NAPLAN
National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN)
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ExploreAbout this exam
NAPLAN - the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy - is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9, run nationwide across Australia. It gives parents and carers, teachers, schools, education authorities, governments and the wider community a measure of whether young Australians are developing the literacy and numeracy skills that underpin other learning and community participation. Results let families and educators see progress over time - individually, within a school community, and against national standards - and help systems identify where support and improvement are needed. NAPLAN is one part of each school's assessment and reporting process and does not replace teachers' ongoing assessment; results do not measure overall school quality. The assessment covers four domains: writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation), and numeracy. NAPLAN has moved to an online assessment, using tailored (adaptive) tests, and a public demonstration site lets students and families see the types of questions and check whether accessibility adjustments may be needed. From 2023 the assessment has been held in March, and results are reported using proficiency standards on a reset measurement scale, so results from 2023 onward cannot be directly compared with 2008–2022. The best preparation is teaching and learning the curriculum; students should simply do their best on the day.
What you'll study
About NAPLAN preparation
Who sits NAPLAN and when?
Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit NAPLAN every year. From 2023, education ministers agreed NAPLAN is held in March; previously, from 2008 to 2022, it was held in May. For 2026 the test window is 11–23 March, with school practice tests available from Term 4, 2025.
What does the test cover?
NAPLAN is made up of assessments in four areas, or domains: writing; reading; conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation); and numeracy. These are the fundamental literacy and numeracy skills every child needs to become a successful learner in school and beyond.
Is NAPLAN paper or online?
NAPLAN has moved to an online assessment, delivered through tailored (adaptive) tests. A public demonstration site lets you see and try the types of questions in a NAPLAN test and consider whether any additional accessibility requirements are needed before test day.
Do you pass or fail NAPLAN?
NAPLAN is not about passing or failing; it assesses learning progress. Results show how a student is progressing in literacy and numeracy over time and against national standards. Children can be reassured it is just one part of their school program, and they should simply do the best they can on the day.
Can a student retake NAPLAN?
The source material does not describe a retake or re-sit process for NAPLAN. It is an annual assessment undertaken nationwide every year, so students are assessed again at the next scheduled test window. Check with your school about participation and any adjustments if a test is missed.
How are results reported?
A student's raw score (the number of questions answered correctly) is placed on a measurement scale so different students can be compared, with score equivalence tables converting raw scores to NAPLAN scale scores. From 2023, results are reported using proficiency standards on a reset scale, so results from 2023 on cannot be directly compared with 2008–2022.
How should students prepare?
The best preparation for NAPLAN is teaching and learning the curriculum. Students can also use the public demonstration site to see the types of questions, and past test papers and answers are available on the ACARA website. NAPLAN does not replace teachers' ongoing assessments, and each teacher has the best insight into a student's progress.
What are common mistakes families make?
Treating NAPLAN as a pass/fail exam, or as a verdict on school quality - results do not measure overall school quality. Another error is comparing 2023-onward results directly with 2008–2022 results, which is not valid because of the reset scale and new proficiency standards.
Where can I find practice questions and past papers?
Visit the NAPLAN public demonstration site to see and try the types of questions used in a NAPLAN test. Past NAPLAN test papers and answers, covering 2008 to 2016, are published on the ACARA website. Note that ACARA does not provide access to NAPLAN tests after 2016.