Common NAPLAN Mistakes Students Make and How to Avoid Them

NAPLAN can feel stressful when students focus too much on getting every answer right. In many cases, small mistakes cause more problems than difficult questions. Misreading a question, rushing through a section, forgetting to check an answer, or spending too long on one task can affect the final result.

I decided to write this after noticing how often students and parents focus on what to study for NAPLAN, but overlook how they actually approach the test. I checked the current information from the National Assessment Program and looked at the skills assessed across reading, writing, conventions of language and numeracy.

This guide is mainly for primary and secondary students preparing for NAPLAN, as well as parents who want to help their children build better test habits.

What Does NAPLAN Actually Assess?

NAPLAN assesses four areas: writing, reading, conventions of language, and numeracy. The questions are based on skills from the Australian Curriculum. The format can include multiple-choice, short-answer and technology-enhanced questions.

This means preparation should cover more than memorising formulas or completing practice papers. Students also need to understand how to read instructions, manage their time and check their work.

Here are some common mistakes to watch for.

Mistake 1: Rushing Through the Questions

One of the most common problems is answering too quickly.

Students may see a familiar question and immediately select an answer without reading every part. This can lead to simple errors, especially when a question includes words such as “not,” “most likely,” “best,” or “except.”

Try this instead:

• Read the entire question before answering.
• Underline or mentally identify the key instruction.
• Check what the question is actually asking.
• For numeracy questions, write down important information before calculating if needed.
• A few extra seconds spent understanding the question can prevent an avoidable mistake.

Mistake 2: Ignoring the Writing Prompt

Students sometimes start writing before they fully understand the prompt.

NAPLAN writing requires students to respond to a given prompt using either narrative or persuasive writing. The text type is revealed on the day, and students do not choose between the two.

A student may have strong writing skills but still lose marks if the response does not properly address the task.

Before writing, think about:

• What is the prompt asking?
• Who is the intended audience?
• Is the task narrative or persuasive?
• What is the main idea?
• What structure will suit the response?

Students should also leave time to reread their work for spelling, punctuation, sentence structure and clarity. These areas are part of the writing assessment.

Mistake 3: Spending Too Long on One Question

Getting stuck on one difficult question can waste valuable time.

If you cannot solve a question after a reasonable attempt, move forward when the test allows you to do so. You can then use the remaining time for other questions or checking.

Time limits vary by year level. For example, the 2026 NAPLAN test window lists 45 minutes for Year 3 reading, 50 minutes for Year 5 reading, and 65 minutes for Years 7 and 9 reading. Numeracy has similar differences between year levels.

Practising under timed conditions can help students understand how quickly they need to work.

Mistake 4: Not Checking Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation

Students often focus heavily on reading and numeracy while giving less attention to conventions of language.

NAPLAN assesses spelling, grammar and punctuation as part of the conventions of language test.

Common errors include:

• Missing full stops or capital letters.
• Incorrect apostrophes.
• Confusing similar words.
• Incorrect verb tense.
• Spelling familiar words incorrectly.
• Poor sentence structure.

A good practice method is to keep a personal mistake list. If a student repeatedly makes the same five errors, those errors should become part of their weekly practice.

Mistake 5: Guessing Without Reading Carefully

Guessing can sometimes be necessary, but guessing too early is a problem.

Students should first eliminate answers that are clearly incorrect. In reading, they should return to the passage and find evidence instead of choosing an answer based on what “sounds right.”

NAPLAN reading assesses a student’s ability to make meaning from written texts.

A useful habit is to ask, “Where did I find this answer in the text?”

If the student cannot explain why an answer is correct, they should reconsider it.

Mistake 6: Making Calculation Errors in Numeracy

A student can understand a maths concept and still lose marks because of a basic calculation error.

For example, they may:

• Copy a number incorrectly.
• Forget a unit.
• Add or subtract incorrectly.
• Use the wrong operation.
• Skip a step in a multi-step problem.

In numeracy, students are assessed on mathematical knowledge, application, problem-solving and reasoning.

Students should practise showing their working during preparation, even when the final test format does not always require it. This makes it easier to identify where an error happened.

For Years 7 and 9, students should also understand when calculator use is allowed. The numeracy test begins with a non-calculator section, and students cannot return to that section once they move to the calculator section.

Mistake 7: Not Practising the Online Test Format

Knowing the content is important, but students should also be comfortable with the testing platform.

For Years 5, 7 and 9, NAPLAN tests are completed online. The official demonstration site allows students to become familiar with question types and available tools.

Students should practise:

• Moving between questions.
• Using available online tools.
• Typing longer answers.
• Reading questions on screen.
• Understanding the timer.
• Using the calculator or other tools when permitted.

This can reduce unnecessary stress on test day.

Mistake 8: Panicking When a Question Looks Difficult

A difficult question does not automatically mean the student is doing badly.

NAPLAN uses tailored testing, meaning the difficulty of questions can change depending on a student’s responses. Results consider both the number of questions answered correctly and the difficulty of the questions assigned.

Students should therefore avoid assuming that one difficult question means they have failed.

Take a breath. Read the question again. Break it into smaller parts. Then decide what information you already know.

A Simple NAPLAN Mistake-Checking Routine

Students can use this routine during practice:

1. Read the question carefully.
2. Identify exactly what it asks.
3. Remove clearly incorrect answers.
4. Solve or respond using the required skill.
5. Check the answer if time allows.
6. Move on instead of getting stuck.

For writing, add one more step: reread the complete response and check spelling, punctuation, paragraphs and whether the response actually answers the prompt.

How Parents Can Help

Parents do not need to turn every evening into NAPLAN practice.

Instead, focus on regular habits. Ask your child to explain how they reached an answer rather than only asking whether it is correct.

You can also:

1. Review repeated mistakes.
2. Use short timed activities.
3. Encourage regular reading.
4. Practise mental maths.
5. Ask your child to explain unfamiliar words.
6. Use official NAPLAN sample questions.
7. Help them build a calm test routine.

The official NAPLAN site also provides a public demonstration site and sample materials that students can use to become familiar with the assessment format.

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