NAPLAN

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about NAPLAN tutoring

• What is NAPLAN?

  NAPLAN stands for National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy. It’s a series of assessment tests that Australian students take in years 3, 5, 7 and 9. NAPLAN tests cover reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.

• How can NumberWorks'nWords help with NAPLAN tutoring?

  At NumberWorks'nWords, we provide tailored tutoring for English and maths programs aimed at improving knowledge, comprehension and exam skills for when your child sits the NAPLAN. Our tutoring programs are developed in line with your child's school curriculum to facilitate greater comprehension and retention of concepts learnt at school.

• How does NAPLAN tutoring work with NumberWorks'nWords?

  When you meet with our tutors for NAPLAN tuition, we will first conduct a free assessment to identify the strengths, weaknesses and knowledge gaps of your child. From these results, we develop a personalised tuition plan with your tutor for NAPLAN, which includes a series of goals to work towards across the year, and is tailored to the capacity and ability of your child.

• What is the importance of good NAPLAN results for my child's education?

  The NAPLAN is a test that acts as a ‘snapshot’ of your child's learning ability. A strong NAPLAN result can identify to teachers that your child could benefit from an extension program for further learning. It also teaches your child important foundational skills on how to work under exam conditions and implement effective study routines to set themselves up for success in future exams like the HSC.

  NumberWorks'nWords tutors are located across Australia. Explore our locations to find a tutor near you. Contact us today to unlock your child's full potential.

• Why are NAPLAN results so important?

  NAPLAN is intended to assess the performance and identify the needs of Australian schools. However, many schools and other education providers take advantage of the standardised nature of NAPLAN and use test scores as part of their student selection process. NAPLAN results are important for your child’s confidence levels and future options.

• What can NAPLAN results tell parents?

  As well as helping your child get into the school of their choice, the NAPLAN test can give you a good overview of your child’s academic performance – not just within their school, but across the whole country.

  NAPLAN also helps you to understand your child’s strengths and weaknesses, which lets you know whether after-school NAPLAN tutoring might be a good idea. Some students need help with both maths and English, others benefit from a focused effort in one area only.

• How can you help your children perform to their potential for NAPLAN?

  The NAPLAN tests cover material taught in general classwork, so the key to success is mastering each topic as the year progresses. As a parent, you need to know how your child is performing so that any areas of weakness can be addressed before they become major projects.

  Don’t leave it until the last minute, because real learning that involves long-term memory requires steady work. We recommend supplementing your child’s learning at school with a targeted NAPLAN tutoring programme at NumberWorks’nWords. 

  After an assessment to see where your child needs help, NumberWorks'nWords provides tailored NAPLAN tuition that builds knowledge, skills and confidence.

• Do you need help interpreting NAPLAN results?

  When we (today’s parents) went to school, tests were marked out of 100. Simple! Schools have now largely replaced the marks-based assessment method with a more subjective, criteria-based assessment.

  Your child's NAPLAN performance, shown by the black dot, is rated on a scale of 10 bands for each test. This scale shows their current level of competency, with each year level having a defined minimum standard band. For example, the minimum standard for Year 3 is Band 2 and for Year 5 is Band 4. The report you will receive will generally show 6 of the 10 bands that are relevant to the specific year level. The important thing to note is where your child's result falls on the displayed scale.

  The second lowest band on your report is the National Minimum Standard for the year. If you’re seeing a result in the bottom two bands, your child needs help urgently. They are only just or not even achieving the minimum standard. Even on a bad day, an average student will be well above these bands. The other thing to note is how your child’s result compares with the national average, as shown by the triangle. A result below this triangle indicates the need for targeted support.