NAPLAN Practice Papers & Resources For 2026
NAPLAN is a government assessment program that tests students' literacy and numeracy skills across primary and secondary schools. Students are assessed every 2 years, in Years 3,5,7 and 9. If you are looking for some extra practice papers to ensure your child is on track for the NAPLAN, read on.
Table of Content:
- What is NAPLAN?
- When is NAPLAN 2026?
- What is the Reading Component?
- What is the Writing Component?
- What is in the Conventions of Language Component?
- What is in the Numeracy Component?
- NAPLAN Practice Papers
- NAPLAN online resources
- FAQs
What is NAPLAN?
NAPLAN stands for the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy. Think of it as a nationwide check-up to see how students are doing in key skill areas. It’s a consistent, national measure designed to see if students are meeting educational outcomes and to help schools understand what’s working and where they can improve.
It’s really important to remember that NAPLAN is a "point-in-time" assessment. It’s not a pass or fail exam, but more of a tool to see where a student is at on a particular day. It helps teachers, parents, and the education system get a clearer picture of how everyone is progressing.
The test covers four key areas, which are pretty much the building blocks of learning.
When is NAPLAN 2026?
The NAPLAN test window is 9 days in the middle of March every year. The official NAPLAN 2026 test window is from Wednesday 11 March to Monday 23 March 2026.
|
Test |
Scheduling requirements |
Duration |
Test description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Writing |
Year 3 students complete the writing test on paper and must be scheduled 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 tests are completed online and 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 (prompt) and asked to write a response in a particular genre (narrative or persuasive writing). Year 3 is paper-based; Years 5, 7 and 9 are online. |
|
Reading |
To be completed after the writing test. All year levels complete this test online using adaptive testing. |
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 to assess comprehension, interpretation and analysis skills. |
|
Conventions of Language |
To be completed after the reading test. All year levels complete this test online using adaptive testing. |
Year 3: 45 minutes Year 5: 45 minutes Year 7: 45 minutes Year 9: 45 minutes |
This test assesses spelling, grammar and punctuation. Students demonstrate their knowledge of language conventions through multiple-choice and interactive questions. |
|
Numeracy |
To be completed after the conventions of language test. All year levels complete this test online using adaptive testing. Years 7 and 9 have a non-calculator section followed by a calculator-allowed section. |
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. Questions test understanding, fluency, problem-solving and reasoning skills. |
What is the Reading Component?
The NAPLAN reading tests assess literacy proficiency in alignment with the Australian Curriculum. These tests focus on the reading of written English, with an emphasis on comprehension, interpretation, and language conventions in context. Many reading questions require students to demonstrate their understanding of these conventions.
Students are presented with various texts that showcase different writing styles. They read these texts and respond to related questions. The test consists of multiple-choice questions as well as interactive, technology-enhanced items such as drag-and-drop and hot text. The public demonstration site provides examples of these question formats and includes accessibility features for students with disabilities.
What is the Writing Component?
The three primary text types taught in school are imaginative (such as narrative writing), informative, and persuasive writing. During the NAPLAN writing test, all students receive the same writing task, regardless of whether they are in Year 3 completing a paper test, or in Years 5, 7, or 9 completing an online test.
In the writing assessment, students are given a 'writing stimulus' (also known as a 'prompt'), which presents a topic or idea. They must then craft a response in a designated text type. The specific prompts vary depending on the testing day and student year level, but they are designed to reflect the full range of expected student capabilities from Years 3 to 9. The assigned text type is only revealed on the day of the assessment.
Persuasive Writing
The Persuasive Writing Marking Guide and an example Writing stimulus can be downloaded by clicking on the links.
Note: The 2013 Persuasive Writing Marking Guide remains current.
Narrative Writing
The Narrative Writing Marking Guide and an example Writing stimulus can be downloaded.
Note: The 2010 Narrative Writing Marking Guide remains current.
What is in the Conventions of Language Component?
The Conventions of Language tests evaluate students’ proficiency in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. The tests assess students’ understanding and application of written standard Australian English. Mastering these skills is critical for both reading and writing development. While spelling, grammar, and punctuation are explicitly assessed in the writing tests, knowledge of language conventions is also necessary for comprehension in reading. The assessment consists of multiple-choice, text-entry, and interactive technology-enhanced questions, such as drag-and-drop and hot-text.
What is in the Numeracy Component?
The NAPLAN numeracy tests evaluate students' mathematical knowledge, skills, and understanding. These tests assess proficiency in four key areas: understanding, fluency, problem-solving, and reasoning. The questions cover three major content strands: number and algebra, measurement and geometry, and statistics and probability.
Year 7 and Year 9 Tests
For students in Years 7 and 9, the numeracy test is divided into two sections. The first section is a short non-calculator test that requires students to demonstrate their arithmetic skills. In the second section, students are allowed to use a calculator, though not all questions will require one.
NAPLAN Practice Papers
Year 3
Sample Tests
- Language Conventions - Answers
- Writing Prompt 1 - Marking Guide
- Writing Prompt 2 - Marking Guide
- Reading Magazine - Answers
- Reading - Answers
- Numeracy - Answers
Past Papers
- NAPLAN 2016 final test, writing prompt – Imagine (Years 3 and 5)
- NAPLAN 2016 final test, writing, Year 3
- NAPLAN 2016 final test, reading magazine, Year 3
- NAPLAN 2016 final test, reading, Year 3
- NAPLAN 2016 final test, numeracy, Year 3
- NAPLAN 2016 final test, language conventions, Year 3
NAPLAN 2016 Year 3 paper test answers
- NAPLAN 2015 final test, language conventions, Year 3
- NAPLAN 2015 final test, numeracy, Year 3
- NAPLAN 2015 final test, reading magazine, Year 3 (redacted image of face page 4)
- NAPLAN 2015 final test, reading, Year 3
- NAPLAN 2015 final test, writing prompt (Years 3 5 only)
- NAPLAN 2015 final test, writing, Year 3
NAPLAN 2015 Year 3 paper test answers
Year 5
Sample tests
- Language Conventions - Answers
- Writing Prompt 1 - Marking Guide
- Writing Prompt 2 - Marking Guide
- Reading Magazine - Answers
- Reading - Answers
- Numeracy - Answers
Past Practice Papers
- NAPLAN 2016 final test, writing prompt – Imagine (Years 3 5 only)
- NAPLAN 2016 final test, writing, Year 5
- NAPLAN 2016 final test, reading magazine, Year 5
- NAPLAN 2016 final test, reading, Year 5
- NAPLAN 2016 final test, numeracy, Year 5
- NAPLAN 2016 final test, language conventions, Year 5
NAPLAN 2016 Year 5 paper test answers
- NAPLAN 2015 final test, reading magazine, Year 5
- NAPLAN 2015 final test, writing prompt (Years 3 5 only)
- NAPLAN 2015 final test, numeracy, Year 5
- NAPLAN 2015 final test, writing, Year 5
- NAPLAN 2015 final test, reading, Year 5
- NAPLAN 2015 final test, language conventions, Year 5
NAPLAN 2015 Year 5 paper test answers
Year 7
Sample tests
- Language Conventions - Answers
- Writing Prompt 1 - Marking Guide
- Writing Prompt 2 - Marking Guide
- Reading - Answers
- Reading Magazine - Answers
- Numeracy Calculator Allowed - Answers
- Numeracy Non-calculator - Answers
Past Practice Papers
- NAPLAN 2016 final test, writing prompt – Sign Said (Years 7 9)
- NAPLAN 2016 final test, writing, Year 7
- NAPLAN 2016 final test, reading magazine, Year 7 (redacted name on page 7)
- NAPLAN 2016 final test, reading, Year 7
- NAPLAN 2016 final test, numeracy, Year 7 (calculator)
- NAPLAN 2016 final test, numeracy, Year 7 (non-calculator)
- NAPLAN 2016 final test, language conventions, Year 7
NAPLAN 2016 Year 7 paper test answers
- NAPLAN 2015 final test, reading magazine, Year 7
- NAPLAN 2015 final test, writing prompt – The Best (Years 7 9 only)
- NAPLAN 2015 final test, numeracy (calculator), Year 7
- NAPLAN 2015 final test, numeracy (non-calculator), Year 7
- NAPLAN 2015 final test, reading, Year 7
- NAPLAN 2015 final test, writing, Year 7
- NAPLAN 2015 final test, language conventions, Year 7
NAPLAN 2015 Year 7 paper test answers
Year 9
Sample tests
- Language Conventions - Answers
- Writing Prompt 1 - Marking Guide
- Writing Prompt 2 - Marking Guide
- Reading - Answers
- Reading Magazine - Answers
- Numeracy (Calculator Allowed) - Answers
- Numeracy (Non-Calculator) - Answers
Past Papers
- NAPLAN 2016 final test, writing, Year 9
- NAPLAN 2016 final test, writing prompt – Sign Said, Years 7 9
- NAPLAN 2016 final test, reading magazine, Year 9
- NAPLAN 2016 final test, reading, Year 9
- NAPLAN 2016 final test, numeracy, Year 9 (calculator)
- NAPLAN 2016 final test, numeracy, Year 9 (non-calculator)
- NAPLAN 2016 final test, language conventions, Year 9
NAPLAN 2016 Year 9 paper test answers
- NAPLAN 2015 final test, reading magazine, Year 9
- NAPLAN 2015 final test, writing prompt – The Best (Years 7 9 only)
- NAPLAN 2015 final test, numeracy, Year 9 (calculator)
- NAPLAN 2015 final test, numeracy, Year 9 (non-calculator)
- NAPLAN 2015 final test, writing, Year 9
- NAPLAN 2015 final test, reading, Year 9
- NAPLAN 2015 final test, language conventions, Year 9
NAPLAN 2015 Year 9 paper test answers
NAPLAN online resources
Official ACARA and NAP resources
The official bodies that run NAPLAN, ACARA and the National Assessment Program (NAP), provide some useful starting materials.
- Demonstration Site: The NAP Public Demonstration Site is a great tool for getting a feel for the online test environment. It lets students try out the different interactive question types and navigation.
Free third-party practice papers
A quick Google search will show you lots of websites offering free NAPLAN practice tests, and these can be a decent starting point.
- Specific Examples: Providers like NotesEdu offer a few free sample tests to try, and Tutewiz has some free downloadable papers as well as one online practice test.
| Platform | Key Offering | Price |
|---|---|---|
| NotesEdu | Platinum package with 32 exam-style tests (1250+ questions), detailed solutions, and two writing tests marked with feedback. | $129 for 365 days |
| Tutewiz | Premium pack with 5 full-length tests (20 tests total across all domains), a video library, and quick reference "cheat sheets". | $49 per student |
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Conclusion
For more tips and information on NAPLAN, check out these KIS Academics articles:
FAQs
What are the most recent changes to NAPLAN 2025 onwards?
- Tests four domains: Reading, Writing, Language Conventions (spelling, grammar, punctuation), and Numeracy.
- Except for Year 3 writing (still paper-based), all components are now completed online using adaptive digital format questions.
- Results now use four proficiency levels: Exceeding, Strong, Developing, Needs Additional Support. Find out how to understand your child's NAPLAN results here.
- Earlier test date, faster marking and reporting, and more targeted feedback and intervention.
- Schools can opt in for additional sample assessments in science literacy and civics (Years 6 and 10).
How do I make my child feel more confident, and less stressed, about the NAPLAN?
- Reassure them that NAPLAN is only one part of their school learning and it helps identify strengths and targets; not rank or worth.
- Practice relaxation and mindset techniques, use positive reinforcement, and avoid last-minute cramming.
- Communicate with teachers to monitor progress and address any anxiety or areas of concern early.
Where can I find more resources about NAPLAN?
- Online sample tests: ACARA demo site, school platforms, tutoring sites, including past papers for all year levels.
- Parent guides and FAQs on the National Assessment Program website, state education portals, and school communications.