Information for schools

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
Year 5: 42 minutes
Year 7: 42 minutes
Year 9: 42 minutes

Reading

To be completed after the writing test

Year 3: 45 minutes
Year 5: 50 minutes
Year 7: 65 minutes
Year 9: 65 minutes

Conventions of language

To be completed after the reading test

Year 3: 45 minutes
Year 5: 45 minutes
Year 7: 45 minutes
Year 9: 45 minutes

Numeracy

To be completed after the conventions of language test

Year 3: 45 minutes
Year 5: 50 minutes
Year 7: 65 minutes
Year 9: 65 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.

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:

This handbook is an important document. It contains sections of the National Protocols for Test Administration relevant to schools, including the Code of Conduct, and operational guidelines and instructions. All principals and NAPLAN coordinators are expected to be familiar with the Handbook’s content to ensure fairness of testing across Australia. Breaches of the National Protocols are taken seriously.

The Writing marking guides are provided here to assist schools to interpret students’ results. They are not intended to be used to mark students’ writing without thorough training on how to apply the rubric.

In accordance with the National protocols for test administration – NAPLAN Online, published as Part A of the Handbook for principals and NAPLAN coordinators, it is essential that all students are familiar with the national assessment platform, the device they will be using when sitting NAPLAN Online, and the variety and functionality of item types used in all test domains of NAPLAN Online.

The ACARA NAPLAN Online public demonstration site (https://nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site) is available for this purpose and allows staff, students, and parents and carers to view and interact with test items.

When preparing their class for the online tests, teachers should ensure that students are familiar with the assessments’ platform-specific functionalities.

Students need to know:

  • how to select their answer for each item type, and how to change it to another answer if necessary
  • how to find and manipulate the numeracy test tools
  • how to operate the audio bar in the spelling, numeracy and writing tests
  • what functions are available in the formatting bar in the writing test response pane and how to use them.

Schools receive a reporting package containing:

  • individual student reports
  • Reporting information brochure for parents and carers
  • Administrators guide to reporting booklet
  • access details to student writing scripts and pdfs of individual student reports

Catholic schools

Catholic schools’ results will be available in the Learning Insights (LI) app on Powerbi.com. Help on accessing the app can be obtained from schools' IT support desks or the CEWA support desk, and further information on reporting by contacting naplantesting@cewa.edu.au

Independent schools

AISWA schools’ NAPLAN results will be available via Valuate, accessed through a secure website. Unique usernames and passwords have been supplied to each school. Further information can be obtained by contacting AISWA on 9441 1600.

Public schools

Public schools’ NAPLAN results will be available through the Student Achievement Information System (SAIS) via the Department’s portal. Further information is available by contacting the School Performance Branch on 9264 4966.

Schools should reconcile individual student results with school information before distributing student reports to parents.

Each year documents are produced which provide insights into the performance of Western Australian students in NAPLAN. These publications, Insights into Student Performance, provide valuable information for teachers to inform their programs. They include the following information:

  • sample test questions
  • skills and understandings assessed
  • percentage of students selecting each multiple-choice option
  • common errors
  • possible misconceptions
  • comparisons of Western Australian student performance to all Australian students.

Insights into Student Performance documents available for download through the appropriate system/sector's secure website.

Public reports on NAPLAN, the NAP sample assessments and other sample assessments that Australia has participated in are available here:

National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN)

https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/results-and-reports

National Assessment Program – sample assessments (NAP sample assessments)

NAPSL (Science Literacy) results for Year 6 students

NAPCC (Civics and Citizenship) results for Years 6 and 10 students

NAP ICT Literacy results for Years 6 and 10 students

https://www.nap.edu.au/nap-sample-assessments/results-and-reports

Program of International Student Assessment (PISA)

PISA results in Science, Mathematics and Reading for 15 year olds http://www.acer.edu.au/ozpisa

TIMSS and PIRLS

TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) results for Years 4 and 8 students and PIRLS (Progress in International Reading Literacy Study) results for Year 4 students
http://timss.bc.edu/

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

13 March

Thursday

14 March

Friday

15 March

Monday

18 March

Year 3

Language conventions

45 minutes

Writing

40 minutes

Reading

45 minutes

Numeracy

45 minutes

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

45 minutes

Writing

40 minutes

Reading

50 minutes

Numeracy

50 minutes

Year 7

Language conventions

45 minutes

Writing

40 minutes

Reading

65 minutes

Numeracy

65 minutes

Part A:

Calculator Allowed

55 minutes

Part B:

Non-calculator

10 minutes

Year 9

Language conventions

45 minutes

Writing

40 minutes

Reading

65 minutes

Numeracy

65 minutes

Part A:

Calculator Allowed

55 minutes

Part B:

Non-calculator

10 minutes

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.

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:

This handbook is an important document. It contains sections of the National Protocols for Test Administration relevant to schools, including the Code of Conduct, and operational guidelines and instructions. All principals and NAPLAN coordinators are expected to be familiar with the Handbook’s content to ensure fairness of testing across Australia. Breaches of the National Protocols are taken seriously.

The Writing marking guides are provided here to assist schools to interpret students'’' results. They are not intended to be used to mark students' writing without thorough training on how to apply the rubric.

NOTE: these documents can also be found at https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/writing

Some past NAPLAN test papers and marking guides are available online for teachers. These can be accessed through your system/sector's secure website. Schools usually keep sets of hard copies of NAPLAN tests on file for reference.

Please refer to the NAP website on copyright for further information regarding the use of the NAPLAN test materials.

Example test papers for all domains are available on the NAP website.

Example test papers for all domains are available on the NAP website