How to Prepare for NAPLAN?

Preparing for NAPLAN does not need to be overwhelming. The best approach is to build strong skills through regular reading, writing, spelling, numeracy and NAPLAN practice. Students should also become familiar with the NAPLAN test format so they know what to expect on the day.

Start preparation early with short, regular study sessions rather than trying to learn everything at once. Practice questions can help students understand different question types, manage their time and feel more confident when completing the test.

NAPLAN checks how students apply their literacy and numeracy skills in different types of questions and tasks. Understanding what each section involves can help students focus their preparation on the right skills. The test assesses four key areas of learning:

Students read different types of texts and answer questions to show their understanding.

Students respond to a given prompt by writing a narrative or persuasive text.

Students are assessed on spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Students use maths skills and problem-solving to answer different questions.

A balanced NAPLAN preparation plan should cover all four areas.

Students do not need to spend hours studying each day. Regular practice that focuses on their weaker areas can be more useful. Help your child prepare for NAPLAN with these simple and practical steps:

Reading regularly is one of the simplest ways to support NAPLAN preparation. Encourage your child to read different types of texts, including stories, information texts, articles and poems.

After reading, ask questions about the text. For example, ask your child to explain the main idea, identify important details or explain why something happened.
Students can also improve language skills by practising:

• Spelling commonly used words
• Grammar and sentence structure
• Punctuation
• Word meanings and vocabulary
• Writing complete and clear sentences

Writing practice can help students organise their ideas and communicate them clearly. Give them simple topics and ask them to write a response within a set amount of time. Students can practise both persuasive and narrative writing.

Encourage them to plan their ideas before writing and check their spelling, punctuation and sentence structure afterwards. The focus should be on expressing ideas clearly rather than trying to use complicated words.

Numeracy is another important part of NAPLAN preparation. Students should revise the maths skills they are learning at school and practise applying them to different problems. Useful areas include:

• Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
• Fractions, decimals and percentages
• Measurement and geometry
• Patterns and number problems
• Graphs and data
• Problem-solving and reasoning

Word problems are especially useful because students need to understand the question before choosing how to solve it.

NAPLAN practice helps students become familiar with different question styles. It also gives them a chance to identify mistakes and understand which areas need more work. Start with untimed questions so your child can focus on accuracy. As the NAPLAN test gets closer, introduce short timed activities to help them become comfortable working within a set time.

After each practice session, review incorrect answers. Ask your child to explain how they reached their answer and what they could do differently next time.

Knowing how to approach questions can make NAPLAN practice more useful. Students should learn to read each question carefully and avoid spending too much time on one difficult question. Useful strategies include:

• Read the whole question before answering
• Look at all answer options carefully
• Remove options that are clearly incorrect
• Move on from a difficult question and return to it later
• Check answers when there is time
• Follow instructions carefully

Practising these habits before test day can help students feel more comfortable with the test format.

Parents do not need to turn home into another classroom. Small learning activities can be included in everyday routines. You can support your child by:

• Reading together
• Asking questions about what they have read
• Using everyday maths activities
• Encouraging regular writing
• Setting short practice sessions
• Reviewing mistakes without criticism
• Praising effort and progress

A calm approach is important. If a child is worried about NAPLAN, listen to their concerns and reassure them that they only need to try their best.

NAPLAN tutoring may be useful when a student needs extra support with reading, writing, language skills or numeracy. It can also help students who lack confidence with timed questions or need more practice with the online test format.

A tutor can identify areas that need improvement and create practice activities around those skills. This allows students to work at a suitable pace while building confidence.

Effective NAPLAN preparation is about building skills consistently rather than relying on last-minute study. Regular practice, strong literacy and numeracy skills, familiarity with the test format, and a calm approach can help students feel more prepared for the NAPLAN test.

Emu Education offers tutoring in Melbourne for students from Years 2 to 12. Qualified tutors provide support across all subjects, including NAPLAN, with learning focused on strengthening key skills and building student confidence.

If your child needs additional support with NAPLAN preparation, we can help them prepare through structured learning and targeted practice. Call us on 0479 190 *** or send us an email at info@emueducation.com.au for more information.