As a parent, you want the best for your child, and when it comes to academic progress, NAPLAN plays an important role in assessing their literacy and numeracy skills.

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a standardised test for students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9, designed to evaluate fundamental skills essential for school and future learning. Since 2023, NAPLAN has been held in March rather than May, allowing schools and parents to access results earlier and provide targeted support where needed.

When is NAPLAN in 2025?

The 2025 NAPLAN testing window is scheduled from 10–21 March.
While NAPLAN is just one of many assessments students complete throughout their schooling, it provides valuable insights into their progress, helping schools, education authorities, and parents identify areas where additional support may be required.
This guide covers everything parents need to know, including what NAPLAN assesses, how to help children prepare, and useful resources for effective study.

What Does NAPLAN Assess?

NAPLAN tests core literacy and numeracy skills that students develop through their regular school curriculum. The test consists of four key components:
• Reading – Assesses comprehension and analytical skills.
• Writing – Requires students to produce either a narrative or persuasive text.
• Language Conventions – Tests spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Numeracy – Evaluates mathematical understanding and problem-solving abilities.

Since 2022, NAPLAN has been conducted online, except for the Year 3 writing test, which remains paper-based. The online format uses adaptive testing, meaning that question difficulty adjusts based on student responses, providing a more personalised measure of their ability.

Understanding NAPLAN Results

NAPLAN results are now reported using four proficiency levels instead of the previous numerical bands:

• Exceeding – Above the expected level for the year group.
• Strong – Meeting challenging but reasonable expectations.
• Developing – Working towards the expected standard.
• Needs additional support – Below the expected level and requiring further assistance.

Understanding these levels can help parents interpret their child’s results and provide the right support where necessary.

How Parents Can Help Their Child Prepare for NAPLAN

Helping your child prepare for NAPLAN does not have to be stressful. A balanced approach that focuses on skill-building, practice, and confidence can make a significant difference.

1. Strengthening Reading Skills

The NAPLAN Reading test evaluates a student’s comprehension and critical thinking skills. Parents can support their child by:
• Encouraging regular reading across different genres, including fiction, non-fiction, news articles, and reports.
• Discussing main ideas, themes, and key facts from texts to develop deeper understanding.
• Asking open-ended questions to improve critical thinking and interpretation skills.
• Practising summarisation techniques to help with recall and comprehension.

2. Improving Writing Skills

The Writing component requires students to write a structured narrative or persuasive text based on a given prompt. To support writing development, parents can:
• Encourage regular writing exercises using past NAPLAN-style prompts.
• Teach structured writing techniques, including planning, paragraph organisation, and clear argument development.
• Focus on coherence, sentence structure, and vocabulary improvement.
• Conduct timed writing sessions to build confidence in test conditions.

3. Enhancing Language Conventions

The Language Conventions test assesses spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Parents can help their child prepare by:
• Encouraging self-editing and proofreading skills in their writing.
• Reviewing common spelling patterns and tricky words.
• Practising punctuation rules, including commas, apostrophes, and quotation marks.
• Using educational word games and activities to make learning grammar fun and engaging.

4. Building Numeracy Confidence

The Numeracy test assesses mathematical understanding, problem-solving, and reasoning skills. To improve numeracy confidence, parents can:
• Encourage the application of mathematical concepts in everyday activities, such as budgeting, cooking, and measuring.
• Help children break down worded problems into simpler steps for easier problem-solving.
• Reinforce core skills such as multiplication, division, fractions, and percentages.
• Use online numeracy resources and practice NAPLAN-style questions to familiarise students with test formats.

Additional Resources for NAPLAN Preparation

Parents looking for extra support can access a range of free NAPLAN practice materials. Some useful resources include:

• Official NAPLAN Website: https://www.nap.edu.au

• NAPLAN Practice Tests & Past Papers: https://clueylearning.com.au/naplan-practice-tests-past-papers/

• ACARA NAPLAN Test Papers: https://www.acara.edu.au/assessment/naplan/naplan-2012-2016-test-papers

Expert NAPLAN Tutoring with Tutors SA

At Tutors SA, we understand that every student learns differently. Our expert tutors provide targeted NAPLAN preparation to build confidence and improve results. Our approach includes:

• NAPLAN-focused lessons aligned with the Australian Curriculum.
• Regular practice tests to improve familiarity and test-taking skills.
• Individualised feedback to help students strengthen weak areas.
• Small group and one-on-one tutoring to cater to different learning needs.

Give your child the best chance to excel in NAPLAN 2025 with expert guidance from Tutors SA.

Contact us today or visit Tutors SA to learn more about our NAPLAN tutoring programs.

Final Thoughts

While NAPLAN is an important academic milestone, it is just one of many assessments that contribute to a child’s overall learning journey. Encouraging a positive mindset, regular practice, and strong foundational skills will help your child approach NAPLAN with confidence.

By implementing these preparation strategies—and seeking expert support if needed—your child will be well-equipped to succeed in NAPLAN 2025.