Welcome to the final edition of NAPLAN Ready: A Parent's Guide. NAPLAN testing begins tomorrow, Wednesday, 11 March. Here are some final reminders to help your child feel prepared and confident.
Tonight and Tomorrow Morning
Tonight's Checklist
Prepare for success:
- Ensure your child gets to bed at a reasonable time
- Lay out school clothes and materials
- Pack school bag with everything needed
- Prepare tomorrow's lunch and snacks
- Have a calm, relaxed evening at home
Avoid:
- Late-night cramming or last-minute practice
- Discussing NAPLAN anxieties extensively
- Screen time right before bed
- Stressful or overstimulating activities
Tomorrow Morning
Set your child up for success:
- Wake up with enough time to avoid rushing
- Prepare a nutritious, balanced breakfast
- Include protein and complex carbohydrates for sustained energy
- Ensure your child drinks water
- Maintain a calm, positive atmosphere
Before leaving for school:
- Check your child has everything they need
- Offer encouraging words
- Remind them to simply do their best
- Keep goodbyes brief and positive
Key Reminders for Test Day
Students Cannot "Fail" NAPLAN
This is perhaps the most important thing to remember and share with your child.
NAPLAN is not that type of test. It's designed to show where students are in their learning journey, not to pass or fail them. There are no:
- Pass marks to achieve
- Minimum scores required
- Negative consequences for lower results
- Rankings between students
Encourage your child to simply try their best and show what they know.
Challenging Questions Are Completely Normal
If your child finds questions difficult during the test, this is completely normal and expected.
Why? The tests adapt to each student's ability, presenting more challenging questions to students who are performing well.
What this means:
- Difficult questions might indicate your child is on a more complex pathway
- More complex pathways can lead to higher scores
- Your child shouldn't be discouraged by challenging questions
- They should keep trying their best on each question
Remind your child: Everyone experiences different questions, and that's by design.
What Happens During Testing
Help your child feel prepared by knowing what to expect:
Supervision and Support:
- Tests are supervised by teachers
- Students can ask technical questions about using the platform
- Students cannot ask questions about test content
- Help is available if there are technical issues
Technology:
- All student responses are automatically saved
- Progress is saved continuously
- If a device stops working, students can continue on another device
- No work is lost if there are technical problems
Materials:
- Students can use scrap paper for working out answers
- This paper is collected after each test
- Students cannot use phones, calculators (except where provided), or unauthorised materials
Timing:
- Each test has a set time limit
- Students can work at their own pace within that time
- They can review and change answers (within the same section)
- There are clear indicators of time remaining
After the Tests
Immediately After Testing
Once testing is complete, talk with your child about their experience, but try to keep the focus positive.
Do:
- Ask how they felt during the tests
- Acknowledge their effort
- Praise them for trying their best
- Celebrate that it's complete
Don't:
- Ask detailed questions about specific test content
- Express disappointment or concern
- Compare their experience to other students
- Create anxiety about results
Why avoid detailed questions? Students may not recall everything clearly, and detailed questioning can create unnecessary stress. The tests are designed so students see different questions, making comparisons unhelpful.
In the Following Days
Maintain normalcy:
- Return to regular routines
- Focus on ongoing classroom learning
- Don't dwell on the tests
- Keep perspective on NAPLAN as one small part of their education
When Results Arrive
Results will be provided by your child's school later in the year (typically Term 3). These reports, combined with your child's ongoing classroom assessments, will give you a comprehensive picture of their learning progress.
When results arrive:
- Review them calmly with your child
- Schedule a conversation with their teacher
- Focus on growth and development areas
- Remember NAPLAN is just one measure of learning
If You Have Questions
During Test Week
For questions during test week:
- Contact your child's school first
- Speak with the NAPLAN coordinator if needed
- Ask about catch-up arrangements if your child is absent
General NAPLAN Information
For general information:
A Final Word of Encouragement
NAPLAN provides valuable information about student learning, but it's just one measure among many.
Remember:
- Your child's teachers work with them every day
- They have the most complete picture of educational progress and development
- NAPLAN is a snapshot, not the full picture
- Growth happens over time, not in a single test
Your role: Help your child approach NAPLAN with confidence, knowing they're simply being asked to show what they know and can do. Your calm, supportive presence is the best preparation they can have.
Final Thoughts
You've now completed our five-week NAPLAN Ready: A Parent's Guide series. You're well-informed about:
- What NAPLAN is and what it assesses
- How to support your child's preparation
- Understanding results and proficiency standards
- The test schedule and what to expect
- Final tips for test day
We wish all students the very best for the week ahead. Approach it with confidence, stay calm, and remember—you've got this!
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