What Is the NAPLAN Test?

Are you familiar with the NAPLAN test? Although it was first used in the 1970s, many countries began national assessment only in the 1990s.

In 2008, Australia introduced the National Assessment Program: Literacy and Numeracy. This is an examination conducted every year measuring the Australian education system. Although it is not a pass-or-fail test, many students prepare for the assessment.

Are you wondering how the NAPLAN test works? Read on to learn more about Australia’s national assessment.

What Is the NAPLAN Test?

Developed by education authorities, the NAPLAN is an annual, nationwide examination conducted in Australia. This is a set of tests students take for three days. The focus of the exam is different for each day.

NAPLAN covers literacy domains, reading, writing, and language conventions. It includes numeracy to assess the arithmetic skills of the students. You might be wondering, why only literacy and numeracy?

A person uses literacy and numeracy skills in every aspect of life, like reading directions and counting the fare for transportation. These two aspects of the test are core to a proficient education.

Regardless of education or career path, a person needs these skills. It is not part or a replacement for the ongoing assessments conducted in class. Unlike other exams, students do not have to worry about passing or failing it.

Who Takes the Test?

The national assessment program states that public and private schools in Australia must hold a NAPLAN. However, only Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 students need to take the three-day exam. The Australian Curriculum, Assessment, and Reporting Authority (ACARA) runs the assessment.

How about students with disabilities? Together with the government, ACARA ensures a fair experience for all takers. They implemented adjustments to support students with different learning needs and functional abilities.

This includes magnification, keyboard accessibility, and rest time. Education professionals identified these adjustments based on the student’s learning plan. They ensure every student receives the same privilege and opportunities.

On the day, students often take the assessment in large classrooms or halls in year groups. Teachers and principals proctor students to ensure a successful NAPLAN test. In some cases, students can get their attention by asking questions about the exam.

What Is the Test Format and Structure?

The NAPLAN test covers multiple-choice, written responses, or technology-enhanced items. Participants have three days to complete the test. Each day will cover different subjects within the allotted time.

Day One

On the first day, students take language conventions in the first session. This assessment includes spelling, grammar, and other things in language. Often, the questions are multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blank.

For the second session, students complete their writing task. Education professionals expect a written response along with their response plans. The given time for Years 3 and 5 is 40 minutes, and 45 minutes for Years 7 and 9 for every session.

Day Two

The second assessment focuses on the reading domain of literacy. The comprehension style tests the student’s ability to read and interpret materials. For completion, students get a reading booklet containing different text types.

Years 3 and 5 have 45 to 50 minutes to finish the assessment, while Years 7 and 9 have 65 minutes.

Day Three

NAPLAN tests the students’ arithmetic skills as they focus on numeracy on the third day. It involves problem-solving questions with multiple-choice, short, or fill-in-the-blank answers.

Years 3 and 5 have 45 to 50 minutes. Years 7 and 9 have 40 minutes to complete the exam.

How to Prepare for NAPLAN Test

Although discouraged, many students prepare and review for the NAPLAN test. They cannot study for this assessment because the content changes every year.

People behind the assessment program often remind students not to worry about NAPLAN. The results of the exam do not affect the student’s class standing. The preparation is part of a regular class discussion.

Instead of studying, the student can improve. They can enhance their skills by joining courses focused on literacy or numeracy. If a student wants to assess their reading, writing, language, and arithmetic skills, they can try answering NotesEdu scholarship practice tests.

Many platforms offer courses and exams to help students prepare for anticipated exams. They can take a reading or language test if they find themselves lacking in these domains.

What Do Results Tell?

ACARA handles the release of NAPLAN test results. They often report to the National Assessment Program a few months after the exam. After receiving the results, the NAP disseminates them to every school in Australia.

Participants receive an Individual Student report with their achievements in every subject.

The detailed national report by ACARA includes comparisons for each state and territory. It shows a breakdown of student achievement belonging to different demographic groups.

The NAPLAN results compare student performance by gender, educational, and cultural background. Apart from individual remarks, it includes school performance trends and student growth. Education authorities can identify the strengths and weaknesses of students through their performance.

In addition, they can determine the areas to improve and how to achieve them.

What Do They Do With the Results?

After getting the results, what do education authorities do? From the government to schools, authorities use the NAPLAN to check if students achieve the set literacy and numeracy goals. It provides them with information about the effectiveness of the education program.

Through NAPLAN, authorities can determine how the program works and what to improve. They can improve school performance by implementing new strategies to enhance student skills. Schools can use the information as the basis to enhance the education program.

Moreover, NAPLAN gives students an insight into their educational standing. They can determine the areas to improve with the help of their teachers and their schools. With this, authorities can support students who need to reach their potential.

Everything to Know About the NAPLAN Test

Like other assessments, the NAPLAN test is vital in the Australian education system. It determines the program’s effectiveness in giving students critical literacy and numeracy.

Although excluded from the class standing, students take time to prepare for it. One can take exam preparation activities to boost confidence and performance. Check out our other blog posts for more informative content!