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Understand NAPLAN4 min read

NAPLAN test format and timetable: minutes for each year level

NAPLAN has four tests, sat in this order: writing, reading, conventions of language, then numeracy. Time allowed ranges from 40 to 65 minutes a test, depending on the test and year level.

Last checked against the official sources.

Four tests, always in this order: writing, reading, conventions of language, numeracy. Everything is online except Year 3 writing, which is on paper. Minutes depend on the test and year level, as set by ACARA for 2027.

Minutes by year level, 2027

These are the durations in ACARA's 2027 information for parents and carers and its test window infographic.

Test Year 3 Year 5 Year 7 Year 9
Writing 40 (paper) 42 42 42
Reading 45 50 65 65
Conventions of language 45 45 45 45
Numeracy 45 50 65 65

Adding those up, the total test time is 175 minutes in Year 3, 187 in Year 5 and 217 in Years 7 and 9. That is spread over several days, with breaks set by the school. The table widget below shows the Year 5 version, with other years in its notes.

The order is fixed

ACARA's brochure says the tests must be completed in order: writing, then reading, then conventions of language, then numeracy. Schools schedule them as soon as possible in the window, preferring mornings over afternoons.

Writing has special rules about day 1. See 2027 dates.

Catch-up days

If your child is absent, the school may arrange for missed tests to be completed at another time during its test schedule. ACARA's national protocols allow individual Year 3 writing catch-ups from day 2 until the end of Monday 15 March 2027, and catch-ups for every other test until the end of Monday 22 March 2027. A child who is sick cannot sit the tests at home.

Key fact

Each student answers a fixed number of questions in each online test. ACARA's Assessment Framework lists them: reading 39 (Years 3 and 5) or 48 (Years 7 and 9); numeracy 36, 42, 48 and 48; conventions of language 52 (25 spelling, then 27 grammar and punctuation). Because the tests are tailored, two children can see different questions, but the same number of them. See online adaptive testing.

Question types

According to the NAP site, questions include multiple choice and technology-enhanced types such as drag-and-drop, hot-text and hot-spot, with text entry in conventions and numeracy. The official demonstration site lets your child see the tools.

Checked against the NAP site and ACARA documents 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.

Test format

Online; reading, conventions and numeracy are tailored; Year 3 writing on paper. Year 5 shown, other years in the notes

Sections, questions and timing
SectionQuestionsMinutes
WritingYear 3: 40 minutes, on paper, day 1 only. Years 5, 7 and 9: 42 minutes, online.1 writing prompt (narrative or persuasive)42
ReadingYear 3: 39 questions, 45 minutes. Year 5: 39, 50 minutes. Years 7 and 9: 48, 65 minutes.39 questions (13 in each of 3 stages)50
Conventions of language45 minutes at every year level. Spelling cannot be revisited once grammar and punctuation starts.52 questions (25 spelling, 27 grammar and punctuation)45
NumeracyYear 3: 36 questions, 45 minutes. Year 5: 42, 50 minutes. Years 7 and 9: 48, 65 minutes, with a non-calculator start.42 questions (14 in each of 3 stages)50
Total time187

Question counts are from the NAPLAN Assessment Framework (Tables 2 to 4); minutes are from the NAP information brochure for parents and carers. Total is for Year 5. Year 3 is 175 minutes and Years 7 and 9 are 217 minutes. Tests are sat in this order within the 9 day window.

Official source, checked 7 October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

In what order are the NAPLAN tests sat?
Writing first, then reading, then conventions of language (spelling, then grammar and punctuation), then numeracy. Schools must schedule the tests in that order within the testing window.
How long is each NAPLAN test?
For 2027, writing is 40 minutes in Year 3 and 42 in Years 5, 7 and 9. Reading is 45, 50, 65 and 65. Conventions of language is 45 at every level. Numeracy is 45, 50, 65 and 65.

Sources