National Assessment Program
The National Assessment Program (NAP) measures and monitors student achievement against national and international standards. The program includes the tests listed below.
National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN)
Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 across Australia sit common tests in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. The results from this assessment provide an important measure of how all Australian students are performing in literacy and numeracy against national achievement bands.
The 2011 NAPLAN tests were held on Tuesday 10 to Friday 13 May 2011 (Term 2, Week 5).
Future NAPLAN testing dates (pdf 16 kb)
Information for schools
Information for schools contains resources to support the entire NAPLAN process including preparation materials, past tests, writing materials and administration information.
Information for parents
Information for parents contains details about the NAPLAN process including past tests, reporting information and a link to the ACARA website.
NAPLAN results and RAAD
The 2011 national student achievement information was made available on 9 September 2011.
The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) provides comprehensive information about national and student reporting of NAPLAN results.
The Reporting and Analysing Achievement Data (RAAD) tool provides schools with student performance information measured through the NAPLAN.
Every school received their 2011 NAPLAN student data following the national release on 9 September. Along with their school data file schools receive
- 2011 NAPLAN RAAD User Guide (pdf 1.9 mb) - provides technical and data analysis information to assist schools in using the RAAD tool
- Download the RAAD program (exe 1.8 mb)
- 2011 Student Report Information for parents (pdf 301 kb)
Further analysis of NAPLAN data can be conducted by using
- Longitudinal Writing Analysis Spreadsheets: 2008-2010 Master
- 2011 NAPLAN analysis using a curriculum focus for numeracy (under development)
- 2011 NAPLAN analysis using a curriculum focus for literacy (under development)
- Data analysis user guide (under development)
Civics and citizenship
A sample of students in Years 6 and 10 in selected schools in all states and territories participate in this assessment. Civics and citizenship measures and reports on civic knowledge and understanding and the skills and values needed for active citizenship. The assessment is a 60-minute pencil and paper test with multiple-choice, short-response and extended-response items. This assessment was conducted in October 2010 and will occur again in 2013.
Science literacy
This national assessment involves a sample of Year 6 students participating in an assessment of scientific literacy. Science literacy measures and reports on the student’s capacity to use scientific knowledge and approaches. The test is a 60-minute pencil and paper section and a 45-minute practical task. This assessment was conducted in 2009 and will occur again in 2012.
Information and Communication Technology literacy
The ICT Literacy assessment measures and reports on the ability of students to use ICT appropriately to access, manage, integrate and evaluate information, develop new understandings and communicate with others in order to participate effectively in society. A sample of students in Years 6 and 10 in selected schools in all states and territories participate.
The assessment takes approximately two hours and includes computer-based tasks and a student survey. This assessment will be conducted in October 2011.
Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) involves a sample of 15 year-old students participating in an international assessment of Reading, Mathematical and Scientific Literacy. Participation in PISA provides an indicator on how Australia compares with other countries. The last study was carried out in 2009 and will occur again in 2012.
Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)
The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) involves a sample of students in Years 4 and 8. It allows countries to measure their progress in educational achievement in mathematics and science. This assessment was last conducted in 2010 and will occur again in 2014.
Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS)
The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) is conducted every five years to measure progress in the reading achievement of students in their fourth year of schooling, as well as trends in the associated home and school contexts for learning to read. A sample of Year 4 students from across Australia participated in this study for the first time in 2010.