask is when is NAPLAN? NAPLAN takes place in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 primarily during term one of the school year in both public and private schools across Australia. Tests are delivered online, primarily through the use of computer tablets, except the Year 3 writing test, which remains a paper-based assessment. There is a nine-day period in which schools can schedule the NAPLAN assessments, but they must follow the following order:
The writing test is an opportunity for students to write either a narrative or a persuasive response to a writing prompt. The National Assessment Program does not disclose if the test will be focused on narrative writing or persuasive writing before testing takes place, so it’s important to have knowledge of both. The Year 3 writing test is handwritten on paper, and Years 5, 7, and 9 complete theirs online.
The reading, conventions of language, and numeracy tests are usually multiple-choice or drag-and-drop style questions. These questions can change depending on the students’ responses when answering the initial set of questions; this method is what NAPLAN calls tailored testing. All students will start with the same questions, “testlet A”; their answers to testlet A will determine which testlet is next delivered. This method of testing encourages higher levels of student engagement and less discouragement for students who may be feeling anxious about sitting the assessments.
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NAPLAN assesses four main areas: reading, writing, language conventions, and numeracy; the criteria for assessing the focus areas change depending on the Year level.
The Reading test is an assessment of comprehension. This means assessing how well a student understands what they are reading and whether they can identify the core message of a text. Assessing comprehension may also include asking who, what, where, and why questions to determine a level of understanding.
The writing test is an assessment of a student’s writing skills. Is the student using the correct spelling of common words? Can the student use punctuation appropriately, such as question marks?
A student’s ability to reflect on the question being asked and create a relevant narrative is also assessed in the writing test.
The conventions of language tests focus on the knowledge and use of Standard Australian English, an essential reading and writing skill. The test focuses largely on spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Assessors are also looking to see if students can differentiate between nouns, verbs, adjectives, pronouns, and adverbs within sentences.
The Numeracy test assesses a student’s mathematical skill against the substrands of the Australian maths curriculum, which includes: number and algebra, measurement and geometry, and statistics and probability.
The amount of time given to complete a NAPLAN test differs for each year level and each test. Students are expected to complete the task in the time given; this is to ensure a standardised assessment across all students in Australia. It is important to note that for students who need additional support, additional time can be requested. Students must be given a minimum break of 20 minutes if they are required to sit more than one test on the same day.
Here is a breakdown of the standardised times for each year level:
NAPLAN assesses four main areas: reading, writing, language conventions, and numeracy; the criteria for assessing the focus areas change depending on the year level.
NAPLAN assesses against a set of proficiency standards. There are four proficiency standards that all year groups and all subjects are marked against.
The goal for most students is to meet the “strong” proficiency standard.
Once the NAPLAN data is released, school leaders, such as principals and curriculum coordinators, assess the overall NAPLAN data to identify the school’s strengths and weaknesses. They can then use this information to plan and implement curriculum changes, determine additional staff training, and allocate necessary resources.
A common question amongst families as NAPLAN approaches is when do NAPLAN results come out? Each school is responsible for releasing NAPLAN reports to families. This means the dates could vary from school to school, but generally speaking, results are available by term three of the school year. The report you will receive will be a standardised document that provides an overview of feedback from your child’s assessments. Your child’s results will be assessed against the four proficiency levels:
The report will also include information regarding where your child sits in relation to the national average.
To prepare your child for NAPLAN, ACARA, which stands for the Australian Curriculum, Assessment, and Reporting Authority, does not recommend intensive studying in the lead up to NAPLAN and recommends focusing on a healthy routine, which allows children to digest and practice using the information they are learning. Using a maths app such as Doodle Maths, which is a curriculum alignment app designed by teachers, can offer children the chance to practice their numeracy skills, personalising the content to the child and identifying their weaker areas! Using a maths app little and often will help to build a child’s confidence and consolidate learning more effectively, rather than trying to intensively study in the week before the assessment itself.
Regularly check in with your child in the lead up to NAPLAN, listen to their concerns and validate their feelings, “I understand why you would be feeling worried”. Validating their feelings will encourage your child’s emotional regulation, empowering them when they take on new challenges, and developing their resilience. Other ways to encourage a healthy routine before NAPLAN are to encourage your child to have a balanced diet, drink lots of water, and get plenty of rest in the lead-up.
Once the assessments are finished, allow your child the chance to switch off. Using all that brain power is exhausting; giving them a few nights off homework and revision is a great way to let them recharge and recover.
To effectively help your child prepare for NAPLAN, remember to integrate revision into a healthy routine. You can explore numeracy and literacy in your everyday experiences without even realising it. Encourage your child to interact with household responsibilities, such as writing a shopping list, taking it to the shops, and using money to pay for the groceries. Balance everyday learning with setting aside small periods to focus on revision. You can download resources and practice tests from the NAPLAN website or explore the content available on the Doodle Maths app. Ultimately, the most effective way to prepare your child for any assessment is to build their confidence through frequent and positive exposure to learning.
Lesson credits
Robyn Oliver
Robyn is a teacher, educational content creator, and mum to three. After completing a Bachelor of Childhood Studies and a Postgraduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education, she moved to Perth, WA, and has spent her career working in a range of early childhood services and schools. These days, she mixes relief teaching in local schools with creating practical, engaging resources and mentoring early childhood services. Her work is driven by a genuine passion for supporting children to grow and learn, and helping educators feel confident and inspired in what they do.
Robyn Oliver
Robyn is a teacher, educational content creator, and mum to three. After completing a Bachelor of Childhood Studies and a Postgraduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education, she moved to Perth, WA, and has spent her career working in a range of early childhood services and schools. These days, she mixes relief teaching in local schools with creating practical, engaging resources and mentoring early childhood services. Her work is driven by a genuine passion for supporting children to grow and learn, and helping educators feel confident and inspired in what they do.
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