National Assessment Program
The National Assessment Program (NAP) measures and monitors student achievement against national and international standards, and includes the tests listed below.
Assessing Student Achievement in Australia 2009 brochure (pdf 173 kb)
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 2009 NAPLAN tests were held on Tuesday 12 to Friday 15 May 2009.
NAPLAN results
The first stage of the 2009 national student achievement information is provided as follows:
- Australia-wide NAPLAN summary report released on 11 September 2009
- Northern Territory NAPLAN results (pdf 279 kb)
The second stage of more comprehensive student achievement information in the National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy Achievement in Reading, Writing, Language Conventions and Numeracy will be released in December 2009.
Please visit the NAPLAN website for 2008 NAPLAN results.
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 students 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 2006 and will occur again in 2009.
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 2007 and will occur again in 2010.
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 was conducted in October 2008.
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 2006.
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 2006 while a new study is in preparation now and will be held in 2009.