NAPLAN is not a pass or fail type of test. Individual student performance is shown on a national assessment scale for each test. Each test scale has 10 bands and all year levels are reported on the same scale. Six bands are reported for each year level for each test. The single scale allows students, teachers and parents to monitor progress across the years and compare results to those in previous years as students advance through school.
The second lowest band at each year level represents the national minimum standard for students for that year level. A result at the national minimum standard indicates that the student demonstrated the basic literacy and numeracy skills needed to participate fully in that year level. The performance of individual students can be compared to the average performance of all students in Australia.
While the scale for each domain appears to be similar, the results cannot be directly compared across domains. For example, a score of 650 on a reading test denotes a different achievement than a score of 650 on a numeracy test.
For detailed information on the assessment scale used for NAPLAN reporting, see How to interpret.