The QCAA coordinates the administration of preparation activities and resources to enable schools and students to be ready for NAPLAN testing.
Practice tests
Practice tests are available for students and schools participating in NAPLAN. They are the primary opportunity for familiarisation of students and test administrators with the test format, question types and online testing experience prior to NAPLAN testing in March. These tests also support schools with their technical readiness checks.
Practice tests are available in the Training and Practice environment of the Online National Assessment Platform, and students can complete them using the latest locked-down browser.
Schools use the Test administration handbook for practice tests to administer the practice test. Other resources required for administering the practice tests are located on the support materials page.
Students will also have the opportunity to be familiarised with the branching messages that occur between testlets in the practice test.
ACARA has created a resource to support schools in familiarising students with branching messages which can be found on the NAPLAN public demonstration site.
NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are already learning through the school curriculum. Students cannot prepare specifically for the NAPLAN tests and are not expected to do so.
The tests contain questions similar to those that occur as part of regular classroom learning, teaching and assessment practice. Schools should familiarise students with the test process and question formats, which is different to over-rehearsing.
NAPLAN public demonstration site
Schools should ensure students are familiar with the types of questions in the online tests and provide students with appropriate support and guidance.
Sample tests for writing, reading, conventions of language and numeracy for each NAPLAN test year level are available online from the NAPLAN public demonstration site.
These sample tests contain questions that show the types of technology-enhanced features of the online tests, including interactive navigation, audio features and drag and drop style responses.
Schools are also encouraged to use the NAPLAN public demonstration site to determine whether adjustments built into the NAP locked-down browser (e.g. the zoom tool) can enable students with disability to access the tests on the same basis as other students.
Use of past NAPLAN test items
The national protocols have strict requirements for the use of past NAPLAN test items for teaching and learning purposes. For information on how a school can use and share past NAPLAN test materials refer to Section 4 of the National protocols for test administration .
Principals should always ensure they consult the current National protocols for test administration as these requirements change from year to year due to ACARA's obligations to third-party copyright agreements.
Failing to comply with these requirements can constitute a serious breach of the National protocols for test administration.
Please contact the QCAA NAPLAN team for further assistance.
Schools administering NAPLAN can prepare for testing by participating in training and national preparation activities.
Technical requirements
Schools can check the minimum technical specifications required for their current equipment, students’ BYO devices and any new purchases at:
Locked-down browser for testing
The latest version of the locked-down browser is available for download on the Online National Assessment Platform. It is important that schools check that the latest version of the NAP locked-down browser application is installed on all devices used for testing, including back-up devices. Previous versions of the application should be uninstalled on all devices.
- Last updated:
- 23 January 2025
