⭐ Brightstarbrightstarprep.com
The NAPLAN Prep Checklist
A term-by-term guide for parents of Year 3 and Year 5 students · NAPLAN runs in March
Before you start: NAPLAN is a point-in-time check, not a pass-or-fail exam. ACARA doesn't expect children to study for it. The aim of this checklist is simple — steady familiarity so your child walks in calm, not crammed.
Term 4 (Oct–Dec)FOUNDATIONS · ~5 MONTHS OUT
Read together most days — any book they enjoy counts. Reading is the strongest predictor of NAPLAN performance across every domain.
Notice which areas your child finds hardest (number facts? spelling? writing structure?). Just observe for now.
Introduce short practice — 10–15 minutes, a few times a week. Keep it light and finish on a win.
Avoid mentioning "the test" at all this term. Build skills, not anxiety.
Summer holidays (Dec–Jan)KEEP TICKING OVER
Keep reading. Library visits, audiobooks, comics — it all counts.
Sprinkle in real-world maths: money at the shops, time until we arrive, halving a recipe.
A couple of printable worksheets a week is plenty. Holidays are for resting too.
Encourage any writing at all — a holiday diary, a letter to a grandparent, a story.
Term 1, Weeks 1–4 (Feb)BUILD FAMILIARITY · ~6 WEEKS OUT
Introduce the test format gently: "There's a check-in coming up — let's have a look at what the questions are like."
Try a few questions in each of the four areas: reading, writing, language conventions, numeracy.
Practise one piece of writing — a narrative and a persuasive — and talk through what makes each work.
Make sure your child is comfortable typing, if they'll be sitting the test online.
Focus practice on the one or two weakest areas rather than everything at once.
Term 1, Weeks 5–6 (early March)DRESS REHEARSAL · ~2 WEEKS OUT
Do one full timed practice test so the length and pace feel familiar. Once is enough.
Talk through test-day strategy: skip a hard question and come back, don't panic, check your work if there's time.
Review mistakes together — the conversation about a wrong answer is where the learning happens.
Ease off. Practice should be winding down, not ramping up.
Test week (mid-March)CALM & CONFIDENT
Stop all practice. Nothing learned this week will change the result.
Prioritise sleep, breakfast, and a normal routine — these matter more than revision.
Say the one thing that matters: "Just do your best. I'm proud of you either way."
Keep your own nerves invisible. Children read our anxiety more than our words.
If your child is anxious, remind them: it's a check-in to help their teacher, not a judgement of them.
After the test (July–Aug)RESULTS ARRIVE
Read the report area by area, not as one overall grade.
Remember the four levels: Exceeding, Strong, Developing, Needs additional support.
Book a short chat with the teacher if anything surprises you.
Pick one area to focus on next — and start the cycle again, gently.