NAP Sample Assessments

The NAP Sample Assessments test students’ skills and understanding in Science Literacy, Civics and Citizenship and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Literacy. Only selected groups of students in Years 6 and 10 participate in these sample assessments (Year 6 only for Science Literacy), which are held on a rolling three-yearly basis. NAP Sample Assessments began in 2003 with Science Literacy (NAP — SL), followed by Civics and Citizenship (NAP — CC) in 2004 and Information and Communication Technology Literacy (NAP — ICTL) in 2005.

Primary and secondary schools participating in the NAP Sample Assessments benefit in a number of ways. Their students have the opportunity to engage with state-of-the-art assessment materials, some of which are delivered online. This is an excellent learning opportunity for students.

New: The 2010 National Assessment Program—Civics and Citizenship (NAP—CC) Public Report has now been released. The 2010 NAP—CC Public Report presents a national comparison of Year 6 and Year 10 student performance against the assessment framework for NAP—CC, as well as results broken down in a range of ways including by gender, cultural background and geographical location.

International assessments

There are also NAP Sample Assessments conducted by international organisations on behalf of MCEECDYA. These include:

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) which is conducted every three years by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This is administered to samples of 15-year-old school students.
The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) which is conducted every four years by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). This tests a sample of students in Years 4 and 8 from each participating country.
The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) is conducted every five years by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). This test is administered to a sample of students in their fourth year of schooling from each participating country. Australia was involved for the first time in the study in 2011.

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) is the independent authority responsible for the overall management of the National Assessment Program, including the NAP Sample Assessments, however ACARA does not oversee the delivery of these international assessments (ie PISA, TIMSS and PIRLS). For more information on these assessments please click on the above links.