NAPLAN Overview – Australian Edu

NAPLAN Practice Tests

NAPLAN Preparation —

Years 3, 5, 7 & 9

Australia's national literacy and numeracy assessment — practise with realistic mock exams covering all four domains

Aligned to NAPLAN Curriculum

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4

SECTIONS

109+

QUESTIONS

165 min

TOTAL TIME

Online

DELIVERY MODE

Yes (Maths)

CALCULATOR

Instant

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

4 Sections. 165 Minutes.
One Chance.

Here's exactly what your child will face — broken down by subject, question count, time limit, and format.

01

36–40

45 min

Reading

Comprehension across multiple text types including informative, persuasive, narrative, and visual/multi-modal texts. Adaptive difficulty adjusts based on responses.

02

1 task

40 min

Writing

One extended writing task — either narrative or persuasive. Year 3 Writing may still be completed on paper. Marked against national criteria for structure, ideas, and language.

03

36 35 min

Conventions of Language

Spelling (approx. 16 questions), Grammar & Punctuation (approx. 20 questions). Tests understanding of English language conventions in context.

04

36 45 min

Numeracy

Number & algebra, measurement & geometry, statistics & probability. Years 7 & 9 include separate calculator and non-calculator sections.

The test structure for NAPLAN is as below: at a Glance

Test Domain	Year 3	Year 5	Year 7	Year 9
Writing	40 mins (on paper)	42 mins	42 mins	42 mins
Reading	45 mins	50 mins	65 mins	65 mins
Convention of Language	45 mins	45 mins	45 mins	45 mins
Numeracy	45 mins	50 mins	65 mins	65 mins

What Each Domain Tests

Language Convention

🕒 Year 3 and Year 5 for 40 minutes

🕒 Year 7 and Year 9 for 45 minutes

Grammar, spelling, and punctuation are all covered on this test in context. Students will need to meet basic levels in Australian English for the multiple-choice or short response questions.

Writing

🕒 Year 3 and Year 5 for 40 minutes

🕒 Years 7 and 9 for 40 minutes

Students are instructed to write a response in one of three text types — narrative, persuasive, or imaginative — in response to a stimulus or prompt — typically the opening few sentences of a tale or idea. Writing assessments and grammar lessons are scheduled on the same day.

Numeracy

🕒 Year 3 and Year 5 for 45 to 50 minutes

🕒 Year 7 and Year 9 for 120 minutes

🕒 (40 with a calculator and 40 without)

Covers number & algebra, measurement & geometry, statistics & probability. Years 7 and 9 have separate calculator and non-calculator sections, testing both computational fluency and mental arithmetic.

Reading

🕒 Year 3 and Year 5 for 45 to 50 minutes

🕒 Year 7 and Year 9 for 65 minutes

Short texts are provided to students in a reading booklet. They will next be put to the test with multiple choice and short answer questions to see how well they understand and comprehend linguistic conventions in context.

Overview

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is Australia's annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.
It is a nationwide measure through which parents, teachers, schools, education authorities and governments can determine whether young Australians are developing the literacy and numeracy skills that provide the critical foundation for other learning.
NAPLAN is now fully online (adaptive) and held in March each year.
Results allow parents and educators to track student progress individually, as part of their school community, and against national standards.

Who Is This For?

All Australian students in Years 3, 5, 7 or 9.
NAPLAN is undertaken nationwide every year and provides benchmark data on reading, writing, language conventions, and numeracy.

Key Details

Administered by

ACARA (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority)

When

March each year (from 2023 onwards)

Year Levels

Years 3, 5, 7 & 9

Format

Online adaptive testing (Year 3 Writing may be on paper)

Domains

4 — Reading, Writing, Conventions of Language, Numeracy

Purpose

National benchmark for literacy & numeracy progress

Application & Exam Process

Follow each step to stay on track and maximise your child's chances of success.

🕒 Term 1 (Feb)

Check Test Dates

NAPLAN is held in March each year.
Confirm the exact dates with your child's school.

Step 1

🕒 2–3 Months Prior

Start Preparation

Begin with domain-specific mock exams to identify strengths and gaps across Reading, Writing, Language Conventions, and Numeracy.

Step 2

🕒 1 Month Prior

Intensive Practice

Complete full-length mock exams under timed conditions.
Focus on weaker domains identified through analytics.

Step 3

🕒 March

NAPLAN Test Window

Students sit NAPLAN over multiple days.
Tests are online and adaptive, adjusting difficulty based on responses.

Step 4

🕒 Mid-Year

Receive Results

Individual Student Reports are released to schools and parents, showing performance against national benchmarks.

Step 5

Mock Exam Packs

Each pack includes full mock exams, detailed answer keys, and performance insights. More packs = better preparation & bigger savings.

NAPLAN Year 3 Full Mock Packs

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

Not happy? Contact us within 7 days for a full refund. No questions asked. All packs include 12 months of unlimited access.

Everything your child needs
to succeed

Prepare with real exam-style questions written by teachers

Identical to Real Exams

Our mocks replicate the exact structure, question types, and timing so your child knows exactly what to expect.

Pinpoint Weaknesses

See a clear breakdown by section and skill area after each test — know exactly where to focus revision.

Built by Educators

Content designed by experienced Australian educators and markers who understand the marking criteria.

Unlimited practice attempts

Works on any device

Results emailed to parents

Teacher approved content

Zara Khan's Test Report

Here is a detailed report on your child's progress

Language Conventions

Attempts 6

Best Result 85%

Average Result 67%

Lowest Result 41%

National Average 69%

Results summary

Clear summaries show overall performance, strengths, and areas for improvement at a glance.

Student Dashboard

Writing Numeracy Reading Grammar

AprMayJunJul

Progress tracking

Visual tracking shows how your child's skills develop over time across subjects and tests.

Liam Thompson's Test Report

Here is a detailed report on your child's progress

Language Conventions

Average Result

Highest Result

National Average 69%

National comparison

Compare your child's results with national averages to see how they are performing overall.

NAPLAN Applies to All Australian Schools

All Australian Government Schools

📍 National

Years 3, 5, 7, 9

All Catholic Schools

📍 National

Years 3, 5, 7, 9

All Independent Schools

📍 National

Years 3, 5, 7, 9

NAPLAN is a mandatory national assessment for all Australian students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 regardless of school type.

Watch & Learn

Official videos from exam boards and education departments to help you understand what to expect.

Unpacking the 2024 NAPLAN Results

Source: Grattan Institute

NAPLAN Writing Skills — ABC News Report

Source: ABC News Australia

Helpful Links & Official Information

Trusted government and institutional sources to support your child's preparation.

NAPLAN — Official Website

Official NSW Department of Education page with full list of selective and partially selective high schools.

NAPLAN Public Demonstration Site

Try official NAPLAN sample questions and see the online test format. Useful for understanding accessibility requirements.

NAPLAN for Parents & Carers

Official guide for parents explaining what NAPLAN measures, how to support your child, and how to interpret results.

NAPLAN for Schools

Information for schools on test administration, reporting, and using NAPLAN data to support teaching.

MySchool — Compare School Results

View and compare your school's NAPLAN results with statistically similar schools across Australia.

Past NAPLAN Tests & Answers

Access past NAPLAN paper tests and answer keys from the ACARA website for additional practice.

What's in Our Mock Packs?

NAPLAN Year 3 — all 4 domains, age-appropriate content and difficulty

NAPLAN Year 5 — all 4 domains, progressive difficulty from Year 3

NAPLAN Year 7 — all 4 domains, includes calculator/non-calculator Numeracy split

NAPLAN Year 9 — all 4 domains, most challenging NAPLAN level

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything parents ask about this exam — answered clearly.

When is NAPLAN held?

From 2023 onwards, NAPLAN is held in March each year. Previously (2008–2022) it was held in May. The Item Trial is held in May and June.

Is NAPLAN still done on paper?

NAPLAN has transitioned fully to online adaptive testing. Year 3 Writing may still be completed on paper in some schools, but all other tests are online.

What are the four NAPLAN domains?

NAPLAN tests four domains: Reading, Writing, Conventions of Language (spelling, grammar and punctuation), and Numeracy.

What does 'adaptive' mean?

The online NAPLAN test uses adaptive technology — questions adjust in difficulty based on your child's responses, providing a more accurate assessment of their ability level.

Does NAPLAN affect school placement or university entry?

NAPLAN results are not directly used for university admission. However, strong results can support applications to selective schools and scholarship programs. NAPLAN results do not measure overall school quality.

When do NAPLAN results come out?

NAPLAN results are typically released to schools and parents around mid-year, several months after the March test window.

Which year level pack should I buy?

Buy the pack matching your child's current year level (3, 5, 7 or 9). If your child is in Year 2 preparing early, start with the Year 3 pack. Each year level offers 1, 3, or 5 exam pack options.

Do Years 7 and 9 have calculator sections?

Do Years 7 and 9 have calculator sections? Yes. The Numeracy domain for Years 7 and 9 includes separate calculator and non-calculator sections. Our mock exams replicate this split.

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By State

By Exam Type

By Age & Grade

How It Works

Pricing

NAPLAN Preparation —

Years 3, 5, 7 & 9

4

109+

165 min

Online

Yes (Maths)

Instant

4 Sections. 165 Minutes. One Chance.

Here's exactly what your child will face — broken down by subject, question count, time limit, and format.

01

36–40

45 min

Reading

02

1 task

40 min

Writing

03

36

35 min

Conventions of Language

04

36

45 min

Numeracy

The test structure for NAPLAN is as below: at a Glance

What Each Domain Tests

Language Convention

Writing

Numeracy

Reading

Overview

Who Is This For?

Key Details

Application & Exam Process

Follow each step to stay on track and maximise your child's chances of success.

Check Test Dates

Step 1

Start Preparation

Step 2

Intensive Practice

Step 3

NAPLAN Test Window

Step 4

Receive Results

Step 5

Mock Exam Packs

NAPLAN Year 3 Full Mock Packs

Category

Subcategory

ACER Scholarship

HSC

NAPLAN

NCEA

NSW Opportunity Class

NSW Selective

QCE

QLD Academies

SA Ignite

SACE

TCE

VCE

VIC Selective Entry (SEHS)

WA GATE

NAPLAN Year 7 - 8 MEGA Mock Exam Pack

NAPLAN Year 5 - 8 MEGA Mock Exam Pack

VCE Further Mathematics Units 1 & 2 — 3 Practice Pack

VCE Biology Units 1 & 2 — 1 Practice Pack

NAPLAN Year 5 Full Mock Packs

Category

Subcategory

ACER Scholarship

HSC

NAPLAN

4 Sections. 165 Minutes.
One Chance.

Everything your child needs
to succeed