NAPLAN Practice Tests 2027: Complete Parent Guide to Dates, Prices & Preparation

NAPLAN practice tests help Australian students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 get comfortable with the format, timing and question styles of the real National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy before test day. This guide explains what NAPLAN is, when NAPLAN 2027 takes place, what is being talked about right now, how practice should (and should not) be used, and exactly what Test Champs NAPLAN practice tests cost for every year level.

NAPLAN 2027 runs from Wednesday 10 March to Monday 22 March 2027. Test Champs offers online, timed, automatically marked NAPLAN practice tests for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 with instant access: individual tests from $8 and four-test bundles from $28. Writing tasks are marked by experienced teachers. Families can start with a free trial before buying.

What is NAPLAN? Plain-English definitions

If you are new to NAPLAN, or you want the exact terms used by schools and reports, these short definitions cover the essentials. For a deeper explainer, see our parents’ guide to understanding NAPLAN and our article on the new NAPLAN reporting.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN stands for National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy. It is an annual national assessment sat by students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 to show whether they are meeting key literacy and numeracy goals. It is a point-in-time snapshot and complements, rather than replaces, classroom assessment.

The four NAPLAN domains

Students are tested in Reading, Writing (narrative or persuasive), Conventions of Language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and Numeracy.

NAPLAN practice test

A NAPLAN practice test is an unofficial, exam-style set of questions written to mirror the NAPLAN format, timing and question types so a student can practise before the real assessment. Test Champs practice tests are independent of ACARA, the body that runs NAPLAN.

Online and adaptive (tailored) testing

NAPLAN is completed online on a school device (Year 3 students sit the writing test on paper). The online reading, conventions and numeracy tests are adaptive: the test adjusts the difficulty of later questions based on how a student answers earlier ones.

Proficiency levels

Since 2023, results are reported against four proficiency levels: Exceeding, Strong, Developing and Needs additional support. Each level describes what a student at that stage typically demonstrates.

Test window

Since 2023 NAPLAN has been held in a nine-day window in March (it used to be in May). Writing is scheduled on day one of the window.

NAPLAN 2027 dates and what parents are asking right now

Searches and news coverage in October 2026 cluster around a few themes: the confirmed 2027 dates, what the 2026 results showed, how to read proficiency levels, and when to start preparing. Here is each one in brief. For a year-ahead overview, read our NAPLAN 2027: what parents need to know and how to prepare for NAPLAN 2027.

1. NAPLAN 2027 is confirmed for 10–22 March

The NSW Department of Education and the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority both list the 2027 window as Wednesday 10 March to Monday 22 March 2027. Schools set their own session timetable inside that window, so confirm your child’s test days with the school. The QCAA also notes that Eid al-Fitr falls inside the 2027 window, so families who observe it should speak to their school early.

2. What the 2026 NAPLAN results showed

ACARA released the 2026 national results on 5 August 2026. According to its media release, overall results were broadly stable at national level, with no reportable change in average scores compared with 2025 or 2023, while numeracy showed improvements in the proportion of students meeting proficiency standards in Years 5, 7 and 9. ACARA also attached a caveat to the 2026 writing results for Years 5, 7 and 9. Individual student reports reach families through schools, not directly from ACARA.

3. Reading the four proficiency levels

Many parents search for what “Developing” or “Strong” actually means. In short, a result is a snapshot of one day, and the most useful next step is to talk to your child’s teacher about which skills to build. If a result is lower than expected, targeted practice on the weaker domain is more helpful than repeating everything.

4. When to start preparing

For a March test, Term 4 and the summer break are a natural time to begin light, regular practice. Starting early lets children build familiarity gradually instead of cramming. Our NAPLAN 2027 parents’ guide sets out a week-by-week approach.

How NAPLAN practice tests help – and how much is enough

Practice tests are most useful for three things: familiarity with the on-screen format, time management under a countdown, and spotting weak areas early. They are not a substitute for classroom learning, and they will not “fix” a skill gap overnight.

A balanced view: Many schools and education departments advise against excessive NAPLAN preparation, and the tests are designed to be a low-pressure snapshot. We agree. The goal of practice is confidence and familiarity, not drilling. A few well-chosen timed tests across all four domains is usually plenty.

What good practice looks like

• Short and regular. One timed test per week beats a weekend marathon. See how to practise NAPLAN tests online the smart way.
• Cover all four domains. Reading, Conventions of Language, Numeracy and Writing each need attention. Our tips on boosting NAPLAN reading scores are a good place to start.
• Know both writing genres. Students may be asked for narrative or persuasive writing. Read about the two NAPLAN writing genres and how NAPLAN writing is assessed.
• Review, don’t just score. Use results to identify areas for improvement, then revisit only those skills.
• Keep it positive. Praise effort, not just marks, and stop if your child is tired or anxious.

How Test Champs NAPLAN practice tests work

Test Champs is an Australian provider of online NAPLAN and selective school practice tests. Our tests are written by experienced teachers who track changes to NAPLAN, including the move from paper to online, so that practice stays as close to the real format as possible. Our team has more than 20 years of experience in Western Australian education, and we serve families across NSW, VIC, QLD, WA and SA. Here is how it works:

1. Choose a test or bundle for your child’s year level (Year 3, 5, 7 or 9) on our pricing page.
2. Get instant access through the online student portal. There is nothing to print.
3. Sit timed tests. The countdown starts automatically, which builds awareness that tests must be finished within a set time.
4. Receive results straight away. Reading, conventions and numeracy tests are automatically marked, with clear answers and solutions, so there is no marking for parents or tutors.
5. Get teacher feedback on writing. Writing tasks are reviewed, marked and graded by experienced teachers, typically within 2–3 business days. Each writing prompt allows one submission.
6. Track progress with the detailed progress report parents receive at the end of the tests.

Why parents choose Test Champs

• Try before you buy: a free trial and free sample questions for each learning area.
• Affordable: individual tests start at $8 and bundles at $28.
• Exam-like conditions: timed, online and aligned to the NAPLAN question styles.
• Teacher-marked writing: real feedback, not just a score.
• Clear structure: separate pricing pages for each year level and state. See why choose us for more detail.

Not sure where to begin? Browse our FAQ or contact the team.

NAPLAN practice test pricing: Years 3, 5, 7 and 9

Below is the full price list for Test Champs NAPLAN practice tests, taken from our year-level pricing pages. Every bundle includes four tests (Writing, Reading Comprehension, Language Conventions and Numeracy). You can also buy any test on its own. Prices were checked on 22 October 2026 and may change, so confirm on the year-level page before you buy.

Is a bundle better value? Buying one of each test individually would cost about $32 for Years 3 and 5 and about $42 for Years 7 and 9 (using one writing prompt). A bundle costs $28 and $32 respectively, so it saves roughly $4 in the primary years and $10 in the secondary years.

Year 3 NAPLAN practice tests – prices and details

Year 3 students sit Reading, Conventions of Language, Numeracy and Writing. See also our Year 3 test-day guide and the complete Year 3 practice test guide.

Year 5 NAPLAN practice tests – prices and details

Year 5 tests are slightly longer than Year 3. Read how online Year 5 practice helps and our guide to mastering Year 5 NAPLAN with targeted practice.

Year 7 NAPLAN practice tests – prices and details

Year 7 is a big step up in length and complexity, which is why many families start early. Learn why Year 7 NAPLAN practice is important and see our Year 7 parents’ guide.

Year 9 NAPLAN practice tests – prices and details

Year 9 practice mirrors the longest, most demanding NAPLAN papers. Our Year 9 parents’ handbook and the guide to Year 9 language conventions practice explain how to use them.

A simple NAPLAN preparation plan

Use this light, flexible plan for a March test. Adjust it to suit your child’s confidence and school workload.

1. Term 4 (now): get familiar. Try the free trial and a NAPLAN demo test so the screen layout and tools feel normal.
2. Summer break: build habits. One short timed test a week, rotating through Reading, Conventions, Numeracy and Writing.
3. Early Term 1: target weak spots. Look at which question types lost marks and practise those, not everything.
4. Two weeks before: one full run-through. Do a complete bundle under timed conditions, then stop. Rest, sleep and routine matter more now.
5. Test week: stay calm. Keep routines normal and remind your child that NAPLAN is a snapshot, not a pass or fail exam.

NAPLAN vs selective school tests

NAPLAN and selective school entrance tests are different assessments. NAPLAN is a national literacy and numeracy snapshot for all students. Selective and scholarship tests are competitive entry exams run by each state or school. In NSW, for example, the Selective High School Placement Test and Opportunity Class Placement Test are sat separately from NAPLAN, and from 2026 they are held only in NSW. The NSW Department of Education also states that coaching is not necessary for opportunity class entry, so practice should be about familiarity and confidence.

If your child is aiming for a selective or scholarship place, Test Champs also offers state-specific practice tests: the Selective High School Placement Test in NSW, IGNITE in South Australia, GATE and ASET in Western Australia, plus Victorian and Queensland options. Parents receive a report at the end of the tests. Selective test bundles start from $60.

• Overview: Selective school practice tests
• Pricing by state: NSW · VIC · QLD · SA · WA
• NSW guide: Selective High School Placement practice tests (parents’ guide)
• WA guide: GATE practice tests: the complete guide
• SA guide: How to use IGNITE practice tests

Families in Western Australia can also explore in-person small-group tuition classes for NAPLAN, GATE and ATAR.

Frequently asked questions about NAPLAN practice tests