Each year, samples of Year 6 and Year 10 students from across Australia are tested in either civics and citizenship (NAP–CC), information and communication technology literacy (NAP–ICTL), or science literacy (NAP–SL).
Future dates for NAP sample assessments can be found on the Key dates page of this website.
Why your child is being tested in these areas
In order to measure student achievement in relation to the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration education ministers agreed to a program of sample assessments in science literacy, ICT literacy and civics and citizenship.
NAP sample assessments test students’ capacity to use scientific knowledge and approaches (science literacy); their civic knowledge and understanding and the skills and values needed for active citizenship (civics and citizenship); and their ability to use information communication technology (ICT) appropriately to access, manage, integrate and evaluate information. Only selected groups of students in Years 6 and 10 participate in these sample assessments, which are held on a rolling three-yearly basis.
Participating schools (and students) are chosen via a scientific representative selection process, however this process has been designed in such a way to ensure that the samples are sufficiently large to provide an accurate picture of the performance of students in each state and territory.
The benefits of your child participating in the NAP sample assessments
Primary and secondary school students participating in the NAP sample assessments benefit in a number of ways. Students have the opportunity to engage with state-of-the-art assessment materials, all of which are delivered on-line. This is an excellent learning opportunity for students.
Reporting your child’s performance & how the information from the sample assessment is used
After NAP sample assessments have taken place, schools taking part receive reports summarising their students’ results. A national public report describing student achievement in the sample assessments are also published. No individual schools or students are identified in these reports. For more information, please contact your school.
Preparing your child for the NAP sample assessments
Students are not expected to study for the NAP sample assessments. The assessments are designed to assess your child’s knowledge and understanding of either civics and citizenship, science or ICT literacy. Last minute preparation is unnecessary.
How your child’s school is chosen to participate
Schools selected to participate in the NAP sample assessments are chosen via a scientific representative selection process. ACARA employs contractors to select the sample of schools to participate each relevant year. The sample selection process is designed in such a way that ensures there is adequate representation of the states and territories as well as government, Catholic and independent schools.
Participating in more than one sample assessment
The NAP sample assessments take place on a three yearly cycle. Schools are selected to participate via a scientific representative selection process and it is possible your child may, for example, be part of a class selected to participate in a sample assessment in Year 6, and selected again when your child is in Year 10. The chances of this are increased for those students in smaller states and territories. As the assessments take place on a three yearly cycle and only one sample assessment takes place in any given year, your child will not be selected to participate in the same NAP sample assessment domain.
If you don’t want your child to participate in the NAP sample assessments
If you don’t want your child to participate in the sample assessment they may be withdrawn at your request in liaison with the selected school. ACARA encourages maximum participation by students in classes that are selected to participate in the sample assessments.
The data collected from the sample assessments provide an accurate picture of the performance of students in each state and territory in these areas. Data collated and reported are at a high level with results of different subgroups (for example, Indigenous, gender, geographic location, etc.) reported, however no individual schools or students are identified in these reports. It is anticipated that teachers will be able to reflect on this information to enhance teaching and monitoring programs in Australian schools.
If you do want your child to participate but the sample assessment is not taking place at your child’s school
Schools selected to participate in the NAP sample assessments are chosen via a scientific representative selection process. Specific school and student requests cannot be met outside of this selection process.