If your child or students are gearing up for NAPLAN, you’ve probably heard that the tests look a little different this year, and for good reason. Recent updates aim to make assessments fairer, faster, and more meaningful for both schools and families.

Interestingly, a Frontiers in Education study revealed that while most Year 3 and 5 students feel fine about NAPLAN, nearly one in four still experience stress or anxiety around the test. These findings remind us that understanding the new system isn’t just about results, it’s about helping students feel confident and supported through the process.

In this guide, we’ll break down what’s changed, what it means for schools and students, and how everyone can prepare without the pressure.

A Quick Summary

• NAPLAN is evolving: The 2025 updates bring earlier testing dates, faster results, and clearer reporting formats.

• March testing: Shifting from May to March allows schools to use results to guide teaching sooner.

• Simplified scoring: The old 10-band scale is now replaced with four levels — Exceeding, Strong, Developing, and Needs Additional Support.

• Digital-first approach: All tests are now online, making the process smoother and more adaptive for students.

• Purpose-focused learning: NAPLAN aims to identify learning needs early, not to label performance.

• FunFox helps: With year-round literacy and writing programs, FunFox helps children build the confidence and skills that go beyond NAPLAN scores.

What Is NAPLAN?

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment designed to measure how well Australian students are developing essential reading, writing, language, and numeracy skills. It’s taken by students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 across all states and territories.

Rather than acting as a “pass or fail” exam, NAPLAN provides schools, teachers, and parents with insights into student progress and the effectiveness of learning programs. The goal is to ensure every child receives the right support to reach key educational milestones.

NAPLAN focuses on:

• Reading: Understanding written texts and interpreting meaning.

• Writing: Structuring ideas clearly and coherently.

• Language conventions: Using correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

• Numeracy: Solving mathematical problems and applying logic.

Why It’s Important to Understand NAPLAN Changes

With the latest reforms, NAPLAN looks and feels different from past years, and knowing these updates helps both educators and families prepare effectively.

Here’s why it matters:

• Better preparation for students: Understanding the new structure reduces anxiety and boosts confidence on test day.

• Informed teaching strategies: Teachers can adapt lesson plans to align with updated assessment goals and proficiency standards.

• Improved communication with parents: Clear understanding helps families support home learning more meaningfully.

• Data that reflects true learning progress: The new system emphasizes growth over grades, helping schools track development across key learning areas.

• Reduced stress and confusion: Awareness helps shift focus from “test pressure” to skill-building and confidence.

Understanding these aspects of NAPLAN ensures that both teachers and families see the assessment for what it truly is: a tool for growth, not pressure.

Want to learn what’s changing and why it matters? Keep reading our guide, NAPLAN Explained 2025: What Every Parent in Australia Should Know.

Now, let’s take a closer look at what’s changing in NAPLAN, how it compares to the previous format, and what the earlier testing dates mean for schools and students.

What’s Changing in NAPLAN and Why It Matters

Over the past few years, NAPLAN has undergone major updates to make the testing process more efficient, supportive, and aligned with real classroom learning. The goal is to move away from “high-stakes” testing and focus more on each student’s growth and progress.

Make NAPLAN prep easier with FunFox and give your child a fun start to better reading.

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Here’s what’s new:

• Earlier Testing Dates: NAPLAN now takes place in March instead of May, giving teachers and families earlier insight into student performance. This change allows schools to use results within the same academic year to adjust learning plans, not months later when it’s too late to intervene.

• New Proficiency Levels: Instead of old bands and national minimum standards, NAPLAN now reports results under four simplified categories: Exceeding, Strong, Developing, and Needs Additional Support. This makes it easier for parents to understand where their child stands and what support may be needed.

• Fully Online Testing: Almost all schools now complete NAPLAN online, which means adaptive questions that adjust to each child’s skill level. It reduces stress, gives faster results, and provides a more accurate measure of what students can do.

• Quicker Results for Schools: Results are now available earlier in the year, helping teachers plan better-targeted lessons and provide individual support.

• Focus on Growth Over Grades: The changes shift attention from competition to progress, emphasizing how much each student improves rather than how they compare to others.

With these changes in place, understanding how NAPLAN affects classrooms and student wellbeing becomes even more important. 

Let’s explore how schools and families can adapt to make the most of the new NAPLAN format.

How Schools and Students Can Adapt to the New NAPLAN Format

Adapting to the new NAPLAN structure doesn’t mean overhauling teaching methods; it’s about using the changes to strengthen everyday learning. When schools, families, and students understand how the system works, preparation becomes smoother and less stressful.

Here’s how to make the most of the new format:

• Integrate Reading and Numeracy Practice Daily: Teachers can weave short reading comprehension and number problem exercises into daily lessons. Regular exposure helps students apply skills naturally rather than cramming before the test.

• Use Data for Early Intervention: With results arriving earlier, schools can quickly identify where students need support. This allows timely intervention, whether through extra reading practice, small-group sessions, or individualized feedback.

• Promote Growth Mindset in Classrooms: Encourage students to see NAPLAN as an opportunity to learn, not a performance measure. Teachers and parents can reinforce the idea that improvement matters more than perfection.

• Encourage Practice in a Relaxed Way: Light activities like reading aloud, vocabulary games, or family maths challenges keep skills sharp without creating pressure.

• Leverage Digital Literacy: Since NAPLAN is now online, giving children practice with typing, navigation, and on-screen reading helps them feel confident with the test format.

• Connect Classroom Learning with NAPLAN Skills: Instead of treating the test as separate, schools can align everyday lessons, such as comprehension tasks or numeracy games, with the skills NAPLAN measures.

Now that we’ve covered how schools and families can adjust, let’s look at how these NAPLAN updates impact students’ confidence and learning outcomes in the long term.

The Impact of NAPLAN Changes on Students and Teachers

The latest NAPLAN reforms are more than just a format update, they aim to make assessments a meaningful part of learning rather than a stressful event. Both students and teachers are already noticing the shift in how results are understood and used.

Here’s how the changes make a difference:

• Less Pressure, More Progress: With new proficiency categories and adaptive online tests, students are being measured against their own growth rather than a fixed standard. This encourages participation and reduces test anxiety.

• Actionable Insights for Teachers: Teachers can now access results earlier in the year, allowing them to tailor instruction and offer focused support. It also helps identify literacy or numeracy gaps before they widen.

• Empowering Parents: Clearer reporting language like “Developing” or “Strong” makes it easier for parents to understand their child’s progress and collaborate with teachers.

• Inclusive Assessment for All Learners: The online platform adjusts difficulty based on student responses, creating a fairer testing experience that recognises varied learning paces and abilities.

• Better Long-Term Learning Outcomes: By focusing on continuous improvement instead of one-time performance, NAPLAN now aligns more closely with classroom goals, making it a useful tool for guiding literacy and numeracy growth throughout the year.

With these positive shifts, the focus now turns to how schools and families can prepare effectively without pressure, making NAPLAN a learning milestone, not a stress point.

Also read: Negatives of NAPLAN in Australia | What Parents Should Know in 2025

Practical Tips for Preparing Students for NAPLAN

Preparing for NAPLAN doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The key is to build literacy and numeracy confidence gradually, through fun, meaningful practice rather than last-minute drilling. Both schools and families can work together to make the experience positive and stress-free.

Here’s how to help students feel ready and confident:

• Focus on Daily Reading and Writing: Encourage children to read aloud, talk about stories, and write short summaries. This strengthens comprehension and expression, both essential for NAPLAN success.

• Use Everyday Maths Practice: Ask students to help with real-life maths, like counting groceries, telling time, or estimating costs. It builds numeracy naturally and keeps learning fun.

• Create a Calm Environment: Avoid excessive test talk. Instead, emphasize that NAPLAN is just a way to understand what they’ve learned so far, not a judgment of ability.

• Celebrate Small Wins: Whether it’s solving a tricky maths problem or spelling a new word, positive reinforcement boosts motivation and self-belief.

• Try Short Practice Sessions: Use sample questions or online quizzes to help students become familiar with the format. Limit sessions to 10–15 minutes to avoid fatigue.

• Promote Healthy Routines: A good night’s sleep, healthy meals, and light physical activity all contribute to focus and confidence during testing days.

• Encourage Curiosity Over Perfection: Remind children that learning is a journey, mistakes help them grow. This mindset reduces anxiety and builds resilience.

Helping Parents Understand the New NAPLAN Changes

One of the biggest factors in making NAPLAN a positive experience is clear communication between schools and families. When parents understand what’s changing and why, they can support their children more effectively and ease unnecessary stress around testing.

Here’s how schools can build strong parent communication:

• Host Information Sessions: Hold short online or in-person sessions explaining the new proficiency levels, online format, and test timing. Visual examples help parents understand reports more easily.

• Share Simplified Guides: Provide one-page summaries or newsletters highlighting what’s different this year. Use plain, friendly language so parents don’t feel overwhelmed by educational jargon.

• Offer Tips for Home Support: Include simple ways families can help at home, such as reading together, playing word games, or practising mental maths in everyday settings.

• Encourage Open Dialogue: Remind parents that NAPLAN is just one measure of progress. Please encourage them to ask questions and share feedback about their child’s learning experience.

• Celebrate Progress, Not Pressure: Highlight that the goal is to build confidence and growth, not perfection. This helps parents shift their focus from test results to long-term learning outcomes.

With stronger communication, families and schools can work as partners to make NAPLAN a supportive milestone rather than a stressful hurdle. 

Supporting Student Success Beyond NAPLAN with FunFox

At FunFox, we believe that education is about more than preparing for a test; it’s about nurturing confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love for learning. While NAPLAN offers valuable insights, the real growth happens through consistent, joyful practice that builds strong literacy and numeracy foundations.

Turn learning into a joyful journey.

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Here’s how FunFox supports that journey:

• Interactive, Skill-Building Programs: Our Readers Club and Writers Club help students strengthen the very literacy and comprehension skills NAPLAN measures, but in a fun, engaging way. Through storytelling, phonics, and creative writing, learning feels natural and exciting.

• Confidence Through Small-Group Learning: With only 3–6 students per class, every child receives personalized guidance and encouragement. This close-knit setting helps children participate freely and gain confidence in expressing ideas.

• Real-Time Feedback and Growth Tracking: FunFox teachers provide immediate, gentle feedback that celebrates progress at every step. Students learn that improvement is ongoing and that mistakes are just part of mastering new skills.

• Practical Learning That Sticks: Instead of test drills, our lessons focus on reading fluency, comprehension, spelling, and writing. These are the very skills that lead to lasting academic success, long after NAPLAN week ends.

• Expert Teachers, Proven Methods: Our passionate educators follow the FunFox Way, blending structured lessons with creative activities that keep learning engaging and relatable for young minds.

• Flexible, Family-Friendly Scheduling: Classes are held once a week online for an hour, perfect for fitting into busy family routines. Recordings are available for review, ensuring no child ever misses out.

• A Supportive Learning Community: Thousands of families across Australia and beyond trust FunFox to make learning enjoyable and empowering. We welcome every child, helping them feel seen, supported, and proud of their progress.

Conclusion

NAPLAN may measure progress, but real learning happens in the moments between the tests, when children discover new words, solve real-world problems, and build confidence in their own abilities. The recent NAPLAN changes remind us that education is not about chasing marks, but about nurturing curiosity, resilience, and the joy of understanding.

At FunFox, we bring that philosophy to life. Through structured, evidence-based reading and writing programs, we help students develop the very skills NAPLAN celebrates, comprehension, vocabulary, critical thinking, and self-expression, but in a way that feels fun and empowering.

Every small step your child takes in reading or writing builds a foundation for lifelong confidence. And that’s the true measure of success.

FAQs

1. What are the main NAPLAN changes in 2025?

The major updates include earlier testing dates in March, a simplified four-band proficiency scale, and fully online assessments. These changes aim to provide faster, clearer insights into student progress.

2. Why was the NAPLAN testing date moved earlier?

Testing now happens in March instead of May to give schools more time to review results and plan targeted support programs for students throughout the year.

3. How does the new proficiency scale work?

The previous 10-band scale has been replaced with four categories, Exceeding, Strong, Developing, and Needs Additional Support. This makes it easier for parents and teachers to understand student performance levels at a glance.

4. Will NAPLAN results affect a student’s grades or promotion?

No. NAPLAN is not a pass-or-fail test. It’s designed to identify strengths and areas for improvement so teachers can adjust their lessons and parents can support learning at home.

5. How does FunFox help students prepare for NAPLAN?

FunFox focuses on long-term skill building through its Readers Club and Writers Club. These small-group programs strengthen reading fluency, comprehension, and writing clarity, the same literacy skills NAPLAN assesses, but in a fun, engaging way that builds confidence year-round.