NAPLAN 2026: Key Dates & Student Guide

NAPLAN 2026: Key Dates & Student Guide

Everything parents and students need to know about NAPLAN 2026, including dates, what’s tested and how to prepare with NAPLAN practice tests.

NAPLAN 2026 Test Window & Important Dates

Check the official NAPLAN 2026 schedule for Years 3, 5, 7 & 9 and key milestones to plan your child's preparation effectively.

Event	Date 2026	Notes
Official NAPLAN Test Window	11–23 March 2026	All tests conducted in this period
Practice Tests Availability	From Term 4, 2025	Sample papers and interactive NAPLAN practice tests online
Results Delivery	July–August 2026	Schools distribute Individual Student Reports (ISR)
Writing Test	First week of window	Narrative or Persuasive prompts for Years 3–9
Reading, Language Conventions & Numeracy	Following days within window	Structured across remaining days; practice with NAPLAN Year 3–9 practice test

NAPLAN 2026 Test Window & Schedule (Years 3, 5, 7 & 9)

In 2026, NAPLAN will be conducted for all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 during a nine‑day official test window. The table below summarises the dates, test domains, and key notes for each year level. Use this schedule to plan NAPLAN practice tests effectively.

Students who are absent when their class participates in the tests can sit catch-up tests later in the test window.

Test Day / Domain	Date	Years & Notes
Writing	Wednesday, 11 March 2026	Years 3, 5, 7 & 9. Writing is the first test for all years. Year 3 is paper-based; other years follow school scheduling.
Reading	Thursday, 12 March 2026 – Monday, 16 March 2026	All year levels complete Reading tests. Schools can schedule within the window to accommodate absentees.
Conventions of Language (Spelling, Grammar & Punctuation)	Tuesday, 17 March 2026 – Friday, 20 March 2026	Students in Years 3, 5, 7 & 9. Focuses on spelling, punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure.
Numeracy	Monday, 16 March 2026 – Monday, 23 March 2026	Years 3, 5, 7 & 9. Covers number, algebra, measurement, geometry, statistics, and probability. Catch-up tests included within window.
Catch-Up / Absentee Testing Deadline	Monday, 23 March 2026	All students must complete any missed tests by this date. Schools can schedule within the test window to ensure all students participate.
School Practice Test Period Begins	Term 4, 2025	Schools can use practice tests for Years 3, 5, 7 & 9 to familiarise students with NAPLAN format and question types before 2026.

The above test window ensures that all domains are covered for Years 3, 5, 7 & 9. Students can also access NAPLAN practice tests to improve confidence and track progress before the official 2026 assessment.

What is NAPLAN?

NAPLAN stands for the National Assessment Program — Literacy and Numeracy. It is a national assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 that measures foundational literacy and numeracy skills such as writing, reading, spelling, grammar and numeracy.

The aim of NAPLAN is to help parents, teachers and schools understand how students are progressing and identify areas that may need targeted support. It is not designed as a pass/fail test but to provide useful insights into learning growth.

What NAPLAN Tests Assess

• Writing: Students respond to an assigned prompt — narrative or persuasive — to assess written communication skills.
• Reading: Comprehension of imaginative, informative and persuasive texts.
• Conventions of Language: Spelling, grammar and punctuation knowledge in context.
• Numeracy: Mathematical reasoning, problem-solving and numeracy knowledge aligned with the Australian Curriculum.

Familiarity with these areas through structured:
NAPLAN practice tests or
NAPLAN Year 3–9 practice test formats can reduce test anxiety and help students understand the types of questions they will encounter.

Why NAPLAN Matters for Students

NAPLAN provides a benchmark of literacy and numeracy skills that are essential for progression through school and beyond. Understanding performance trends helps families and educators make informed decisions about learning priorities and focus areas.

Using regular practice and revision can help students develop stronger foundation skills rather than relying on short-term memorisation. Completing past papers and practice questions helps students become comfortable with question styles and improves confidence.

How to Prepare for NAPLAN 2026

Effective preparation begins well before the test window. Focus on building reading fluency, writing confidence, grammar fluency and numeracy reasoning. Practise with sample questions and progressively challenging tests to strengthen weak areas.

• Start early with topic-wise practice in reading and numeracy
• Use full-length NAPLAN practice tests to build stamina
• Review answers and explanations to understand mistakes
• Incorporate daily reading and real-life maths practice

Get Started with Practice

Exploring high-quality practice tests helps students build familiarity with NAPLAN question formats while strengthening core literacy and numeracy skills — the foundation of successful performance on test day.

Begin with our NAPLAN practice tests hub and access structured resources designed to support Australian students through 2026 and beyond.