Understanding NAPLAN 2025: A Guide for Parents and Carers

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an essential tool for evaluating students’ literacy and numeracy skills across Australia. For parents and carers, understanding what NAPLAN is, why it’s important, and how it benefits your child can help you better support them during this process.

What is NAPLAN?

NAPLAN is a nationwide assessment that measures literacy and numeracy skills for students in Years 4, 5, 7, and 9. These skills are fundamental to a child’s success at school and later in life. NAPLAN offers a snapshot of how your child is progressing in areas like reading, writing, and numeracy, based on what they are learning in the school curriculum.

While NAPLAN results are not the sole indicator of a child’s performance, they provide valuable insights. These insights help parents understand their child’s strengths and areas that may need improvement. Teachers also use the results to tailor their teaching strategies, while schools and education authorities evaluate the effectiveness of their programs.

Why Do Students Sit NAPLAN?

The main goal of NAPLAN is to ensure students are developing core skills as they move through school. By participating in NAPLAN, parents and carers can see:

• How their child is performing compared to national standards.

• Whether their child is achieving literacy and numeracy milestones.

• Areas where additional support or challenges may be needed.

Moreover, NAPLAN results help schools and governments understand how well educational programs are working. This ensures that improvements can be made to benefit all students.

NAPLAN 2025: Moving Online

This event is conducted nationwide across Australia and has been held online since 2022. Since its transition to an online format, NAPLAN has become more engaging and precise. Online tests are adaptive, meaning they adjust the difficulty of questions based on a student’s answers. This approach provides a more personalized experience, allowing a broader range of abilities to be assessed accurately.

Key points to know:

• Most students will complete the tests online, except for Year 3 writing, which is still done on paper.

• Online tests offer more precise results by assessing both the number and complexity of questions a student answers correctly.

• If your child encounters challenging questions, it’s okay—they might be taking a more advanced test pathway.

What Does NAPLAN Assess?

NAPLAN focuses on four main areas:

1. Writing: Assessing students’ ability to express ideas clearly and logically.
   

2. Reading: Evaluating comprehension and critical thinking skills.
   

3. Conventions of Language: Covering spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
   

4. Numeracy: Testing problem-solving and mathematical reasoning skills.

The assessments are based on the Australian Curriculum: English and Mathematics and reflect what students are already learning in school.

Participation and Adjustments for Students

NAPLAN is designed to be inclusive, ensuring all students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 can participate. For children with disabilities or additional needs, schools can make reasonable adjustments, such as providing extra time or alternate formats.

In some cases, exemptions may be granted:

• For students with severe disabilities
  

• For students who have recently arrived in Australia and have a non-English-speaking background.

If your child needs adjustments or an exemption, speak with their school principal or your local test administration authority for guidance.

What if My Child Misses a Test?

If your child is absent on test days, schools may arrange for them to complete the missed tests later within the test schedule. Contact your child’s school to discuss any concerns about attendance.

How Can Parents Support Their Child?

Preparing your child for NAPLAN doesn’t require extra coaching or study. The best way to support them is by fostering a positive attitude toward the tests and reminding them that NAPLAN is just one part of their school journey.

Here’s how you can help:

• Encourage your child to simply do their best.
  

• Discuss what NAPLAN is and explain its purpose to ease any anxiety.
  

• Trust their teachers, who will ensure students are familiar with the test format and provide necessary guidance.

Avoid pressuring your child or investing in extensive coaching services. Focus on maintaining their confidence and well-being.

How are NAPLAN Results Reported?

NAPLAN results are now reported using proficiency standards. These standards clearly outline what students should achieve at each year level. Results fall into four categories:

1. Exceeding: Going beyond the expected level.
   

2. Strong: Meeting the expected level confidently
   

3. Developing: Progressing but needs improvement.
   

4. Needs Additional Support: Below the expected level and requires help.

Your child’s school will provide an individual student report, showing their performance in each assessment area. If you don’t receive this report, contact the school.

How Are Results Used?

NAPLAN results are beneficial for various stakeholders:

• Parents and carers: To discuss progress with teachers and plan support if needed.
  

• Teachers: To identify students who need extra help or advanced challenges.
  

• Schools: To evaluate teaching programs and set literacy and numeracy goals
  

• Governments and education authorities: To assess and improve education policies.

Final Thoughts

NAPLAN plays a vital role in helping students, parents, and schools understand educational progress. By taking part in NAPLAN, your child contributes to a broader understanding of literacy and numeracy development across Australia.

For more detailed information, visit the NAPLAN page on Test Champs-WA. Additionally, don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s school with any questions or concerns.

By supporting your child through NAPLAN, you’re helping them build the skills they need for future success.