NAPLAN (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy)

• Read for main idea, purpose and audience

  ≈ 4%1 h 15 min

  This topic covers how to identify what a text is mostly about, why it was created, and who it is aimed at across the range of NAPLAN reading texts. In the test, these skills are assessed through multiple-choice and short-answer items that require students to recognise central ideas, communicative purpose and intended audience from whole texts or key sections.

  • identify the main idea of a whole text or paragraph using the strongest supporting details
  • distinguish between a text’s topic and its main idea
  • determine the author’s purpose, such as to inform, explain, entertain, persuade or describe
  • identify the intended audience from language choices, content and text features
  • explain how headings, introductions, conclusions and repeated ideas signal purpose and main message
  • select evidence from the text that best supports a judgment about main idea, purpose or audience

• Retrieve explicit information and follow references

  ≈ 4%1 h 15 min

  This topic focuses on locating directly stated information and tracking how words, phrases and references connect across a text. In NAPLAN, students are tested on their ability to find stated details quickly, match information accurately, and resolve references such as pronouns, repeated nouns and linking phrases.

  • locate explicitly stated facts, details and examples in prose, poetry, informative and persuasive texts
  • match a question to the relevant sentence, paragraph, table, label or text feature
  • identify who or what a pronoun, noun group or referring expression stands for
  • follow references across sentences and paragraphs to maintain meaning
  • retrieve information from more than one part of a text when the answer is stated but distributed
  • distinguish directly stated information from information that must be inferred

• Infer ideas, viewpoints and cause and effect

  ≈ 4%1 h 30 min

  This topic develops the ability to work out meanings and relationships that are implied rather than stated directly, including opinions, motivations and consequences. NAPLAN reading assesses these skills through questions that require evidence-based inference about characters, speakers, authors, events, and causal links within and across texts.

  • infer an idea, feeling, motivation or conclusion from textual clues
  • identify an author’s or character’s viewpoint when it is implied through details or language choices
  • determine cause-and-effect relationships, including chains of events and likely consequences
  • draw conclusions by combining clues from different parts of a text
  • justify an inference with the most relevant evidence from the text
  • distinguish a supported inference from a guess or personal opinion

• Vocabulary, figurative language and tone in context

  ≈ 4%1 h 15 min

  This topic covers understanding word meaning from context, interpreting figurative and idiomatic language, and recognising tone. In NAPLAN, students are tested on how language works within a passage rather than on isolated dictionary meanings.

  • determine the meaning of an unfamiliar word or phrase from surrounding context
  • interpret figurative language, including simile, metaphor, personification and idiomatic expressions, in context
  • identify shades of meaning created by precise word choice
  • recognise the tone of a text or passage, such as humorous, serious, critical, enthusiastic or formal
  • explain how vocabulary choices shape mood, tone or reader response
  • distinguish between literal and figurative meanings where both may seem possible

• Interpret text structures, visuals and multimodal features

  ≈ 3%1 h 15 min

  This topic addresses how readers use organisational patterns and visual features to make meaning in print and digital-style texts. NAPLAN assesses this through items on layout, headings, diagrams, tables, images, captions, timelines and other multimodal features that contribute to meaning.

  • identify how a text is organised, such as chronological, descriptive, compare-and-contrast, problem-and-solution or argument structure
  • use headings, subheadings, paragraphs and other structural cues to locate and interpret information
  • interpret information presented in visuals, including diagrams, maps, charts, tables, captions and labelled images
  • explain how visual and written elements work together to communicate meaning
  • interpret navigation or layout features typical of multimodal texts where these are represented in the test
  • select relevant information from both verbal and visual components to answer a question accurately

• Compare texts, viewpoints, arguments and evidence

  ≈ 4%1 h 30 min

  This topic focuses on reading across two texts or across parts of a text to identify similarities, differences, positions and support. In NAPLAN, students are assessed on comparing viewpoints, claims, arguments, language choices and evidence, especially in informative and persuasive material.

  • compare the main ideas or themes of two texts or two sections of text
  • identify similarities and differences in viewpoints, attitudes or perspectives
  • distinguish a claim or argument from the evidence used to support it
  • evaluate which details or examples support a particular viewpoint or argument
  • compare how different texts use language and structure to influence the reader
  • synthesise information from multiple texts to reach a supported comparison or conclusion

• Answer short-answer and completion questions precisely

  ≈ 2%1 h

  This topic covers how to respond accurately to short-answer and completion items in the NAPLAN reading test. Students must extract only the required information, use wording that matches the text where appropriate, and avoid answers that are too broad, vague or unsupported.

  • identify exactly what a short-answer or completion question is asking
  • provide a concise response that includes all required information and nothing irrelevant
  • use words, phrases or details from the text accurately when the item requires textual evidence
  • complete a sentence, table or prompt so that the meaning is correct and fully supported by the text
  • check spelling and copied text carefully enough for the response to remain clear and acceptable
  • revise a drafted response against the question stem before submitting

• Pace the adaptive online reading test

  ≈ 1%45 min

  This topic develops test-management strategies specific to the online multistage tailored NAPLAN reading test. Students are assessed indirectly because effective pacing, careful reading and controlled movement through items improve performance across the adaptive sequence within the set time limit for each year level.

  • apply a pacing plan that fits the Reading time for the student’s year level
  • balance time between reading the text, answering the item and checking before moving on
  • use on-screen features efficiently without losing focus on comprehension
  • make a reasoned choice to move on from a difficult item instead of wasting excessive time
  • maintain accuracy under timed conditions across multiple-choice, multiple-response and short-answer items
  • complete full-length adaptive-style practice sets with consistent concentration and time control

About 9 h 45 min of study, lessons and core practice

• Spelling sound-letter patterns and high-frequency words

  ≈ 4%1 h 30 min

  This topic covers correct spelling of common and curriculum-frequency words, including how sounds are represented by letters and letter patterns in Australian English. In NAPLAN Conventions of Language, it is tested through multiple-choice and short completion items that require students to recognise, select or supply the correct spelling in context.

  • apply common sound-letter correspondences to spell words accurately, including long and short vowels, consonant digraphs and common grapheme patterns
  • distinguish between plausible but incorrect spellings by using letter patterns, syllables and visual knowledge of word forms
  • spell high-frequency words accurately, including irregular common words that cannot be solved by sound alone
  • use common spelling generalisations to choose likely letter sequences, including patterns such as final $-e$, doubled consonants and common vowel teams where appropriate
  • check whether a spelling looks right in sentence context by drawing on knowledge of standard Australian English word forms

• Spelling morphemes, homophones and word-meaning clues

  ≈ 3%1 h 15 min

  This topic covers spelling through meaning, including prefixes, suffixes, base words, tense and plural endings, and commonly confused homophones. NAPLAN tests it by asking students to choose or write the correct form using clues from grammar, word meaning and sentence context.

  • apply knowledge of base words, prefixes and suffixes to spell derived words accurately
  • use inflectional endings correctly in spelling, including plural, possessive, comparative, superlative and verb endings
  • select the correct homophone according to meaning and grammatical function in context
  • use word meaning and morphology to distinguish related forms such as noun, verb and adjective versions of the same base
  • spell unfamiliar words by identifying meaningful parts, including roots and affixes, and using analogy with known words

• Word classes and how they work in sentences

  ≈ 4%1 h 15 min

  This topic covers the major word classes and the way they function within phrases and sentences in standard Australian English. NAPLAN tests it through items that ask students to identify, select or edit nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, prepositions, articles and conjunctions for grammatical accuracy and meaning.

  • identify the function of major word classes in sentences, including nouns, noun groups, verbs, verb groups, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, prepositions, articles and conjunctions
  • select words of the appropriate class to complete or improve a sentence grammatically
  • distinguish between content words and function words by how they contribute meaning and structure
  • use modifiers appropriately within noun groups and verb groups to create precise meaning
  • recognise when a word changes class according to its use in a sentence and choose the form that fits the context

• Agreement, tense, pronouns and reference

  ≈ 4%1 h 30 min

  This topic covers consistency and clarity in grammar, especially subject-verb agreement, verb tense, pronoun forms and clear reference. In NAPLAN, students must detect and correct errors or choose forms that maintain grammatical agreement and cohesive meaning across a sentence or short text.

  • apply subject-verb agreement accurately, including singular and plural forms in simple and more complex noun groups
  • maintain consistent and appropriate verb tense within and across sentences unless a shift is required by meaning
  • select correct pronoun forms for person, number and function in a sentence
  • ensure that pronouns have clear and unambiguous antecedents within a sentence or short passage
  • edit sentences to remove errors in agreement, tense and reference that disrupt standard Australian English

• Clauses, conjunctions and sentence boundaries

  ≈ 4%1 h 30 min

  This topic covers how ideas are formed and linked through clauses, conjunctions and complete sentences. NAPLAN tests it by asking students to recognise sentence structure, join or separate ideas correctly, and choose conjunctions and clause patterns that create grammatical, coherent writing.

  • distinguish between complete sentences, sentence fragments and run-on constructions
  • identify independent and dependent clauses and how they combine in simple, compound and complex sentences
  • select coordinating and subordinating conjunctions that express the intended relationship between ideas
  • apply sentence boundaries correctly by recognising where a sentence should begin and end
  • edit clause structure to improve grammatical completeness, logical connection and readability

• Punctuation: capitals, commas, apostrophes, quotation marks and more

  ≈ 4%1 h 30 min

  This topic covers the punctuation needed for standard written English, including capitals, end punctuation, commas, apostrophes, quotation marks and other common marks. In NAPLAN, students are tested through editing and selection items that require correct punctuation for meaning, clarity and sentence structure.

  • use capital letters correctly for sentence beginnings, proper nouns and other required cases in standard Australian English
  • apply full stops, question marks and exclamation marks appropriately to mark sentence endings
  • use commas accurately in common sentence patterns, including items in a list and where needed for clarity in clauses or phrases
  • distinguish and apply apostrophes for possession and contraction without confusing them with plural marking
  • use quotation marks and accompanying punctuation correctly in direct speech or quoted material
  • recognise and correct punctuation errors involving colons, semicolons, brackets, dashes or ellipses where these are used in age-appropriate standard written texts

• Edit conventions items efficiently online

  ≈ 1%45 min

  This topic covers the test-taking processes specific to online Conventions of Language items: reading the sentence carefully, spotting the error type quickly and selecting the best answer efficiently. NAPLAN tests not just knowledge of spelling, grammar and punctuation, but the ability to apply that knowledge under timed, adaptive online conditions.

  • scan each item for the tested feature before reading answer options in full
  • use sentence context to eliminate distractors that are plausible in isolation but incorrect in standard Australian English
  • check whether an answer fixes the specific error without introducing a new spelling, grammar or punctuation problem
  • manage time across multiple-choice and completion items without overcommitting to a single question
  • apply keyboard and on-screen accuracy when entering short responses or completions online

About 9 h 15 min of study, lessons and core practice

• Place value, ordering and number sense

  ≈ 3%1 h 30 min

  This topic covers reading, representing, comparing and ordering whole numbers, decimals and common fractions, together with estimating size and position on a number line. In NAPLAN numeracy, students are tested through multiple-choice, numeric-entry and short-response items that require place-value reasoning rather than only written computation.

  • read and represent whole numbers, decimals and common fractions using place-value language and notation
  • compare and order numbers, including negative numbers where appropriate to year level, by reasoning about place value and magnitude
  • locate and interpret numbers on number lines, scales and graduated measures
  • round numbers and decimals to a stated place value and estimate sensible values in context
  • identify benchmark numbers and use number sense to judge whether an answer is too large, too small or reasonable

• Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division strategies

  ≈ 3%1 h 30 min

  This topic covers efficient mental and written strategies for the four operations with whole numbers, decimals and simple fractions where appropriate. NAPLAN tests both accurate calculation and the choice of an efficient method in real-world and abstract questions.

  • calculate sums and differences using mental, partitioning, written and compensation strategies
  • calculate products and quotients using known facts, place-value partitioning, arrays, algorithms and inverse relationships
  • select an efficient operation and strategy to solve one-step and short multistep problems
  • apply the order of operations in number sentences where required by the item
  • use estimation and inverse operations to check the reasonableness of answers to calculations

• Fractions, decimals, percentages and equivalent forms

  ≈ 3%1 h 30 min

  This topic covers recognising, comparing, converting and calculating with fractions, decimals and percentages in equivalent forms. In NAPLAN, students must move flexibly between representations and solve problems in everyday contexts such as discounts, quantities and part-whole relationships.

  • identify and generate equivalent fractions, decimals and percentages
  • compare and order fractions, decimals and percentages using benchmarks, common denominators or place value
  • convert between common fractions, terminating decimals and familiar percentages
  • calculate a fraction or percentage of a quantity in straightforward contexts
  • interpret part-whole, measure and proportion situations represented with fractions, decimals and percentages

• Groups, arrays, factors and multiples

  ≈ 2%1 h 15 min

  This topic covers multiplicative structure through equal groups, arrays, factors, multiples and divisibility. NAPLAN uses these ideas in number facts, rectangular arrangements, divisibility reasoning and problems involving common factors or common multiples.

  • interpret and represent multiplication and division using equal groups and arrays
  • identify factors, multiples and factor pairs of whole numbers
  • apply divisibility rules and known multiplication facts to reason about number relationships
  • find common factors and common multiples in straightforward situations
  • use multiplicative structure to solve grouping, sharing and array problems

• Ratios, rates and proportion in context

  ≈ 1%1 h 15 min

  NAPLAN Year 7 onlyNAPLAN Year 9 only

  This topic covers comparing quantities multiplicatively using ratio, rate and simple proportional reasoning. In NAPLAN, questions usually appear in practical contexts such as recipes, maps, unit prices, speed or scaling, and require students to recognise and apply multiplicative relationships.

  • interpret ratio statements and part-part or part-whole comparisons in context
  • calculate and compare simple rates such as cost per item, distance per time or quantity per unit
  • apply equivalent ratios to scale quantities up or down
  • solve simple proportion problems using multiplicative reasoning rather than additive reasoning
  • judge whether a proportional answer is reasonable from the context and given values

• Patterns, formulas, number sentences and algebraic relationships

  ≈ 2%1 h 15 min

  This topic covers recognising patterns, describing rules, using formulas and solving number sentences involving unknowns. NAPLAN tests students’ ability to generalise from tables, diagrams or sequences and to connect arithmetic relationships with simple algebraic notation.

  • identify, continue and describe number and visual patterns using a stated or inferred rule
  • evaluate simple formulas and substitution statements from given values
  • solve number sentences involving an unknown using inverse operations or balance reasoning
  • interpret relationships shown in tables, input-output rules, diagrams or simple graphs
  • express and apply arithmetic and multiplicative relationships using words, symbols or simple algebraic notation

• Money, time and timetables

  ≈ 2%1 h 15 min

  This topic covers calculations with money, reading and converting time, and interpreting schedules and timetables. In NAPLAN, these skills are assessed through practical items involving change, discounts, elapsed time, calendars and transport or event schedules.

  • calculate totals, change and simple financial comparisons using dollars and cents
  • interpret discounts, unit prices and best-buy situations at an appropriate level of complexity
  • read analogue and digital times and convert between time units
  • calculate elapsed time and determine start or finish times across simple daily schedules
  • interpret calendars, timetables and schedules to answer practical questions accurately

• Measurement: length, area, volume, mass, capacity and temperature

  ≈ 3%1 h 30 min

  This topic covers choosing units, reading scales, converting metric measures and solving problems involving length, perimeter, area, volume, mass, capacity and temperature. NAPLAN presents these ideas in diagrams, labelled containers, floor plans, maps and real-life measurement scenarios.

  • choose appropriate metric units and instruments for measuring length, area, volume, mass, capacity and temperature
  • read scales and labelled graduations accurately, including partial intervals where appropriate
  • convert between related metric units in straightforward measurement situations
  • calculate perimeter and area of common shapes and interpret volume or capacity in practical contexts
  • solve contextual measurement problems involving comparison, estimation and unit selection

• Geometry: shape, angle, location and transformation

  ≈ 3%1 h 30 min

  This topic covers properties of two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes, angle ideas, spatial reasoning, position and movement, and transformations. NAPLAN tests recognition, classification and interpretation from diagrams, grids, maps and geometric representations.

  • identify and classify common two-dimensional shapes and three-dimensional objects by their properties
  • recognise, compare and estimate angles, including right angles and angles relative to benchmarks
  • interpret location, direction and coordinates on grids, maps or simple plans
  • describe and apply transformations such as slides, flips and turns in visual contexts
  • use geometric properties and spatial reasoning to solve problems involving shape, symmetry, position and movement

• Data interpretation and chance

  ≈ 2%1 h 15 min

  This topic covers reading and interpreting tables, graphs and other data displays, together with simple ideas of probability and chance. In NAPLAN, students answer questions about extracting values, comparing categories, drawing conclusions and judging likelihood from familiar experiments or representations.

  • read values and trends from tables, picture graphs, column graphs, line graphs and other common displays
  • compare categories and calculate simple differences or totals from displayed data
  • interpret the meaning of scales, keys, labels and legends in data representations
  • describe and compare likelihood using everyday chance language and simple probability reasoning
  • draw straightforward conclusions from data while distinguishing supported claims from unsupported ones

• No-calculator fluency, estimation and numeric entry

  ≈ 2%1 h

  This topic covers the no-calculator demands of NAPLAN numeracy, especially for Years 7 and 9 part A, including fluent mental computation, estimation and exact numeric entry. Students are tested on speed, accuracy and careful formatting of responses without technological support.

  • perform accurate mental calculations with whole numbers, decimals, common fractions and percentages at an appropriate level
  • estimate results before calculating and use benchmarks to narrow likely answers
  • apply efficient no-calculator strategies such as partitioning, compensating, doubling, halving and using known facts
  • enter numeric responses correctly in online answer boxes, including decimals, negative numbers and units only when required
  • check no-calculator answers quickly for place-value errors, omitted digits and unreasonable size

• Basic calculator use and checking reasonableness

  ≈ 1%45 min

  NAPLAN Year 7 onlyNAPLAN Year 9 only

  This topic covers efficient use of the basic online calculator in calculator-allowed numeracy sections and checking whether calculator outputs make sense. NAPLAN rewards students who decide when a calculator helps, key in expressions accurately and verify answers against context and estimation.

  • decide when a calculator is useful and when a mental or written method is faster or safer
  • enter calculations accurately using the basic calculator for operations, decimals and multistep expressions allowed by the item
  • interpret calculator displays correctly, including place value and decimal position
  • use estimation, inverse operations and context to check whether a calculator result is reasonable
  • avoid common calculator errors such as incorrect operation order, missing brackets where relevant to interface, or mistyped digits

• Multistep problem solving and choosing efficient methods

  ≈ 1%1 h 30 min

  This topic covers analysing numeracy word problems, selecting relevant information, linking multiple concepts and choosing efficient solution pathways. In NAPLAN, these items often combine number, measurement, data or geometry and reward clear mathematical modelling and strategic method choice.

  • identify relevant information, constraints and required quantities in multistep problems
  • select and combine appropriate operations, representations and mathematical concepts to model a situation
  • choose an efficient method from mental, written, diagrammatic, table-based or calculator-supported approaches as permitted
  • interpret intermediate results and continue a solution pathway accurately across several steps
  • evaluate the final answer against the question asked, including units, precision and contextual reasonableness

About 17 h of study, lessons and core practice