NAPLAN

National Assessment Program — Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN)

The National Assessment Program — Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual national assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The program tests the skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life, such as reading, writing, spelling, grammar, punctuation and numeracy. All eligible students are expected to participate.

NAPLAN tests are conducted at schools and are administered by classroom teachers, school deputies or the principal. Each state and territory is responsible for marking the tests in accordance with strict guidelines and processes.

They are just one aspect of schools’ assessment and reporting process and do not replace the extensive ongoing assessments that teachers conduct to measure each student’s performance.

NAPLAN results add value to teacher assessments by showing how their students’ achievements compare to a wider group of students across Australia. Teachers can use results to better identify students who require greater challenges or additional support. Schools can use results to identify strengths and weaknesses in teaching and learning programs and to set goals in literacy and numeracy.

Since 2008, NAPLAN has been a paper-based test. It is expected that the assessment will be soon be completed online using a computer or other electronic device, such as a tablet. The implementation is set to begin in 2016, with schools to transition on an opt-in basis over two or three years.

Test periods

• 2016: 10 to 12 May
• 2017: 9 to 11 May
• 2018: 15 to 17 May 

 For more information, visit the NAPLAN website.