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How to interpret

Results for both NAPLAN and NAP Sample Assessments tests are measured in similar ways.  There are two important elements to how these results are reported:  the scale and the performance standard that are used.

Scales

NAPLAN results are measured at a student level against an assessment scale in each of the areas tested.  The scales span all the year levels from Year 3 to Year 9, and are divided into 10 bands.  Not all bands are reported for each year level.

NAP Sample results are measured against a proficiency scale for each domain.  The proficiency scales are grouped into a number of different levels.

  • View a video (1 min 45 s) that provides an overview of the NAPLAN common assessment scale.

More information about the scales used for NAPLAN and NAP Sample Assessments can be found using the links on the left hand side.

Standards

For NAPLAN results, a ‘National Minimum Standard’ is defined and located on the assessment scale for each year level. Band 2 is the minimum standard for Year 3, Band 4 is the minimum standard for Year 5, Band 5 is the minimum standard for Year 7 and Band 6 is the minimum standard for Year 9. These standards represent increasingly challenging skills and require increasingly higher scores on the NAPLAN scale.

For NAP Sample Assessments, ‘Proficient Standards’ represent a reasonably challenging level of performance where students need to demonstrate more than the minimal skills expected at that year level.

More information about the performance standards defined for NAPLAN and NAP Sample Assessments can be found using the links on the left hand side.

NAPLAN

The minimum standards and common scales for NAPLAN results across all year levels are illustrated in the picture below:

 A chart depicting the common scale and showing the standards and applicable bands for each year level tested. The chart shows that for Year 3, students who score at Band 1 are below the national minimum standard. Students at Band 2 are at the national minimum standard and students from Bands 3 to 6 are above the national minimum standard. For Year 5, students who score at Band 3 are below the national minimum standard. Students at Band 4 are at the national minimum standard and students from Bands 5 to 8 are above the national minimum standard. For Year 7, students who score at Band 4 are below the national minimum standard. Students at Band 5 are at the national minimum standard and students from Bands 6 to 9 are above the national minimum standard. For Year 9, students who score at Band 4 are below the national minimum standard. Students at Band 6 are at the national minimum standard and students from Bands 7 to 10 are above the national minimum standard.

 The following video presentation provides further information about how to interpret NAP results:

  • View a video (5 min 39 s) that explains how NAPLAN results are reported, including the individual Student Report.