NAPLAN
NAPLAN, an assessment of literacy and numeracy, is undertaken annually by all Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students throughout Australia. NAPLAN was first administered in 2008 as a paper test program.
In 2018, transition to the NAPLAN online assessment program commenced. The NAPLAN online tests use a tailored test design, where students answer an initial set of questions and are then directed to subsequent sets of questions, either more challenging or less challenging, based on the accuracy of their previous responses. The use of the computer-based environment enables a wider range of question types, encourages broader levels of engagement, and produces results that more accurately reflect students’ skills and knowledge, as measured in the assessments.
Since 2022, all schools have participated in the online NAPLAN assessments, except for a very small number of schools delivering an Authority-approved alternative curriculum. These schools will continue with alternative format (paper) testing.
Detailed information about the online NAPLAN assessment, including a public demonstration site, is available on the ACARA National Assessment Program website at https://www.nap.edu.au/home.
Detailed technical information about online NAPLAN is available on the Online National Assessment Platform website at https://www.assessform.edu.au/.
NAPLAN is made up of two assessment areas.
LiteracyThe literacy assessment comprises three tests:
ReadingThe reading tests are designed to assess a wide range of abilities.
For the online test, students read a range of text types on a computer or device and answer questions about the texts on screen in a variety of online item formats.
For the alternative format (paper) test, students are provided with a colour magazine containing a range of text types. They are required to read each text then complete multiple-choice and short-answer questions in their test booklets.
No part of the reading assessment should be read to the students. Teachers must not read either the reading texts or questions to the students nor should they reword or explain questions. If students seek assistance, teachers may encourage them to read aloud any question or part of the text.
For further information about the reading tests, go to:
Online test public demonstration site
Paper test example questionsAll students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are required to complete a writing task, using a prompt or stimulus topic. The genre of the task is not disclosed prior to the test period. The writing test requires students to respond to either a persuasive or narrative writing prompt.
All Year 3 students complete their writing tests by handwriting into a test booklet. All Years 5, 7 and 9 students, except those at schools delivering Authority-approved alternative curricula, type their writing tests online.
Criterion-referenced marking rubrics are used to assess students’ writing. The same rubrics are applied to all responses, both handwritten and typed. This enables comparisons to be made across year groups and topics, and growth to be measured.
All Western Australian writing responses are marked in WA by specially-trained teachers recruited by the Authority. Suitably qualified applicants can apply for NAPLAN marking at NAPLAN writing marking
More information about the NAPLAN writing assessment, including the persuasive and narrative writing marking criteria and guides, and examples of prompts, are here:
The NAPLAN writing tasks
The Conventions of language test comprises spelling, and grammar and punctuation.
For the online test, students spell words in an audio dictation task, identify and correct spelling errors in a proofreading task, and answer grammar and punctuation questions in a range of online item formats.
For the alternative format (paper) test, students identify and correct spelling errors in a proofreading task, and answer multiple-choice grammar and punctuation questions in their test booklets.
For further information about the spelling, and grammar and punctuation tests, go to:
The numeracy assessment area includes:
- Number and Algebra
- Measurement and Geometry
- Statistics and Probability.
For the online test, students in Years 3 and 5 do not use a calculator. The test for students in Years 7 and 9 has two sections. In the first section, calculators are not allowed. In the second section, students can access an online calculator, ruler and protractor. Students in all year groups can turn on an audio player to hear the questions read aloud, if they wish.
For the alternative format (paper) test, Years 3 and 5 students will complete only one test and will not use a calculator. Years 7 and 9 students will complete two tests and will require a calculator for one of the tests. Students will be permitted to bring into the test the calculator that they currently use at school or with which they are most familiar.
For further information about the numeracy tests, go to:
The online NAPLAN test window is nine days. The extended test window allows schools to take account of the availability of devices in the school when scheduling tests.
For online NAPLAN 2024, day 1 of testing is Wednesday, 13 March and day 9 is Monday, 25 March.
The four tests must be scheduled in the sequence prescribed by the National protocols for test administration, with the writing test prioritised. The sequence is:
Writing > Reading > Conventions of language > Numeracy
For the writing test,
- It is recommended Year 3 writing tests be completed by all classes at the same time in the morning of Day 1.
- Years 5, 7 and 9 writing tests must be scheduled across Day 1, taking into account students’ access to a device.
- Extension of the Years 5, 7 and 9 writing test into Day 2 is possible where there are technical and/or logistical limitations.
- All classes may sit additional tests on Day 1, as long as there is at least a 20-minute rest break provided for students between each test.
- If adherence to the writing test schedule is not possible, for any reason, principals or NAPLAN coordinators must contact the NAPLAN helpdesk on 9442 9442 or email naplan@scsa.wa.edu.au for permission to re-schedule the writing test.
2024 online NAPLAN test timetable
Test | Scheduling requirements | Duration |
|---|---|---|
Writing | Year 3 students must do a paper-based writing test on day 1 only
Years 5, 7 and 9 students must commence the writing test on day 1. Permission to extend the writing test beyond day 2 must be sought from the TAA. | Year 3: 40 minutes |
Reading | To be completed after the writing test | Year 3: 45 minutes |
Conventions of language | To be completed after the reading test | Year 3: 45 minutes |
Numeracy | To be completed after the conventions of language test | Year 3: 45 minutes |
Catch-up tests | Principals are encouraged to facilitate all students’ participation in the tests by holding catch-up sessions for those who were identified as absent on the day they were scheduled to do the test and who return to school within the school’s planned test schedule. Under no circumstances may individual students with planned absences be permitted to take the tests before their classes’ scheduled test sessions for any given test. | |
Test security period
Tests must not be conducted prior to the published test dates under any circumstances.
The test security period is the period during which NAPLAN tests remain secure.
For both online and alternative format (paper) tests, the test security period starts as soon as secure test materials are received by, or released to, a school and runs for three days following the official test window, until Thursday, 28 March 2024.
Secure test materials include all versions of test papers, and any user login details, including login cards, student session codes and test session codes.
The 2024 NAPLAN alternative format (paper) tests are scheduled for the mornings of Wednesday, 13 March, Thursday, 14 March and Friday, 15 March.
Schools with approved alternative curriculums are expected to complete the tests on these days, following the timetable below.
Catch-up sessions may be conducted during the testing week at any time following the scheduled assessment time.
Students are not permitted to sit the alternative format (paper) tests after Monday, 18 March, 2024.
2024 NAPLAN paper test timetable
Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Monday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Year 3 | Language conventions Writing | Reading | Numeracy | Catch-up tests for individual students who were absent can be offered any time after the scheduled test, up until the end of 18 March. |
Year 5 | Language conventions Writing | Reading | Numeracy | |
Year 7 | Language conventions Writing | Reading | Numeracy Part A: Part B: | |
Year 9 | Language conventions Writing | Reading | Numeracy Part A: Part B: |
Test security period
Tests must not be conducted prior to the published test dates under any circumstances.
The test security period is the period during which NAPLAN tests remain secure.
For both online and alternative format (paper) tests, the test security period starts as soon as secure test materials are received by, or released to, a school and runs for three days following the official test window, until Thursday, 28 March 2024.
Secure test materials include all versions of test papers, and any user log-in details, including login cards, student session codes and test session codes.
- 2024 NAPLAN handbook for principals and coordinators - alternative format (paper)
- 2024 NAPLAN Parent information brochure - alternative format (paper)
- 2024 Years 3 & 5 NAPLAN Test administration handbook for teachers – alternative format (paper)
- 2024 Years 7 & 9 NAPLAN Test administration handbook for teachers – alternative format (paper)
Please contact naplan@scsa.wa.edu.au if you wish to apply for:
- adjustments for disability that require Test Administration Authority (TAA) approval: before Friday, 1 March 2024
- adjustments for injury or temporary disability: prior to sitting a test
- alternative test paper formats (Braille, Large print, black and white masters for photocopying tests onto coloured paper): by Friday, 24 November 2023.
Applications for Withdrawal, Exemption and Home Education Registrations can be made online at the following links:
- NAPLAN 2024 Withdrawal application https://webforms.scsa.wa.edu.au/Forms/Withdrawal-Application/ before Wednesday, 6 March 2024.
- NAPLAN 2024 Exemption application https://webforms.scsa.wa.edu.au/Forms/Exemption-Application/ before Friday, 1 March 2024.
- NAPLAN 2024 Home Education Registration https://webforms.scsa.wa.edu.au/Forms/Home-Educated-Student-Registration/ before Thursday, 8 February 2024.
NAPLAN improvements in place from 2023
Why has NAPLAN changed from May testing to March testing?
On 16 March 2022, Australian Education Ministers announced changes to NAPLAN from 2023. Primarily, this meant moving forward the administration of NAPLAN from Term 2 to Term 1, meaning schools and parents could receive results earlier in the year.
After close consultation with education jurisdictions, the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) presented to Ministers the recommendation for the best approach for moving NAPLAN forward.
ACARA was tasked with providing support and developing information resources to assist Test Administration Authorities and schools with the scheduling change.
In Western Australia, the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) is the Test Administration Authority. The Authority works closely with school systems and sectors and consults with stakeholders about all aspects of NAPLAN in order to provide the best support to schools.
What are the dates for NAPLAN?
In 2023, NAPLAN was held from Wednesday, 15 March to Monday, 27 March. The testing window for the 2024 NAPLAN tests is Wednesday, 13 March to Monday, 25 March. The dates for 2025 to 2027 are available on the NAPLAN website https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan.
Swimming lessons, school camps and school sports carnivals always take place in Term 1. Will they be affected?
Schools will need to work with providers to schedule these activities around the test times.
Apart from the new dates, how else will NAPLAN change?
The full transition to online testing and the earlier administration of NAPLAN are significant changes to NAPLAN. It was therefore decided to introduce changes in 2023 to the way NAPLAN results were reported. These changes are:
- New scales were introduced for all test domains in 2023.
- As a result of the new scales, new time series in all domains for future longitudinal comparisons have been introduced, with the 2023 testing year providing base-line data.
- Proficiency standards to report student results, replacing the previous NAPLAN bands.
As a consequence of these changes, results from previous years are not comparable to results from 2023 and beyond.
These changes will be clearly communicated to schools by ACARA and The Authority in supporting documents at the time of reporting.
When will results arrive in schools?
Schools receive Student and School Summary Reports (SSSRs) for all tests in June each testing year.
Hard copy Individual Student Reports (ISRs) will be posted to schools for arrival after the SSSRs are released.
School systems and sectors will provide fully analysed results via their own reporting software.
When will parents and carers receive their child’s results?
Parents and carers will receive their child’s report after they have been distributed to schools. Schools will provide the reports, accompanied by an information brochure, to parents and carers.
As NAPLAN now occurs earlier in the year, won’t this affect student achievement?
The March scheduling of tests means that students have had less teaching time prior to the tests than occurred when the tests were in May.
Students are not disadvantaged by the earlier test dates. Questions in NAPLAN are based mostly on the literacy and numeracy knowledge and skills students have learnt in previous years of schooling. A few questions assess content from the year level of testing and the following year – these questions have been designed so that they can be answered using strategies students have learnt in previous years.
The introduction of new scales necessitates the commencement of a new time series. Consequently, national, state and school results will not be comparable with previous years’ results, and any expected decline in performance due to the earlier delivery of NAPLAN will not be measurable.
When should schools schedule NAPLAN familiarisation activities?
National testing protocols require that students are familiar with the functionality of the NAPLAN platform and the range of test items they will encounter. Schools are best placed to decide when this will take place. The NAPLAN Online public demonstration site, which can be used for these activities, is available all year round. ACARA will also provide an Online Training environment that will be available to schools in the weeks prior to the testing dates.
Will there be a Coordinated Practice Test?
No. There will be no Coordinated Practice Test. Schools will use the Online Training environment to conduct practice tests. This will be available to schools in the weeks prior to the testing dates.
How will schools ensure they have trained staff to conduct NAPLAN activities when there are usually a lot of staff changes at the beginning of the year?
The Authority will ensure online assessment training materials are available for staff from the start of Term 1.
Will schools have to upload student registrations in SIRS earlier in the year?
No. Schools are already aware of the process for student registrations and prioritising that for NAPLAN year levels, which will not change. As long as schools meet the scheduled timelines, there should be no impact.
Will there be any staffing support for schools to accommodate the changes?
This is a question for school systems and sectors. Enquiries should be directed to the relevant system/sector.
What about the OLNA? Won’t the timelines clash?
The OLNA test window dates have been adjusted to take account of the earlier NAPLAN testing.
The OLNA Testing window dates are available at https://k10outline.scsa.wa.edu.au/home/assessment/testing/olna
How are the NAP Sample tests for Years 6 and 10 managed?
ACARA has worked with education jurisdictions to finalise the dates and details. NAP Sample main studies are now held in May and field trials over October–November. Further information about NAP Sample testing is available at https://www.nap.edu.au/nap-sample-assessments
What are the NAP Sample opt-in tests and how can schools participate?
Opt-in tests will not commence until 2024. More information will be available closer to the time.
School Curriculum and Standards Authority contact:
Helpdesk phone: 9442 9442