Every year about 1.2 million Australian studentsĀ take the NAPLAN.Ā
The NAPLAN results matter because they can impact your child's future. If you're wondering whether or not NAPLAN test scores will affect your ability to get into a selective school or scholarship in a private school, the short answer is yes - NAPLAN results are one of the factors that schools consider when making admissions decisions.
Don't stress, though - there are plenty of things you can do to help prepare for NAPLAN! Keep reading for some helpful tips and key considerations.
What is NAPLAN?
NAPLAN is an annual National Assessment Program in Australia that tests students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 in reading, writing, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy. NAPLAN test results are used to measure student progress and identify areas of improvement for schools, teachers and students. NAPLAN data is also used to compare the performance of different schools across Australia.
NAPLAN tests are generally sat in early March each year. The testing lasts for two hours and forty minutes in total and is taken over the course of two days.
What is on the NAPLAN Test?
TheĀ NAPLAN testĀ covers four main domains:
- Reading
- Writing
- Language Conventions (Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling)
- Numeracy
Each domain is further broken down into sub-domains. For example, the reading domain includes questions on literal comprehension, inferential comprehension and text structure and organisation. The tests are designed to assess a student's skills and knowledge in each domain, as well as their ability to apply this learning in new and unfamiliar contexts. Tests are designed to represent the average level of comprehension students in that particular year level should be at. In that way, they form a benchmark against which future progress can be measured.
Is NAPLAN Compulsory?
NAPLAN is not compulsory, and students will not be penalised if they do not participate. NAPLAN has, in fact, been heavily debated in recent years, with some parents and educators arguing that the tests are too high-stakes and put undue pressure on students.
While NAPLAN is not compulsory, it is highly encouraged that all students sit the test. NAPLAN results can be used as a diagnostic tool to identify areas of strengths and weaknesses and to help direct future learning. Also, some schools ask for NAPLAN score for admission. Please note NAPLAN score is one of the document required by the private school for offering a scholarship to the student.
Why do NAPLAN Results Matter?
NAPLAN results are one of the factors that schools consider when making admissions decisions for selective high schools. In some cases, NAPLAN scores may be used as a tie-breaker between students who have achieved similar score in the HAST or Scholarship test.
NAPLAN results are also used to identify areas of improvement for schools, teachers and students. NAPLAN data is used to compare the performance of different schools across Australia and can be a valuable tool in identifying areas where additional support may be required. In many instances, NAPLAN can be used to identify when students are perhaps lacking the skills they need to succeed and can help to direct future learning.
How to Prepare for NAPLAN?
There are several things you can do to help prepare for NAPLAN.
Here are some key tips.
Read
Encourage your child to read as much as possible in the lead-up to NAPLAN. This will not only help improve their reading comprehension skills but will also give them confidence and familiarity with the types of texts they will encounter on the test. Reading can also encourage an enjoyment of learning, which is an important life skill.
Practice Writing
Writing is a complex task that involves many different skills. In the lead-up to NAPLAN, encourage your child to write as often as possible. This could be in the form of stories, journals, lists or letters. Regular writing will help improve your child's spelling, grammar and punctuation, as well as their ability to organise their thoughts and communicate clearly.
Do NAPLAN-style Questions
Familiarity breeds confidence. In the weeks leading up to NAPLAN, do some NAPLAN-style questions with your child. This will help them become more familiar with the types of questions they will encounter on the test and make them feel more comfortable on test day.
You can find NAPLAN-style questions in most NAPLAN preparation books, as well as online. There are a number of NAPLANĀ previous testsĀ available. These can be a great way to familiarise your child with the test format and question types.Ā
Stay on Top of Attendance
This may go without saying, but ensure your child is attending school regularly (and not just in the lead-up to NAPLAN). NAPLAN is a test of what has been taught in class, so it's important your child is there to learn the material.
Regular attendance will also help your child feel more comfortable and confident on test day.
Geta Good Night's Sleep & Remember Not To Stress
On the night before NAPLAN, make sure your child gets a good night's sleep. A goodnight's sleep will help them feel calm and rested on test day and enable them to do their best.
Most importantly, don't stress! NAPLAN is just one measure of your child's progress at the end of the day. Encourage your child to do their best, but remind them that it is not the be-all and end-all.
NAPLAN Preparation Services Available
Thankfully, there are a plethora of resources available to help your child get NAPLAN ready. NotesEdu offers NAPLAN preparation exams for all year levels, designed to increase your child's chances of achieving top band NAPLAN results.
OurNAPLAN exams cover all major sections of the test, providing students with the skills and strategies they need to succeed.
Get started online today with any of our NAPLAN tests. You can browse ourĀ online testsĀ right here.
Disclaimer: Our NAPLAN product is not officially endorsed by the NAPLAN program and is crafted by NotesEdu Team, independently of ACARA. The information provided here in is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice, endorsement, or guarantee. NotesEdu is not responsible for any inaccuracies, effectiveness of the strategies mentioned, or any consequences resulting from the use of this information. Your reliance on the information and the results obtained are solely at your own risk.
