Every year, thousands of Australian students take part in NAPLAN testing, but many parents and students still wonder what it really is, why it matters, and how it impacts their education.

Table Talk presenter, Doug, recently chatted to Craig Hunter, Principal of Kalamunda Christian School, who explained that NAPLAN, short for the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy, is a nationwide assessment held for students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. “It focuses on four key areas: writing, reading comprehension, numeracy, and spelling and grammar. Each section is a 45-minute test, now mostly completed online, except for Year 3 writing which remains paper-based.”

The results are recorded on the public “My School” website, allowing parents to compare schools’ performances. While this transparency can assist parents in making decisions, it also places pressure on schools, as results may influence enrolment numbers.

Why NAPLAN Is Important for Schools and Students

For the Australian education system, NAPLAN provides a crucial snapshot of how students are progressing. Not just within Australia, but compared to international standards. Alarmingly, Australia’s global rankings have been slipping.

Mr Hunter explains “Back in 2000, we ranked sixth in the world for math. By 2019, we had dropped to sixteenth in reading, twenty-ninth in math, and seventeenth in science. On average, our students are now about three years behind their Singaporean counterparts in math. However, we’re still performing slightly better than New Zealand.”

For teachers and parents, NAPLAN serves as a valuable tool. It allows educators to monitor student progress over time and identify areas needing improvement. For instance, if a school notices students are excelling in reading but falling behind in writing, they can adapt their strategies to provide targeted support. Parents, too, gain insight into how their child’s academic development compares to national benchmarks.

Addressing Concerns About Student Pressure

But Mr Hunter explained to Doug that not all feedback around NAPLAN is positive. “Many parents worry about the pressure the NAPLAN testing places on young students. It’s crucial to remember that NAPLAN only tests literacy and numeracy, it doesn’t measure if a child is kind, creative, musical, athletic, or thoughtful.”

“Standardised tests, by nature, reduce students to numbers and data, which can never capture their full potential or individuality. The last thing anyone wants is for students to be defined by their test scores. There’s growing awareness that teaching solely to improve NAPLAN scores is an outdated and unhelpful approach, yet some schools still fall into this trap” he explained.

How Schools Prepare Students Without Stress

At schools that take a healthier approach, the focus is on preparing students without overwhelming them. Mr Hunter said his school is one of many that reassures students that NAPLAN is only a moment in time. “Our teachers work hard to remove pressure, reassuring students that NAPLAN results don’t affect their grades or define their worth. Some schools even pray with students beforehand, reminding them that success or failure on a test doesn’t change who they are.”

He went on to explain that rather than overloading students with worksheets, educators make sure they’re equipped with the skills they need without the added stress. “Since most tests are now online, knowing how to navigate a computer is helpful, although research suggests many students, especially boys, perform better digitally than with pen and paper.”

Should NAPLAN Be Compulsory?

Another point of debate is whether NAPLAN should be compulsory. Ideally, the more students who participate, the more accurate the national data. But for some students, those with severe anxiety, learning difficulties, or special needs the stress of sitting the test might outweigh any benefits.

Mr Hunter reminded parents that NAPLAN is a choice. “Parents have the right to withdraw their child if needed, and it’s always best to speak with the school’s NAPLAN coordinator to make the right decision. On average, about 3.5 percent of parents choose to withdraw their child, and around 10 percent of students are absent during testing.”

Recent Changes to NAPLAN

In recent years, significant changes have been made to NAPLAN. One of the biggest is the introduction of adaptive testing. After the first set of questions, the difficulty level adjusts based on student responses, ensuring that the test is more suited to individual ability levels. While most students won’t notice, this shift has impacted how schools analyse long-term trends, and it may take a few years before the full effects are clear.

Using NAPLAN Results to Improve Learning

Schools do take the NAPLAN data seriously, with Mr Hunter saying many use it to refine teaching methods. “For example, one school noticed a decline in spelling and grammar results over the past two years and is now investing in new strategies to address the issue.”

In contrast, strong performance in numeracy and reading confirms that current approaches in those areas are working well. “In another instance, a school introduced a new writing program and saw NAPLAN writing results improve by ten percent” he explained.

Common Misconceptions About NAPLAN

Mr Hunter also said that unfortunately, several misconceptions about NAPLAN persist. “Some parents fear that the government will use NAPLAN to track their child’s progress throughout their life. That’s simply not true, NAPLAN results aren’t used beyond school reporting. Others worry that the tests are too stressful for young children. While some stress is inevitable, learning to face challenges like tests is an important life skill. Another common myth is that NAPLAN results determine intelligence. In reality, it’s just one snapshot taken on one day. Teachers use a variety of other assessments to build a complete picture of a student’s strengths and areas for growth.”

Advice for Students and Parents

For students and parents preparing for NAPLAN, Mr Hunter says the best advice is to stay calm. “Encourage your child to try their best, but remind them that their character, creativity, kindness, and unique gifts matter far more than any test result. Avoid last-minute cramming—it won’t help, and may only add to their stress.”

What’s Next for NAPLAN?

Looking ahead, it’s likely that NAPLAN will continue to play a role in Australian education, potentially even expanding to include other subjects like science and humanities. It offers a way to track student progress nationally and internationally, helping governments and schools allocate resources more effectively.

However, Mr Hunter is concerned that our growing obsession with standardised testing risks overshadowing the true purpose of education; to inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning. “Ideally, schools would focus on these broader goals, and perhaps even reconsider publishing individual school results, which can foster unhealthy comparisons and unnecessary pressure—especially for students who don’t fit into traditional learning models.”

“At the end of the day, NAPLAN is just one tool. It’s useful, but it should never define a child, a teacher, or a school.”

Listen to Craig Hunter’s in depth conversation with Doug below.