Key Dates for
NAPLAN 2024

Year
Period
NAPLAN

From 2023, NAPLAN has moved to March.
See NAPLAN 2024: What's changed (PDF 68KB) or read more about the NAP improvements.

2024 13 - 25 March
See test timetable
See Ramadan and NAPLAN
2025 12 - 24 March
NAPLAN practice tests
2024 Schools can complete practice tests in the assessment platform from Term 4, 2023. For more information, contact your school or your Test administration authority. The Public demonstration site provides sample tests for student familiarisation year-round.
NAP sample assessments -
ICT literacy
2024

Field trial: October - November

NAP sample opt-in assessments
2024 NAP Opt-in assessment in science literacy: May
NAPLAN results
Not known yet Not known yet - but normally mid August to mid September

Explore our NAPLAN Literacy and Numeracy modules

Select your school level to learn more

NAPLAN Test Timetables

Schools are able to use the expanded, flexible test window to schedule tests in a manner that best suits their needs. There are a few parameters that must be followed:

Schools must schedule the tests to be taken in the following order:

  1. writing
  2. reading
  3. conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation)
  4. numeracy.

All classes in a school must complete a domain before classes can move onto the next domain. For instance, all classes at Cook High School must finish the writing test before any of the classes can start the reading test. If students are absent, the classes can still move onto the reading test, even if these absent students have not yet done the writing test.

Each student must complete the reading test before they are able to sit the conventions of language test.

The NAPLAN test window window is nine days. Day 1 is Wednesday 13 March 2024 and day 9 is Monday 25th March 2024.

Students who are absent when their class participates in the tests can sit catch-up tests later in the test window.

If schools have any questions when planning a test schedule specific to their needs, they should contact the relevant state/territory Test administration authority.

Schools are able to use the 9-day test window to schedule tests, noting the test sequence in the table below and the following:

  • Tests must be scheduled as soon as possible within the test window, prioritising scheduling in the morning over the afternoon.
  • If students do more than one test in a given day, they must be given a break of at least 20 minutes between test sessions.
Scheduling requirements
Duration
Test description
Writing

Year 3 students do a paper-based writing test (on day 1 only). It is recommended that Year 3 writing tests be completed by all classes at the same time in the morning.

Years 5, 7 and 9 writing must be scheduled on day 1, with day 2 only used where there are technical or logistical limitations.

Year 3: 40 minutes

Year 5: 42 minutes

Year 7: 42 minutes

Year 9: 42 minutes

Students are provided with a ‘writing stimulus’ (sometimes called a ‘prompt’ – an idea or topic) and asked to write a response in a particular genre (narrative or persuasive writing).
Reading

To be completed before the conventions of language test.

Year 3: 45 minutes

Year 5: 50 minutes

Year 7: 65 minutes

Year 9: 65 minutes

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 minutes

Year 5: 45 minutes

Year 7: 45 minutes

Year 9: 45 minutes

This test assesses spelling, grammar and punctuation
Numeracy

To be completed after the conventions of language test

Year 3: 45 minutes

Year 5: 50 minutes

Year 7: 65 minutes

Year 9: 65 minutes

This test assesses number and algebra, measurement and geometry, and statistics and probability


NAP improvements
30 March 2022

Improvements to the National Assessment Program agreed to by ministers will enhance NAPLAN as a measure that allows teachers, schools, governments and parents to support students, and ensure they are gaining important literacy and numeracy skills.

Read the media release
Read the Education Ministers Meeting communique
Read the FAQs

NAPLAN testing dates are established in consultation with state, territory and federal authorities, are usually set for a number of years in advance, and accommodate different term dates in all states and territories

The timing of Ramadan and Eid is determined by the lunar calendar (phases of the moon), and the dates for these events change year to year and may, at times, fall during NAPLAN.

Assistance and flexibility are available to support participation in these instances.

Year
NAPLAN test window
Ramadan starts*
Eid al-Fitr starts*
2024
13–25 March 11 March 10 April
2025
12-24 March 1 March 31 March
2026
11-23 March 18 February 20 March
2027
10-22 March 8 February 10 March


What happens if a school is closed for Eid or students are absent from school on test days?

All students are encouraged to participate in NAPLAN. A school will, where possible, organise for individual students who are absent at the time of testing to sit the tests at another time during the school’s test schedule.

Schools that will be closed for Eid celebrations during testing days and that need to vary their NAPLAN test schedule must request permission from their local test administration authority (TAA). Scheduling options will vary depending on the assessment domain(s) affected. TAAs will advise schools accordingly.

What support can be provided for students who are observing Ramadan while undertaking NAPLAN?

To identify appropriate measures, parents and carers may wish to discuss with their child’s school any concerns regarding their child observing Ramadan and participating in NAPLAN. Schools with Muslim students can schedule NAPLAN tests first thing in the morning to ensure fasting students’ energy levels are at their highest. TAAs are best placed to support schools that require further advice.

Information about Ramadan and Eid

Ramadan is a sacred month for the Muslim community. Members of the Muslim community may observe the period by fasting from food and drink between dawn and sunset, with a focus on devotion and spiritual contemplation.

Eid al-Fitr, known as the 'feast of fast-breaking', marks the end of the holy month of fasting and is celebrated by feasts and gift-giving among family and friends.

During Ramadan, many families, including students, may be fasting as well as rising before dawn, and may be more tired than usual. Not all Muslim students fast during Ramadan, though their families may still be observing it, resulting in changes to regular household routines and disruptions to normal sleep cycles. Muslim students who are fasting abstain from all food and drink during daylight hours, breaking fast at sunset and then rising early in the morning to consume food and drink prior to the commencement of the day.

ACARA has consulted with the Muslim community and the Islamic Schools Association of Australia on developing the above information and guidance for schools, parents and carers in offering support to students observing special days in the Islamic calendar while undertaking NAPLAN.


* Regional customs or moon sightings may cause a variation of the date for Islamic holidays, which begin at sundown of the day before the date specified for the holiday. The Islamic calendar is lunar and the days begin at sunset, so there may be a one day error, depending on when the new moon is first seen.

What is NAPLAN?

NAPLAN, which stands for The National Assessment Program — Literacy and Numeracy, is a standardised series of tests which are sat by students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The results give parents and schools an idea of where each child is at in their development, and help education bodies identify areas of the curriculum which need specific focus.

For more frequently asked NAPLAN questions click here

What Is Naplan

How Cluey Learning can help you with NAPLAN 2024

NAPLAN Prep Programs

What makes Cluey Prep different?

What makes Cluey Prep different?

At Cluey our experienced Education Faculty have analysed questions from several years' past papers to develop programs for both literacy and numeracy that address the topics and concepts that are often assessed. Each program is led by an expert tutor who's matched to your needs, providing individualised, 1-to-1 help to address any gaps and give you strategies to assist your preparation.

For more information on our NAPLAN Prep Programs click here

Cluey NAPLAN prep courses include

Private 1-to-1 online tutoring
Independent practice activities
Practice Tests and Feedback

Tutor matching for individual personality and learning traits

Local syllabus aligned content

Learn online from the convenience of your own home

Weekly reporting on student’s program progress

Unlimited access to tutor session recordings

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NAPLAN Practice Test and Past Papers

Looking for NAPLAN Tests and Past Papers to practise?

Practice tests and past papers can help your child prepare for NAPLAN by familiarising them with the kinds of questions asked, giving them the confidence to attempt each one.

Find links to NAPLAN practice tests and past papers here

Looking for NAPLAN Tests and Past Papers to practice?

NAPLAN advice for parents from our experts