NAPLAN testing in May is a significant event in the Australian primary calendar. Preparation shouldn't mean teaching to the test, but rather building the mathematical understanding and testing skills students need. These free resources focus on understanding NAPLAN question types and building confidence.
NAPLAN Preparation: Smart Testing Strategies
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Free NAPLAN Practice Tests & Question Banks
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NSW Celebrate Learning (NAPLAN Practice Portal)
Free official NAPLAN-style practice tests from NSW Education. Directly aligned to NAPLAN format and difficulty. Diagnostic feedback after completion.
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NSW Department Sample NAPLAN Papers (Years 3 & 5)
Free downloadable past NAPLAN papers. Authentic practice with actual test format and time constraints.
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Mathsisfun NAPLAN-Specific Games & Drills
Interactive games targeting NAPLAN question types. Multi-step problems, fraction questions, percentage applications, and mental calculation.
Tip: Start NAPLAN preparation in Term 2 — not intensive drilling, but regular exposure to question types and building familiarity with the test format.
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NAPLAN Test-Taking Strategies
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Khan Academy NAPLAN Math Strategies (Year 3-5)
Free videos specifically addressing NAPLAN question types and strategies. Mental maths techniques, multi-step problem solving, and time management.
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Free NAPLAN Strategy Posters (Printable)
Free downloadable posters for common test-taking strategies: read carefully, check your answer, skip and return, estimate first. Display in classrooms and on take-home resources.
NAPLAN Preparation Timeline
- Term 1: Focus on core numeracy — no formal NAPLAN preparation, just quality teaching
- Term 2 (early): Introduce NAPLAN format and question types through Mathsisfun games
- Term 2 (mid): Begin regular practice tests using NSW Celebrate Learning (2–3 weekly)
- Term 2 (late): Review NSW sample papers, identify weak areas, target specific question types
- Term 3 (week 1-2): Final NAPLAN practice test at full pace and time constraints
- Strategy focus: Read carefully, check work, estimate before calculating, skip difficult questions and return
