NAPLAN

Practice Test and Past Papers

Find our list of the best free NAPLAN Practice Tests and Past Papers below. Select your year level: 

Year 3 NAPLAN
Year 5 NAPLAN
Year 7 NAPLAN
Year 9 NAPLAN

Learn more about our prep program!

What is NAPLAN?

The National Assessment Program — Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a nation-wide, standardised test for children in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 which covers writing, spelling, grammar, reading and numeracy skills.

For more answers to frequently asked NAPLAN questions and to discover what's tested in NAPLAN click here.

 

When is NAPLAN 2024?

NAPLAN tests are taking place earlier in the year between March 13-25, in 2024.

Discover key dates for NAPLAN and a breakdown of the test timetables here.


NAPLAN 2023 took place between March 15-27.

Why is it important?

NAPLAN is used by governments, schools, teachers and education facilities to determine whether Australian students have the foundational literacy and numeracy skills to aid them in further education. It provides an indication of how students are performing in schools and in which areas they could improve. It also offers insight into the skills students are struggling with, and the skills which need further support.

Although there are questions surrounding the benefits of NAPLAN, it continues to be a standard part of all schools. A lack of fundamental knowledge of basic literacy and numeracy skills can prevent students from understanding and learning complex content as they progress through their education. This can result in knowledge gaps and more serious struggles, especially in senior years. Providing the appropriate resources and assets is essential, not only in helping students prepare for NAPLAN, but also helping them gain lifelong literacy and numeracy skills.

 

How to help your child prepare for NAPLAN

A common source of anxiety among parents is exactly how (and how much) to prepare their child for NAPLAN. Preparing a child for NAPLAN is different to preparing them for other assessments or tests. This is because NAPLAN examines a student’s reading, writing, spelling and numeracy abilities. These core skills aren’t something that can be memorised or “crammed for” — they need to be developed over time.

Despite this, there are some simple ways to build your child’s confidence in their own abilities, and prepare them for the unique style of NAPLAN questions. This includes completing past papers and practice tests, as well as NAPLAN programs which can identify and target knowledge gaps. 

 

Why our NAPLAN programs are more effective than practice alone

If your child is missing core skills, or if they’re confused about question structure, all the practice questions in the world won’t help them arrive at the right answer. They might need personalised support — someone to answer questions and explain things at their pace.

At Sam’s, our experienced Education Team have developed programs that provide students with the guidance they need for NAPLAN tests.

We structure the lessons as a series of tutor-led sessions, where theory, examples and exam strategies are covered in a fun and friendly way. Between sessions, students tackle practice questions to consolidate their understanding. These are then reviewed with feedback provided.

The idea behind these programs is to improve your child’s numeracy and literacy skills by building on their understanding of core knowledge, rather than providing guides to help them rote learn. If a student struggles with a certain topic, Sam’s tutors are available to explain the content until they ‘get it’. With access to practice tests and past papers, NAPLAN students are able to build on their literacy and numeracy skills and target specific areas for extra attention.

 

NAPLAN Practice Tests and Past Papers

Practice tests and past papers are helpful resources which can help prepare your child for NAPLAN by familiarising them with the structure of the tests and allow them to recognise the style of questions asked. This prep provides students with the confidence they need to tackle each paper.

Below we've compiled a list of links to the best free NAPLAN practice tests, past papers and answers available for each year level. We also offer practice tests, questions and answers as part of their NAPLAN prep programs.

 

NAPLAN Practice Tests Year 3

 

ACARA

Acara is the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority and has gathered NAPLAN past papers together as a resource for students to study for the upcoming NAPLAN tests. ACARA does not provide access to the NAPLAN tests after 2016.

2016 2015 2014 2013 Language ConventionsLanguage ConventionsLanguage ConventionsLanguage ConventionsNumeracyNumeracyNumeracyNumeracyWriting PromptWriting PromptWriting PromptWriting PromptWritingWritingWritingWritingReading MagazineReading MagazineReading Magazine Reading MagazineReading Reading Reading Reading

 

All ACARA Past NAPLAN Practice Papers
2012-2016
2008-2011

National Assessment Program

The National Assessment Program (NAP) is a resource made to help students prepare for the upcoming NAPLAN tests. With an abundance of example tests and answers, students have a wide range of study materials.

Year 3 Example TestsMarking

Reading
Reading Magazine
Language Conventions
Numeracy
Writing Prompt 1
Writing Prompt 2

Reading Answers
Language Conventions Answers
Numeracy Answers

QCCA

The Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority provides a range of resources to help students build upon their literacy and numeracy skills, including NAPLAN practice questions and answers.

Year 3 Test sets Language conventions, Writing, Reading and Numeracy

NumeracySpellingGrammar and Punctuation

Year 3A
Year 3B

Year 3A
Year 3B

Year 3A
Year 3B

 

NAPLAN Practice Tests Year 5

 

ACARA

ACARA is the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority and has gathered NAPLAN past papers together as a resource for students to study for the upcoming NAPLAN tests. ACARA does not provide access to the NAPLAN tests after 2016.

2016201520142013Language ConventionsLanguage ConventionsLanguage ConventionsLanguage ConventionsNumeracyNumeracyNumeracyNumeracyWriting PromptWriting PromptWriting PromptWriting PromptWritingWritingWritingWritingReading MagazineReading MagazineReading MagazineReading MagazineReadingReadingReadingReading

 

All ACARA Past NAPLAN Practice Papers
2012-2016
2008-2011

National Assessment Program

The National Assessment Program (NAP) is a resource made to help students prepare for the upcoming NAPLAN tests. With an abundance of example tests and answers, students have a wide range of study materials.

Year 5 Example TestsMarking

Reading
Reading Magazine
Language Conventions
Numeracy
Writing Prompt 1
Writing Prompt 2

Reading Answers
Language Conventions Answers
Numeracy Answers

QCAA

The Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority provides a range of resources to help students build upon their literacy and numeracy skills, including NAPLAN practice questions and answers.

Year 5 Test SetsLanguage conventionsWritingReadingNumeracy

Smeebu

Smeebu offers a range of different NAPLAN practice tests. Though not official tests, these online resources are good study materials for students preparing for the upcoming NAPLAN tests. http://www.smeebu.com/

http://www.smeebu.com/old

NumeracySpellingGrammar and Punctuation

Year 5A
Year 5B

Year 5A
Year 5B

Year 5A
Year 5B

 

NAPLAN Practice Tests Year 7

 

ACARA

ACARA is the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority and has gathered NAPLAN past papers together as a resource for students to study for the upcoming NAPLAN tests. ACARA does not provide access to the NAPLAN tests after 2016.

2016201520142013Language ConventionsLanguage ConventionsLanguage ConventionsLanguage ConventionsNumeracy (Calc)Numeracy (Calc)Numeracy (Calc)Numeracy (Calc)Numeracy (Non Calc)Numeracy (Non Calc)Numeracy (Non Calc)Numeracy (Non Calc)Writing PromptWriting PromptWriting PromptWriting PromptWritingWritingWritingWritingReading MagazineReading MagazineReading MagazineReading MagazineReadingReadingReadingReading

 

All ACARA Past NAPLAN Practice Papers
2012-2016
2008-2011

National Assessment Program

The National Assessment Program (NAP) is a resource made to help students prepare for the upcoming NAPLAN tests. With an abundance of example tests and answers, students have a wide range of study materials.

Example TestsMarking

Reading
Reading Magazine
Language Conventions
Numeracy (Calc)
Numeracy (Non Calc)
Writing Prompt 1
Writing Prompt 2

Reading Answers
Language Conventions Answers
Numeracy Answers

QCAA

The Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority provides a range of resources to help students build upon their literacy and numeracy skills, including NAPLAN practice questions and answers.

Year 7 Test SetsLanguage conventionsWritingReadingNumeracy

NumeracySpellingGrammar and Punctuation

Year 7A
Year 7B

Year 7A
Year 7B

Year 7A
Year 7B

Sam’s Tutoring NAPLAN Program

We offer NAPLAN prep programs designed to improve students core numeracy and literacy skills. Through tutor-led sessions with access to NAPLAN practice questions and feedback, students can build their confidence before the tests in May.

 

NAPLAN Practice Tests Year 9

 

ACARA

ACARA is the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority and has gathered NAPLAN past papers together as a resource for students to study for the upcoming NAPLAN tests. ACARA does not provide access to the NAPLAN tests after 2016.

2016 2015 2014 2013Language ConventionsLanguage ConventionsLanguage ConventionsLanguage ConventionsNumeracy (Calc)Numeracy (Calc)Numeracy (Calc)Numeracy (Calc)Numeracy (Non Calc)Numeracy (Non Calc)Numeracy (Non Calc)Numeracy (Non Calc)Writing PromptWriting PromptWriting PromptWriting PromptWritingWritingWritingWritingReading MagazineReading MagazineReading MagazineReading MagazineReadingReadingReadingReading

 

All ACARA Past NAPLAN Practice Papers
2012-2016
2008-2011

National Assessment Program

The National Assessment Program (NAP) is a resource made to help students prepare for the upcoming NAPLAN tests. With an abundance of example tests and answers, students have a wide range of study materials.

Year 9 Example TestsMarking

Reading
Reading Magazine
Language Conventions
Numeracy (Calc)
Numeracy (Non Calc)
Writing Prompt 1
Writing Prompt 2

Reading Answers
Language Conventions Answers
Numeracy Answers

QCAA

The Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority provides a range of resources to help students build upon their literacy and numeracy skills, including NAPLAN practice questions and answers.

Year 9 Test Sets Language conventions, Writing, Reading and Numeracy

Numeracy Spelling Grammar and Punctuation

Year 9A
Year 9B

Year 9A
Year 9B

Year 9A
Year 9B

Sam’s Tutoring offers NAPLAN prep programs designed to improve students core numeracy and literacy skills. Through tutor-led sessions with access to NAPLAN practice questions and feedback, students can build their confidence before the tests in May.

Tips for NAPLAN success

NAPLAN success cannot be achieved overnight. It’s a process of working hard, paying attention in class, and building confidence under exam conditions. Below are a some tips that will help your child prepare for NAPLAN.

  1. Practice
    Familiarise yourself and your child with the unique question style of NAPLAN. This includes practising fill-in-the-blank and multiple-choice questions, and crafting succinct short answer responses in the older years.

  2. Ask for help

    It’s important to ask for help from a teacher, parent or tutor if you feel that your child is struggling. One-to-one tutoring can offer the personalised support your child needs in order to build confidence and fill knowledge gaps leading up to NAPLAN.

  3. Help your child relax
    NAPLAN isn’t the be-all and end-all and it’s important to maintain perspective throughout the prep process. Your child’s results are a snapshot of their skills at a certain moment in time.

  4. Ensure your child gets enough sleep

    It’s important that your child gets enough sleep to power through each paper, especially on Day One of NAPLAN which sees them complete two literacy tests. An early night and clear head will also help to minimise anxiety.

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