NAPLAN tests skills in literacy and numeracy that are developed over time through the school curriculum. Excessive test preparation using previous tests is not necessary or useful.
NAPLAN tests identify whether all students have the literacy and numeracy skills that provide the critical foundation for their learning, and for their productive and rewarding participation in the community. Students are assessed using common national tests in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. NAPLAN tests broadly reflect important aspects of literacy and numeracy in the Australian Curriculum adopted by each state or territory.

The types of test formats and questions are generally familiar to teachers and students across Australia. From 2017, the NAPLAN paper tests will include some new types of questions, such as questions with multiple choices. Students may also be asked to answer questions that require them to look at two reading texts on the same topic.

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