The next NAPLAN test is scheduled to happen in March in 2026.
All our NAPLAN practice tests are based on: Latest proficiency standards and assessment areas 2026
What is NAPLAN?
NAPLAN Exam: Build early exam confidence — See our Test Series
NAPLAN is Australia’s annual assessment of literacy and numeracy for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 run by ACARA to measure student progress against national standards.
Also called NAP exam or test in short.
Main points about the test are:
- This is organized Australia-wide and will happen online (since 2022) now.
- All students in these years in all states are expected to appear in this test.
- NAPLAN tests cover four areas or domains: Reading, Language Conventions (Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation), Numeracy and Writing.
What they assess: Latest proficiency standards and assessment areas for 2025
Detailed information is available at: NAP
In 2026, the NAPLAN test is going to be held between 11–25 March. Schools will aim to schedule the tests at the earliest opportunity within the testing window.
Key Dates
When is NAPLAN 2026?
Test Window
11-Mar to 23-Mar
Order and duration for Year 3
| Subject | Duration | Tentative questions |
|---|---|---|
| Writing (On Paper) | 40 mins | 1 |
| Reading | 45 mins | 39 |
| Conventions of language | 45 mins | 50 |
| Numeracy | 45 mins | 36 |
The writing test for year 3 is done on paper by all students.
Order and duration for Year 5
| Subject | Duration | Tentative questions |
|---|---|---|
| Writing | 42 mins | 1 |
| Reading | 50 mins | 39 |
| Conventions of language | 45 mins | 50 |
| Numeracy | 50 mins | 42 |
Order and duration for Year 7
| Subject | Duration | Tentative questions |
|---|---|---|
| Writing | 42 mins | 1 |
| Reading | 65 mins | 48 |
| Conventions of language | 45 mins | 50 |
| Numeracy | 65 mins | 48 |
Curious4ever
NAPLAN Past Papers
Looking for NAPLAN practice tests and past papers and tests to prepare for your child's assessment?
The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) provides access to past NAPLAN test papers and answers from 2012 to 2016 for grades 3, 5, 7, and 9.
However, it's worth noting that ACARA doesn't provide access to NAPLAN tests conducted after 2016. Therefore, these older papers should only be considered for reference only. We recommend practicing online with the latest material.
These past tests include writing, reading, numeracy, and language conventions for each grade, and the materials are available in PDF format here.
Further, it is important to note that the NAPLAN test now happens online. Therefore, you must practice on some online platform.
More About NAPLAN Past Papers
Why do students participate in NAPLAN?
NAPLAN is a special test that students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 take every year. It’s like a big check-up for their reading, writing, and math skills. Here’s why it’s important:
- Checking Progress: As students grow, we want to make sure they’re getting better at these important skills. NAPLAN helps us see how well they’re doing.
- What NAPLAN Tests: It checks how well students are learning the stuff they study in school. So, it’s like a report card for reading, writing, and math.
- Parents and Teachers: Parents and teachers can look at the NAPLAN results to see how a child is doing compared to other kids across the country. It’s like a measuring stick!
- Not the Only Test: NAPLAN is just one part of how schools figure out how well students are doing. Teachers still use their own tests and observations to understand each student.
- Big Picture: NAPLAN also helps schools and the government know if their education programs are working. Are Aussie kids getting better at reading and math? NAPLAN helps us find out!
NAPLAN test is online now.
Your child will take NAPLAN tests online. These tests are designed to give precise results and keep students engaged. How does it work?
- Tailored Testing: Each test adapts based on how a student answers. If a question is tough, the next one might be easier. This keeps students interested.
- Measuring Skills: NAPLAN looks at how well students answer questions of different complexity. It’s like a puzzle!
- No Worries: If your child finds some questions tricky, it’s okay. They might be on a more challenging path. Everyone’s unique!
- Not the Only Test: NAPLAN is just one part of how schools figure out how well students are doing. Teachers still use their own tests and observations to understand each student.
- Writing Assessment: Year 3 students will still do their writing assessment on paper.
Remember, NAPLAN helps us understand how well Aussie kids are doing in reading, writing, and math!
Check Online Practice TestsCurious4ever
Regarding Our NAPLAN Test Preparation Services
Overview of Curious4ever
- An Australian-developed digital platform for online evaluations and practice exams.
- Focuses on how well practice exams work for improved learning and self-evaluation.
Our NAPLAN Practice Test Series Features and Exam Guidance
- Provides fully online practice tests for Australian students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 for the NAPLAN (National Assessment Program — Literacy and Numeracy).
- Essential for efficient NAPLAN preparation.
- Designed to replicate the real test experience and evaluate students' present status.
- Includes interactive tools like rulers and protractors for relevant questions.
- Rather of cramming, concentrate on developing your key talents over time.
Long-Term Advantages
- Helps students gain lifelong literacy and numeracy skills.
In 2026, the online NAPLAN tests will take place in March.
This is your child's first two months of the new school year. Therefore, the preparation must begin the year before.
Our NAPLAN practice tests are important as they help determine whether students have the foundational literacy and numeracy skills needed for further education. They also provide insights into areas where students may need additional support.
Quick Schedule Table
NAPLAN 2026 exam schedule summary
| Test | Scheduling Requirements | Duration | Test Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Writing |
Year 3 students complete the writing test on paper only on day 1. For Years 5, 7, and 9, the writing test must begin on day 1 (schools should prioritize finishing the writing test on day 1, with day 2 reserved only for technical or logistical reasons). |
Year 3: 40 min Year 5: 42 min Year 7: 42 min Year 9: 42 min |
Students are provided with an idea or topic called a writing stimulus (or prompt) and asked to write a response in a particular genre (narrative or persuasive writing). |
| Reading | To be completed after the writing test. | Year 3: 45 min Year 5: 50 min Year 7: 65 min Year 9: 65 min |
Students read a range of informative, imaginative and persuasive texts, and then answer related questions. |
| Conventions of Language | To be completed after the reading test. | Year 3: 45 min Year 5: 45 min Year 7: 45 min Year 9: 45 min |
Students are assessed on spelling, grammar and punctuation. |
| Numeracy | To be completed after the conventions of language test. | Year 3: 45 min Year 5: 50 min Year 7: 65 min Year 9: 65 min |
Students are assessed on number and algebra, measurement and geometry, and statistics and probability. |
NAPLAN for Year 3, 5, 7, 9
NAPLAN: Its Relevance and Why It Matters at Every Year Level
NAPLAN Exam: It's relevance for each year — See our Test Series
Honest, practical guidance on NAPLAN—what the tests measure, how each year level should approach them, and why results matter for learning pathways.
Year 3 NAPLAN — First Formal Test: Confidence & Digital Familiarity
Year 3 is most children’s first formal national assessment and often their first online test. The main purpose at this stage is to build familiarity with the test format and reduce exam anxiety.
- Focus: basic literacy and numeracy skills aligned with early primary curriculum.
- Why it matters: confirms whether foundational reading, writing and number skills are on track.
- Parent action: introduce short, calm online practice sessions to build confidence and comfort with the platform.
Year 5 & Year 7 NAPLAN — Foundation for Selective & Scholarship Pathways
These are pivotal years for families considering selective schools or scholarships. NAPLAN offers a clear benchmark of curriculum-level skills and shows whether a child has the foundational abilities to succeed in more competitive exams.
- Focus: deeper literacy comprehension, more complex numeracy and problem-solving.
- Why it matters: strong NAPLAN results at Year 5 and Year 7 indicate readiness for selective/scholarship preparation.
- Parent action: use NAPLAN results to identify specific topic gaps (e.g., reading comprehension, fractions, deduction) and target practice early.
Note: NAPLAN tests curriculum-level skills (often covering the current year and some prior content). If a student struggles on NAPLAN, it usually means they need focused practice on basics before moving to advanced selective exam work.
Year 9 NAPLAN — Final Checkpoint Before Senior Secondary
Year 9 results act as a useful snapshot before students choose senior subjects. Good performance suggests students are on track for ATAR-related subjects and university pathways.
- Focus: higher-order literacy, numerical reasoning and data interpretation.
- Why it matters: indicates academic readiness for Years 10–12 and helps guide subject selection and support planning.
- Parent action: use Year 9 data to plan targeted interventions or extensions before senior school demands increase.
Key Takeaways — Why NAPLAN Is Useful
NAPLAN is not the whole story, but it is an objective, national snapshot of literacy and numeracy progress. It highlights strengths, exposes learning gaps, and gives families time to act—early intervention leads to the best long-term outcomes.
- Benchmarking: nationwide comparison of skills for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.
- Actionable feedback: clear areas to practise and improve.
- Preparation for high-stakes pathways: a useful early indicator for selective/scholarship readiness and senior-school planning.
Quick Practical Advice for Parents
- Prioritise calm, short online practice—familiarity beats last-minute cramming.
- Use NAPLAN to identify specific topics to strengthen rather than treating it as a single “score” event.
- For selective/scholarship planning, treat Year 5 and Year 7 results as early signals—fix gaps now, aim higher later.
Ready to prepare with practice that mirrors the online format? Check the Curious4ever NAPLAN Test Series for Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 practice tests, writing tasks and step-by-step revision help.
Explore the Curious4ever NAPLAN Test Series
Explore NAPLAN Test SeriesFrequently Asked Questions
NAPLAN FAQs
From 2023, NAPLAN had moved to March.
The window for NAPLAN 2026 is from 11 to 23 March.