Top Strategies to Prepare for NAPLAN

The purpose of NAPLAN is to assess the literacy and numeracy skills of Australian students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. It helps schools, parents, and governments understand how well students are developing essential skills needed for future learning. NAPLAN results also help identify areas where students may need extra support. This year NAPLAN will take place from 12 – 24th March.

Preparing for NAPLAN is important because it helps students feel confident and ready for the tests. It assesses essential skills which are vital for future learning. While NAPLAN isn’t about passing or failing, being prepared allows students to show their true abilities and approach the tests with a positive mindset.

You can help your students prepare by following these steps:

Avoid Cramming for the Exam

Cramming for NAPLAN can leave students feeling anxious and unprepared. Regular short study sessions focusing on reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar, punctuation), and numeracy help students absorb information gradually and improve their skills. With proper preparation, students can practice answering questions under timed conditions, understand the test format, and develop strategies to manage stress over time. Regular tutoring sessions are ideal for building the foundational skills assessed in NAPLAN.

Read Widely from a Range of Genres

NAPLAN’s reading test includes fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and informational texts. By reading widely, students become familiar with different text types and develop strategies to locate information, infer meaning, and identify the purpose and audience of a text. This exposure builds strong comprehension and vocabulary skills. Encourage students to read stories, news articles, advertisements, and reports, as NAPLAN questions often ask students to analyse and interpret texts from these genres.

Complete Timed Writing Exercises

NAPLAN’s writing task asks students to write either a narrative or persuasive text in response to a prompt. They have 40 minutes to plan, draft, and edit their work. Regular timed writing practice teaches students to manage their time effectively. They should practice brainstorming ideas quickly, structuring their writing into clear paragraphs, and developing strong introductions and conclusions. By writing under time pressure, students build the stamina and skills needed to produce well-organised and creative writing within the NAPLAN timeframe.

Teach Kids to Self-Edit Their Work

In NAPLAN’s writing task, students are expected to check their own work for errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Teaching students to self-edit helps them catch common mistakes like run-on sentences, incorrect verb tense, or missing punctuation. They should also review their writing to ensure ideas flow logically and language suits the text type (narrative or persuasive). Practicing self-editing helps reinforce knowledge of grammar rules and sentence structure.

Practice Everyday Maths Skills

NAPLAN’s numeracy test assesses number skills, measurement, space, geometry, data, and chance. Students may need to calculate percentages, read graphs, solve word problems, or work with fractions. Practicing maths in real life, such as budgeting pocket money, reading maps, or measuring ingredients, reinforces these skills. Encourage mental maths games and problem-solving puzzles too as this makes learning enjoyable and will help your student retain information.

Complete Online Practice Tests

Since NAPLAN is now completed online, it’s important for students to practice using the actual online format. NAPLAN practice tests expose students to interactive question types such as drag-and-drop, multiple choice, and typing short written responses. Completing online practice builds familiarity with the tools and layout. This reduces stress and helps students focus on demonstrating their literacy and numeracy skills.

How Tutor Doctor Can Help Students Prepare for NAPLAN

Our tutors provide targeted support to help students prepare for NAPLAN by focusing on the specific areas tested: reading, writing, language conventions, and numeracy.

We will assess your child’s strengths and weaknesses to create a personalised learning program tailored to their needs.