NAPLAN preparation does not need to mean spending hours completing practice papers. The better approach is to understand what the tests assess, practise different question types, review mistakes, and build confidence with timed work.
I decided to write this guide after seeing parents ask how much NAPLAN practice their children actually need. There is a lot of advice online, but some of it focuses too heavily on scores and repetitive worksheets. I checked information from the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, along with common practice approaches used in Australian schools, to put together practical tips for students and parents.
This guide is for primary and secondary students preparing for NAPLAN, as well as parents who want a simple way to support practice at home.
Table of Contents
Understand What NAPLAN Tests
NAPLAN assesses skills across four areas:
- Reading
- Writing
- Language conventions
- Numeracy
Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in NAPLAN.
The test is designed to assess literacy and numeracy skills that students have developed through their schooling. It is not a test of everything a student has learned in class.
Start by understanding the type of questions your child may encounter. This gives you a clearer idea of which skills need practice.
Start With a Practice Test
Before creating a study schedule, complete a practice test or sample questions.
The first attempt is useful as a baseline.
Look for:
- Questions answered incorrectly
- Questions where the student guessed
- Topics that caused confusion
- Careless mistakes
- Questions that took too long
For example, a student might understand multiplication but struggle when multiplication appears inside a multi-step word problem. That tells you the problem may be reading and applying information rather than basic multiplication.
Practise Reading With Different Texts
Reading practice should include more than answering multiple-choice questions.
Give your child different types of texts, such as:
- Stories
- Articles
- Information texts
- Instructions
- Advertisements
- Reports
After reading, ask questions about the main idea, supporting details, meaning of words, and information that can be inferred from the text.
Encourage your child to go back to the passage when answering. They should look for evidence instead of choosing an answer based only on what sounds correct.
Improve Writing Through Planning
NAPLAN writing requires students to respond to a writing prompt.
Students should practise generating ideas quickly and organising them before they begin writing.
A simple planning method is:
- Identify the topic.
- Decide what you want to say.
- Choose your main points.
- Organise the beginning, middle and ending.
- Check the response after writing.
Do not make every practice session about writing a perfect response. Practise planning, paragraph structure, vocabulary, sentence construction and editing separately too.
Work on Language Conventions
Language conventions include spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Short practice sessions can help students identify recurring errors.
For example, review:
- Full stops and commas
- Capital letters
- Sentence structure
- Verb agreement
- Common spelling patterns
- Apostrophes
- Correct word choices
Keep a record of repeated mistakes. If a student regularly makes the same error, practise that specific skill instead of completing another full paper.
Strengthen Numeracy Skills
NAPLAN numeracy questions can involve calculations, measurement, data, patterns, geometry and problem-solving.
Do not focus only on memorising procedures.
Ask your child to explain how they reached an answer.
Useful practice can include:
- Mental calculations
- Fractions and decimals
- Percentages
- Measurement
- Shapes and angles
- Patterns
- Tables and graphs
- Word problems
- Money and time
When a question is difficult, break it into smaller steps. This helps students understand what the question is actually asking.
Use Timed Practice Gradually
Timing can become difficult if students only practise without limits.
Start with untimed questions while learning a new concept. Once the student becomes comfortable, introduce short time limits.
For example, give 10 questions and set a reasonable time based on the student’s level. Review the answers afterwards.
The goal is not to rush. Students should learn when to keep working and when to move on from a question that is taking too long.
Review Mistakes Properly
Getting an answer wrong is useful if the student understands why.
After each practice session, classify mistakes.
Was it:
- A knowledge gap?
- A misunderstanding of the question?
- A calculation error?
- A spelling or grammar error?
- A rushed decision?
- A timing problem?
Then practise the relevant skill.
Simply completing 100 more questions will not necessarily fix the problem if the student does not understand why the original answer was wrong.
Create a Short Weekly Routine
NAPLAN practice can fit into a normal weekly schedule.
For example:
Monday: 20 minutes of reading practice.
Tuesday: 20 minutes of numeracy.
Wednesday: 20 minutes of language conventions.
Thursday: 20 minutes of writing or planning.
Friday: Review mistakes from the week.
Weekend: One longer mixed practice session if needed.
Adjust the routine based on your child’s schoolwork and individual needs.
Avoid Last-Minute Cramming
Trying to complete large amounts of practice immediately before NAPLAN can create unnecessary pressure.
A better approach is regular practice over several weeks.
Make sure your child also gets enough sleep, eats normally, and has everything they need for the test day.
Practice should build familiarity and confidence. It should not become a source of constant stress.
Support Your Child Without Focusing Only on Scores
NAPLAN results can provide information about a student’s literacy and numeracy achievement. However, one test does not describe every aspect of a student’s ability.
Ask questions such as:
- What type of question did you find difficult?
- What did you learn from the practice?
- Which skill should we work on next?
- Did you have enough time?
This keeps the focus on learning and improvement.
FAQs
How often should my child practise for NAPLAN?
Short, regular sessions are usually more practical than long daily sessions. Around 20 to 30 minutes of focused practice a few times a week can be a useful starting point, depending on the student’s needs.
When should students start NAPLAN practice?
There is no single required starting date. Beginning several weeks before the test gives students time to identify gaps, practise question types and become comfortable with timed work.
Are NAPLAN practice tests useful?
Yes, when students review their mistakes afterwards. Practice tests can help students understand question formats, identify weaknesses and improve time management.
Should parents help children with NAPLAN practice?
Yes. Parents can help by providing practice opportunities, discussing mistakes and encouraging a balanced routine. They do not need to teach every question themselves. A tutor or teacher can provide targeted support when a student has persistent difficulties.
