The Tests
NAPLAN is not a test of content. Instead, it tests skills in literacy and numeracy that are developed over time through the school curriculum. Excessive test preparation using previous tests is not useful.
NAPLAN tests identify whether all students have the literacy and numeracy skills that provide the critical foundation for their learning, and for their productive and rewarding participation in the community. Students are assessed using common national tests in Reading, Writing, Language Conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and Numeracy.
NAPLAN tests broadly reflect aspects of literacy and numeracy common to the curriculum in each state or territory. The types of test formats and questions are chosen so that they are familiar to teachers and students across Australia.
ACARA provides example tests so that teachers and students can get a sense of the ‘look and feel’ of the tests and to understand what types of questions are asked. NAPLAN tests are not tests students can ‘prepare’ for and previous NAPLAN tests are not available on this website. Students should continue developing their literacy and numeracy skills through their school curriculum because the tests contain questions similar to those that are undertaken in regular classroom learning and assessment.
From 2013, practice questions will not be included in any of the Year 7 and 9 tests. Feedback indicates that practice questions for Year 7 and 9 students are unnecessary as these students are already very familiar with the types of questions used in the tests. Practice questions will continue to be included for Year 3 and 5 tests.
Year 3 example NAPLAN tests
Year 5 example NAPLAN tests
Year 7 example NAPLAN tests
Year 9 example NAPLAN tests