How to prepare for NAPLAN

Start with everyday learning

ACARA identifies teaching the curriculum as the best preparation. Reading, writing and mathematical learning throughout the year give the tests their context. Familiarisation can support that learning, but repeated testing alone does not teach a missing skill.

NAP’s parent guidance says students are not expected to study for NAPLAN and discourages excessive preparation and coaching services. Teachers provide familiarisation and support. Choose home activities for a useful learning purpose rather than treating additional test practice as a requirement.

At home, connect practice with what the learner is doing in class. Read a passage and discuss the evidence, explain a calculation, or revise one paragraph. Ask the teacher which focus would be most useful if you are unsure.

Official guidance: NAP: What’s in the tests · NAP: Guidance for parents and carers

Choose one purpose for the next session

Tell the learner the purpose before starting. If the session is about learning, give help. If it is about observing independent work, keep a note of help needed and return to that teaching after the attempt.

A flexible preparation routine

This is a sequence of learning purposes, not a required timetable or a guarantee of results. Stretch it, shorten it or skip an activity according to the learner’s needs and the school’s guidance.

• First session: try a few questions in one domain and discuss what felt clear or uncertain.
• Next session: teach or revisit the skill identified in that review.
• Later session: use a different example to check whether the idea transfers.
• Familiarisation session: try official controls and read transition instructions.
• Longer practice, when useful: complete an available paper or writing response and make time for review.

• Find original examples by year
• Check the upcoming test window

Support a learner without answering for them

Before an independent attempt, check that the learner understands the instruction and knows how to use the controls. During the attempt, avoid turning each uncertain answer into a coached response if you want a useful picture of independent work.

Afterwards, ask the learner to select one question to explain. You might discover that the difficulty was vocabulary, the response control or a calculation step. That distinction makes the next activity more precise.

For accessibility and approved adjustments, speak with the school. Official arrangements are determined through the school and relevant authority; the practice resource cannot approve or guarantee an adjustment.

Official guidance: NAP: Accessibility and adjustments

• Official accessibility and adjustment information

Keep the routine manageable

There is no universal amount of home practice that every learner must complete. A short activity with a useful explanation can offer more information than a long session rushed to produce a score.

• Use a suitable space and check the device before an online activity.
• Include breaks and leave time for normal learning and rest.
• Describe the purpose as finding something useful to learn.
• Praise a clear explanation, a thoughtful revision or a sensible check.
• Stop and revisit the teaching if a full attempt is obscuring the learning need.

Practice at home and in the classroom

Families can use these free guide examples without an account. TestHero also offers one free reduced-scope readiness check per home learner and full papers with paid access.

Teachers can assign original practice through a school workspace. Completion is visible, and score access follows the school licence. Review class patterns to decide what to teach next while considering individual work as well.

• TestHero for parents
• TestHero for teachers
• See what the readiness check includes