When is NAPLAN 2027? Dates, Test Schedule and How to Prepare
Last updated: 6 October 2026
NAPLAN 2027 will be held from Wednesday 10 March to Monday 22 March 2027 for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9, according to the official National Assessment Program website. The writing test is held first, starting on day 1 of the test window, and schools schedule the remaining tests over the following days. Because NAPLAN tests skills mostly taught in previous years, the end of this school year and the summer holidays are the best time to start getting ready.
NAPLAN 2027 key dates
| What | When |
|---|---|
| NAPLAN 2027 test window | Wednesday 10 March to Monday 22 March 2027 |
| Writing test | Starts on day 1 (Wednesday 10 March). Year 3 writing is on paper, on day 1 only |
| Catch-up tests | Within the test window, for students who are absent |
| School practice tests | Available in the assessment platform from Term 3, 2026 |
| Public demonstration site | Available year-round |
| NAPLAN 2028 | 15 to 27 March 2028 |
| NAPLAN 2029 | 14 to 26 March 2029 |
Source: National Assessment Program, NAPLAN key dates and NAPLAN test window
The test window covers 9 school days. Schools set their own timetable within it, and they must schedule tests as early as possible in the window, preferably in the morning. Your child's school will let you know the exact days for their class.
ACARA has also published guidance for schools on Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr alongside the 2027 dates. If your family is observing, it's worth talking to your child's school early.
NAPLAN 2027 test order and timing
NAPLAN tests must be completed in a set order. If students sit more than one test on the same day, they must have a break of at least 20 minutes between them.
| Test | Order | Year 3 | Year 5 | Year 7 | Year 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Writing | First | 40 min | 42 min | 42 min | 42 min |
| Reading | After writing | 45 min | 50 min | 65 min | 65 min |
| Conventions of language | After reading | 45 min | 45 min | 45 min | 45 min |
| Numeracy | After conventions of language | 45 min | 50 min | 65 min | 65 min |
Source: National Assessment Program, NAPLAN test window
What's in the NAPLAN tests
Writing: Students respond to a writing prompt in one text type, either narrative or persuasive. The text type is revealed on the day, and there's no choice, so it's worth practising both. Year 3 students complete the writing test on paper. Years 5, 7 and 9 complete it online.
Reading: Students read a range of informative, imaginative and persuasive texts, then answer questions about them.
Conventions of language: This test has two sections: spelling first, then grammar and punctuation.
Numeracy: Students apply their maths skills across number, algebra, measurement, space, statistics and probability. In Years 7 and 9, the numeracy test begins with a short non-calculator section, and an online calculator is available for the rest of the test.
Apart from Year 3 writing, NAPLAN is completed online. The tests are tailored, which means questions adjust to how each student is answering. Our complete parent guide to NAPLAN testing explains the format in more detail.
Why now is the best time to start preparing
According to the National Assessment Program, NAPLAN reading, conventions of language and numeracy questions are mostly based on skills students were expected to learn in previous years of school. In other words, much of what your child will see in March 2027 is being taught this year.
That makes the next few months a valuable window:
- Term 4 is the time to spot any gaps while this year's work is still fresh, and to talk with your child's teacher about where they're tracking.
- The summer holidays give children time to strengthen those skills without homework, assessments or a busy timetable. You can check holiday dates for VIC, NSW, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT and the NT.
- Term 1 leaves only five to six weeks before testing begins, alongside new teachers, new routines, camps and carnivals. Starting early means February can be about confidence, not catch-up.
The 2026 results show why this matters. Around 3 in 10 Australian students were working below the Strong level in numeracy, as our NAPLAN 2026 numeracy results by state guide shows. In English, grammar and punctuation was the area where students needed the most support, with around 44% of Year 3 and Year 9 students below the Strong level. See our NAPLAN 2026 English results by state for the full breakdown.
How to prepare for NAPLAN 2027 without the stress
NAPLAN isn't a test children should cram for. The most effective preparation is steady practice on core skills, plus enough familiarity with the format that test day feels routine.
1. Start with what you already know. Your child's school report and conversations with their teacher will show which areas need attention. If your child sat NAPLAN in 2026, their individual report is a useful starting point too.
2. Get familiar with the format. The official NAPLAN public demonstration site shows the question types and online tools students will use. Because Year 3 writing is on paper, there's no Year 3 writing demonstration test. Our free practice tests for Year 3, Year 5, Year 7 and Year 9 give children extra practice with NAPLAN-style questions. See also Where to Find NAPLAN Practice Tests for Your Child.
3. Keep practice short and regular. Fifteen to twenty minutes a few times a week builds skills and confidence far better than long sessions just before the test.
4. Practise both writing types. Because students don't know whether they'll get a narrative or persuasive prompt, it helps to plan and write both. Our NAPLAN English and literacy page has more on building writing skills.
5. Build mental maths for Years 7 and 9. The short non-calculator section rewards quick, confident arithmetic, so times tables and written strategies are worth revisiting. Our NAPLAN numeracy page explains how we support this.
6. Know the common traps. Rushing, skipping instructions and running out of time catch many students out. Read 5 Common NAPLAN Mistakes and How to Help Your Child.
7. Ask about adjustments early. If your child has a disability or learning difference, schools can arrange adjustments, but these may need approval in advance. See NAPLAN Accessibility Adjustments: What Parents Need to Know.
8. Keep it in perspective. NAPLAN is one snapshot of your child's learning, not a measure of their potential. A calm, positive approach at home helps children do their best.
How Kinetic Education helps your child get ready
Kinetic Education is an Australian online tutoring company that has supported more than 100,000 families since 1993. We help children prepare for NAPLAN by building the maths and English skills it tests, at their level and at their pace, with short lessons that fit easily into the holidays.
For maths, every child starts with the Maths Doctor assessment. It checks their skills across multiple year levels to find gaps from earlier years and areas where they're ready to move ahead. Their personalised weekly learning plan then works through Revision and Catch-Up, Consolidation and Extension, with new 20-minute lessons every Monday. Learn more about our online maths tutoring.
For English, we identify your child's skills and tailor their learning plan to their level, covering reading, spelling, grammar, punctuation and writing. English tutors can also set extra writing tasks and give feedback on planning, structure, grammar, punctuation and clarity, which is ideal practice for the NAPLAN writing test. Learn more about our online English tutoring.
A real tutor for your family. Each family is assigned an Australian-based tutor who holds a current Working with Children Check. Your tutor oversees your child's progress, sends you a weekly report and is available when your child needs help.
Kinetic Education is the #1 ranked provider in Tutoring & Kids Programs on ProductReview.com.au. Tutoring starts from $29 a week for the family, and new families can start with 2 weeks free. Starting now gives your child the whole summer to build skills and confidence before NAPLAN 2027.
Related articles
- What Is NAPLAN? A Complete Parent Guide to NAPLAN Testing
- NAPLAN 2026 Results by State: What They Mean for Your Child's Maths
- NAPLAN 2026 English Results by State: Reading, Writing, Spelling and Grammar Explained
- 5 Common NAPLAN Mistakes and How to Help Your Child
Sources
- National Assessment Program, NAPLAN key dates
- National Assessment Program, NAPLAN test window
- National Assessment Program, What's in the tests
- National Assessment Program, Public demonstration site
- ACARA, NAPLAN National Results