How to approach NAPLAN test day
NAPLAN exams are a crucial part of the Australian education system. As a parent or teacher, you’ll likely want to ensure that your children or students are well prepared for the day, to boost their performance as well as their confidence. To help, we’ve put together some tips on how to approach NAPLAN test day for the best possible results.
First things first…what’s NAPLAN again?
Taken by students in every state and territory across the country, the online test is designed to evaluate students’ reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. As a standardised test, it is administered to Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 students by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). It uses both multiple choice and written exercises to create a clear picture of achievement and knowledge.
While ACARA doesn’t promote studying for the tests, with the main intention of NAPLAN being to provide a snapshot of how schools and students in different areas are performing in relation to the rest of the country, it is still beneficial to be well prepared for assessment day.
After all, these results are used as a benchmark for entry into many selective schools across the country. Also, knowing how to behave in exam conditions and how to study effectively for a test will set students up well for future exams, such as Higher School Certificate and for some, University.
How to prepare
Preparation is key to achieving good results. Encourage your child or student to practise with NAPLAN past tests, which can be found on the NAPLAN website, and with practice material, of which there is much on EPs platform. These resources will help them understand the question types and exam format.
Education Perfect’s content uses current information and material to create papers that appear and act like the past tests, providing an authentic NAPLAN examination experience. Parents and teachers could provide these within quiet, strict(ish), exam-like conditions to further the experience.
Mental and physical preparation for NAPLAN
Here are some ways to ensure students are physically and mentally prepared for NAPLAN test time.
- Parents can make sure children get a good night’s sleep on the night before an exam and also in the nights leading up to it.
- Practise deep breathing and relaxation techniques in class or at home to help students stay calm for test day.
- Allow plenty of space for students to express their nervousness and anxiety in class or at home so that it doesn’t build up and become a problem on the day.
- Physical exercise can help reduce stress levels. Even getting out for a walk between study sessions will help.
- Eat a nutritious breakfast on exam morning and a hearty dinner the night before.
- Try not to elaborate too much on the importance of the exams, instead providing support and preparation to instil confidence.
Reading and understanding questions
For some students, it can be difficult to understand what the questions are asking of them. For this reason, reading questions carefully is fundamental to achieving good results. Encourage your child or student to read questions two times over before answering. Underlining key words can also help them understand what is being asked. This is also a case of practice makes perfect as many NAPLAN test questions will use similar syntax and wording.
Effective answering techniques
NAPLAN tests include multiple choice questions that may seem easy at first glance, but can be tricky. Encourage your child or student to read all the options before selecting an answer. Eliminate options that are obviously incorrect before making a selection. For writing questions, encourage them to plan their response before writing and to use examples to support their points.
How much study to do
It is important to have a balance between study and rest. Too much study can lead to burnout, while not enough can lead to poor results. Encourage your child or student to have a study plan leading up to the exams and to follow it, but they shouldn’t completely forego the activities that bring them joy – like sports or time with friends – as these will keep them active and happy.
For teachers, it’s also important to provide some fun times and break out sessions in class, between study sessions, to keep morale high and allow students to converse with each other and share ideas.
The amount of study required should also be in accordance with their year level. Year 3 students, for example, shouldn’t be pushed too hard for their first NAPLAN test. Their study should focus on learning how to take the test and deciphering what it is asking of them. Year 9 students will focus more on the topics included in the test and how to best show their knowledge on test day.
Planned prep is good prep
There’s no getting away from the fact that preparing for NAPLAN tests is crucial to achieving good results. Encourage your child or student to use all available resources, stay calm and focused, and practise effective techniques.
Remember, NAPLAN exams are only a snapshot of a student’s performance and should not be the sole factor in determining academic ability. There will be plenty more opportunities for learners to show what they can do without time pressure and the formality of national tests. With the right preparation and mindset – and a bit of help from parents and teachers – students can excel in their academic pursuits.
