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NAPLAN Year 9: timetable, calculator rules and what to expect

In Year 9, NAPLAN is online: writing 42 minutes, reading 65, conventions of language 45 and numeracy 65. The numeracy test starts without a calculator, then an on-screen calculator becomes active.

Last checked against the official sources.

Year 9 sits four online tests: writing 42 minutes, reading 65, conventions of language 45, numeracy 65. The numeracy test begins calculator-free. Students are not expected to study.

Year 9 timetable, 2027

Test Minutes How
Writing 42 Online, day 1
Reading 65 Online, tailored
Conventions of language 45 Online, tailored
Numeracy 65 Online, tailored

Writing must start on day 1, Wednesday 10 March 2027, with day 2 only used where there are technical or logistical limitations.

Calculator rules

Questions at the beginning of the numeracy test do not allow the calculator. Students are alerted once they reach the point where the calculator becomes active. The NAP site says an online calculator is available for the remaining items. Students use the on-screen calculator. Personal calculators and rulers are not allowed in the test area, except where approved as a disability adjustment, and once the calculator becomes active students cannot go back to the calculator-free questions.

How NAPLAN is used

ACARA says NAPLAN is one part of a school's assessment and reporting. It does not replace ongoing teacher assessments, but it gives teachers extra information about progress. Schools, education systems and the community, through My School, also use results.

Year 9 is the last NAPLAN year. Your child will not sit it again.

In Western Australia, Year 9 NAPLAN results can pre-qualify a student for parts of the OLNA. See Category 3 and NAPLAN pre-qualification.

Preparing

ACARA says students are not expected to study and does not recommend excessive preparation or coaching providers. Your Year 9 child can look at the official demonstration site to see the tools. For optional practice, see NAPLAN practice. ExamExplained is run alongside a tutoring business. Our practice items are original, not official, and not endorsed by ACARA.

Results

Your child's report comes through the school later in the year. Your child's Year 3 report from 2021 was on the old scale, so compare the Year 5, Year 7 and Year 9 reports. See how to read the report.

Checked against the NAP site and ACARA's 2027 brochure on 7 October 2026.

Attribution: © Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) 2011 to present, unless otherwise indicated. This material was downloaded from the National Assessment Program website (www.nap.edu.au) (accessed 7 October 2026) and was modified. The material is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). ACARA does not endorse any product that uses ACARA material or make any representations as to the quality of such products. Any product that uses ACARA's material should not be taken to be affiliated with ACARA or have the sponsorship or approval of ACARA. It is up to each person to make their own assessment of the product.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a calculator in Year 9 NAPLAN numeracy?
Yes, for part of it. The NAP site says questions at the beginning of the Year 7 and Year 9 numeracy tests do not allow the calculator, and students are alerted when the calculator becomes active.
Is Year 9 NAPLAN important for later school years?
It shows how your child is going in literacy and numeracy at that point. ACARA says it is just one part of a school's assessment and does not replace teachers' ongoing assessments. In Western Australia, Year 9 NAPLAN results can pre-qualify a student for parts of the OLNA. Check SCSA and your school, and your state authority for any other senior school requirements.

Sources