The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9. NAPLAN assesses students’ abilities in writing, reading, spelling, grammar, punctuation and numeracy.

NAPLAN tests are administered in March each year in schools across Australia.

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) coordinates NAPLAN testing. The relevant state test administration authority (TAA) administers the tests. The Department for Education is the TAA for all schools in South Australia.

NAPLAN results

NAPLAN results are reported against 4 proficiency standards:

• exceeding
• strong
• developing
• needs additional support.

If a student’s results are in the strong or exceeding category, it means they've demonstrated proficiency. If a student’s results show they haven't achieved proficiency, they'll either be in the ‘developing category’ or the ‘needs additional support’ category.

Individual student reports (ISR)

Every student who takes part in NAPLAN testing will have an individual student report (ISR).

Parents and carers will get their child’s NAPLAN results through this report. Schools will distribute each student’s ISR during term 3.

Find more information about the individual student report on the National Assessment Program website, including:

• an ISR information brochure for parent and carers (PDF 461KB)
• a video on how to read the ISR
• ISR examples.

It’s important to remember that NAPLAN results reflect a specific point in time. They're designed to help identify areas for schools and teachers to focus on. They provide a great opportunity for parents and carers to also speak with teachers about how students can be supported to be their best.

Tailored testing

NAPLAN tests are tailored tests. This means students are presented with questions that are more or less difficult, based on how they're performing during the test.

Tailored testing means students are more likely to stay engaged as they get questions better suited to their ability.

Students at each year level start with a similar set of initial questions. The second set of questions may be more or less difficult, depending on the number of questions answered correctly in the initial set. The same approach applies to any further sets of questions.

A student’s NAPLAN result is based on both the number and difficulty of questions the student answers correctly.

Several testing programs within schools use a form of tailored testing. For example, the online Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT) in reading and mathematics use tailored testing.

You can read more about tailored tests on the National Assessment Program website.

Get familiar with NAPLAN – public demonstration site

Parents, carers and students can use the public demonstration site to become familiar with the format of NAPLAN Online.

During actual NAPLAN testing, the assessment platform uses a locked down browser (LDB) to ensure the security and integrity of the test. The LDB is not needed to access the public demonstration tests.

Students with disability

The National Assessment Platform provides adjustments for students with disability to support them in accessing NAPLAN tests. Adjustments include alternative audio and visual questions, colour themes and keyboard accessibility as examples.

The public demonstration site provides examples of alternative test items that will be used in NAPLAN for students with disability. Students with disability are encouraged to try the demonstration tests at their school on a device with the locked down browser (LDB) installed. This will check:

• if the assistive technology is compatible with the platform
• if any platform adjustments are needed to participate in NAPLAN.

Participation

All students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are expected to sit the NAPLAN tests unless they are:

• withdrawn by their parents or carers
• exempt based on specific criteria.

Home educated students

Home educated students can participate in NAPLAN testing by attending their enrolled school. Discuss testing arrangements with the Principal of your enrolled school before the NAPLAN test window (see NAPLAN key dates).

The department’s Home Education Unit distributes NAPLAN information to parents and carers of home education students in February.

Withdrawals

NAPLAN tests are a routine part of the school calendar. However, students may be withdrawn from the testing program by their parent or carer for reasons such as religious beliefs or philosophical objections to testing. This is a matter for consideration by individual parents or carers in consultation with their child’s school.

Contact your school to discuss any withdrawals, which will require the completion of a NAPLAN withdrawal form.

Exemptions

Exemptions may be granted for students:

• with a language background other than English
• with disability.

In both cases schools need to discuss the proposed exemption with the student's parent or carer and gain their permission before exemption.

For more information refer to student participation and withdrawals (ACARA).

ACARA parent and carer information

Find information for parents and carers on the National Assessment Program parent and carer support page.