NAPLAN test window

The NAPLAN test window is 9 days.

Schools may schedule catch-up tests later in the test window for students who are absent when their class participates in the tests.

If schools have any questions when planning a test schedule specific to their needs, they should refer to the NAPLAN national protocols for test administration or 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.

Download the NAPLAN test window infographic (PDF 716 KB).

 

Test

Scheduling requirements

Duration

Test description

Writing

Year 3 students must do the writing test on paper on day 1 only

Years 5, 7 and 9 writing tests must start on day 1. Schools must prioritise completion of writing 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 given an idea or topic called a writing prompt (or stimulus) and asked to write a response in a particular text type (narrative or persuasive writing).

Reading

To be completed after the writing 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

Students are assessed on 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

Students are assessed on number, algebra, measurement, space, statistics and probability.

 

 

Technical requirements

For more information on technical readiness and device requirements, visit Technical requirements

 

More information

top