The National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy is a professional certification assessment in Australia. Thorough preparation is essential to demonstrate your knowledge and competency in this field.
Our comprehensive collection of free NAPLAN practice questions covers all exam domains and topics. Use these detailed study materials to build confidence and improve your test performance.
Interactive NAPLAN resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Source · Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Time limit (Conventions of language) | 45 minutes (all year levels)[1] | Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Oct 28, 2026 |
| Time limit (Numeracy) | Year 3: 45 min; Year 5: 50 min; Years 7, 9: 65 min[1] | Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Oct 28, 2026 |
| Time limit (Reading) | Year 3: 45 min; Year 5: 50 min; Years 7, 9: 65 min[1] | Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Oct 28, 2026 |
| Time limit (Writing) | Year 3: 40 min; Years 5, 7, 9: 42 min[1] | Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Oct 28, 2026 |
| Passing score | No pass mark; 4 proficiency levels[2] | Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Oct 28, 2026 |
| Retake policy | Catch-up tests only within 9-day window[1] | Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Oct 28, 2026 |
| Delivery | Online and adaptive; Year 3 writing on paper[3] | Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Oct 28, 2026 |
| Eligibility | Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9[4] | acara.edu.au · Oct 28, 2026 |
| Score release | Term 3[5] | acara.edu.au · Oct 28, 2026 |
| Testing window | 10–22 March 2027[6] | Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Oct 28, 2026 |
Important: The NAPLAN examination requires thorough understanding of all core subject areas. Review the official Australian exam guidelines and ensure you meet all eligibility requirements before scheduling your test date.
According to Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, “Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are tested on the fundamental literacy and numeracy skills that every child needs to become successful learners in school and beyond.”[4]
Prepare for the NAPLAN - National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.
Question: What training is required before workers perform Number and Algebra activities?
Answer: B. Appropriate training covering hazards, procedures, equipment use, and emergency response
Explanation:
The correct answer is that workers need appropriate training covering hazards, procedures, equipment use and emergency response. Training has to match the risks of the activity before the work starts.
Learning on the job is wrong because mistakes happen while the risks are live. A quick verbal briefing only is wrong because it cannot cover hazards, equipment and emergencies in a way people retain or can be checked on. Self-study from a pamphlet is wrong because nobody confirms that the worker understood it or can apply it.
The rule to remember: for safety questions, the best answer is usually the structured, risk-based option, not the informal shortcut. Note that this item is a workplace-safety question, so it is practice for careful reading of options and is not typical of the content students see in NAPLAN.
Question: A narrative should be organised with a clear structure. Which order is correct?
Answer: B. Orientation, complication, resolution
Explanation:
The correct order is orientation, complication, resolution. The orientation introduces the setting and characters, the complication presents the problem, and the resolution shows how the problem is dealt with.
Resolution, orientation, complication is wrong because the ending comes before the story has begun. Complication, orientation, resolution is wrong because the problem appears before the reader knows who or where. Resolution, complication, orientation is wrong because it reverses the whole sequence.
The rule to remember: a narrative builds from setting, to trouble, to outcome. When you plan a story in the writing test, jot those 3 parts down first and check that each one has its own paragraph or paragraphs.
Question: How should Persuasive Writing incidents be reported in an Australian workplace?
Answer: B. Report immediately to the supervisor, with notifiable incidents reported to the regulator
Explanation:
The correct answer is to report immediately to the supervisor, with notifiable incidents reported to the regulator. Prompt reporting lets the workplace respond, protect others and meet its legal duties.
Ignoring minor incidents is wrong because small events often show a hazard that could cause serious harm later. Waiting until the weekly meeting is wrong because the delay leaves the risk in place and may miss reporting deadlines. Posting on social media is wrong because it is not a reporting channel and can spread unverified information.
The rule to remember: report promptly through the proper channel. This item is a workplace-safety question placed in a writing set, so treat it as a reminder to choose the formal, accountable option and not as NAPLAN-style content.
Start with the official NAP website so you know the format for your year level, including which tests are online and that Year 3 writing is on paper. Then use the practice sets here to find weak spots before you spend time on volume.
Work through one topic at a time. For literacy, begin with Reading Comprehension, then move to Spelling and Punctuation and Grammar and Punctuation. For numeracy, try Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry and Statistics and Probability.
For writing, plan a short outline before drafting. Practise a story in Narrative Writing and an argument in Persuasive Writing, and time yourself against the limit for your year level.
After each set, read the explanation for every question you missed and write down the rule behind it. Return to those rules a few days later. In the last days before the test, do short timed sessions and rest, because NAPLAN has no pass mark and cramming adds little.
Join thousands of candidates who have used our free practice tests to prepare for the National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy. Start practising today and build the confidence you need to succeed. Practice with the free NAPLAN practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (8 questions with answer explanations).
Try these questions from our free NAPLAN practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
In the NAPLAN writing test, students are given one prompt and must write in either a narrative or persuasive style. Which feature belongs in a PERSUASIVE text?
Answer: C. A clear opinion supported by reasons
Persuasive writing presents an opinion backed by reasons and evidence. Narratives, by contrast, use characters, plot and setting.
The mean of five test scores is 72. Four of the scores are 65, 78, 80 and 69. What is the fifth score?
Answer: A. 68
Sum of 5 scores = 72 × 5 = 360. Sum of 4 known = 65+78+80+69 = 292. Fifth = 360 − 292 = 68
What is a Code of Practice relevant to Reading Comprehension?
Answer: B. A practical guide approved under WHS legislation that can be used as evidence of what is reasonably practicable
Codes of Practice provide practical guidance with legal significance — they can be cited as evidence of what is known and reasonably practicable.
What is a Code of Practice relevant to Spelling and Punctuation?
Answer: B. A practical guide approved under WHS legislation that can be used as evidence of what is reasonably practicable
Codes of Practice provide practical guidance with legal significance — they can be cited as evidence of what is known and reasonably practicable.
How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.