How to interpret

Results for both NAPLAN and NAP sample assessments tests are measured in similar ways. There are 2 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 assessment results are measured against a proficiency scale for each domain. The proficiency scales are grouped into a number of different levels.

More information about the scales used for NAPLAN and NAP sample assessments can be found at Scales.

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 'challenging but reasonable' 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 at Standards.

NAPLAN

The national 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.