Everything Parents Need to Know About NAPLAN 2026

NAPLAN is the National Assessment Programme – Literacy and Numeracy. It is part of the educational system and targets children in years 3, 5, 7, and 9. In 2026, NAPLAN will take place from Wednesday, March 11 to Monday, March 23, with writing typically scheduled on the first day of testing.

While NAPLAN is not about passing or failing, it plays an important role in measuring a student’s literacy and numeracy development — and identifying areas where additional support may be helpful.

“Assessment is about teachers and not students," said Deepa Bhussh, an inspiring educator and curriculum designer.

What Does NAPLAN Test?

NAPLAN assesses foundational skills in:

Literacy

Writing (persuasive or narrative response to a prompt)
Reading comprehension
Spelling, grammar and punctuation

Numeracy

Number and algebra
Measurement and geometry
Statistics and probability

The test is adaptive and delivered online for most year levels, adjusting difficulty as students respond.

Is NAPLAN Something Students Should Study For?

NAPLAN is designed to assess what students have already learned through school.

However, structured preparation can help students:

Become familiar with the format
Improve writing structure
Strengthen multi-step problem-solving
Build confidence under timed conditions

The goal is not to cram, it’s to ensure students feel prepared and calm.

With Only Weeks Before NAPLAN 2026, What Should Parents Focus On?

With NAPLAN beginning March 11, the most effective preparation in the final weeks includes:

Practising structured writing responses (especially persuasive writing)
Reviewing grammar and punctuation patterns
Strengthening reading comprehension strategies
Working through multi-step numeracy questions
Timed practice to build confidence

Targeted support in these areas can make a meaningful difference, especially for students who may feel uncertain.

How are these Results Used?

Schools use NAPLAN results to:

Identify learning gaps
Adjust teaching strategies
Monitor progress over time

Parents can use the results as:

A conversation starter about strengths and challenges
A guide for additional support if needed

How Parents Can Support Their Child

At home, parents can:

Keep routines calm and consistent
Reassure children that NAPLAN is not about failure
Encourage steady practice instead of pressure
Ensure children are comfortable with the online format

NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills. It is not rote learning or memorising for a battery of tests. Instead, it is an established form of assessment and provides keys to progress across the board within the national educational programme.