Information for schools

The NAPLAN test window is nine days.

For online NAPLAN 2025, day 1 of testing is Wednesday, 12 March and day 9 is Monday, 24 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 must be scheduled on day 1, with day 2 only used where there are technical or logistical limitations.
  • All classes may sit additional tests on Day 1, with a minimum of 20-minutes break between scheduled test sessions.
  • In the event of unexpected situations that prevent the writing test from taking place as scheduled, principals or NAPLAN coordinators should contact the NAPLAN Helpdesk on 9442 9442 or via email naplan@scsa.wa.edu.au to request a reschedule. Please note, previously scheduled school events will not be considered a valid reason for rescheduling NAPLAN testing, as dates are published well in advance to allow for adequate planning. .

2025 NAPLAN test timetable for online schools

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.

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 extends three days after the official test window, to Thursday, 27 March 2025.

Secure test materials include all versions of test papers, and any user login details, including login cards, student session codes and test session codes.

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, 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, and the variety and functionality of item types used in all test domains of NAPLAN.

The ACARA NAPLAN public demonstration site (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.

The 2025 NAPLAN alternative format (paper) tests are scheduled for Wednesday, 12 March, Thursday, 13 March and Friday, 14 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, 17 March, 2025.

2025 NAPLAN Paper test timetable

Wednesday

12 March

Thursday

13 March

Friday

14 March

Monday

17 March

Year 3

Conventions of language

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 the day, 17 March.

Year 5

Conventions of language

45 minutes

Writing

40 minutes

Reading

50 minutes

Numeracy

50 minutes

Year 7

Conventions of language

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

Conventions of language

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.

The test security period starts as soon as secure test materials are received by, or released to, a school and extends three days after the official test window, to Thursday, 27 March 2025.

Secure test materials include all versions of test papers, and any user login details, including login cards, student session codes and test session codes.

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

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

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, 28 February 2025
  • adjustments for injury or temporary disability: prior to sitting a test
  • special print alternative test paper formats (braille, large print, black and white masters for photocopying tests onto coloured paper): by Friday, 22 November 2024.

Applications for Withdrawal and Exemption can be made online at the following links:

Schools receive a reporting package containing:

  • Individual Student Reports
  • reporting information for parents and carers

Schools must verify Individual Student Reports match their enrolment data before distributing student reports to parents and carers.

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

Government schools

Government 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.

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 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/