How do you prepare for NAPLAN?

A calm, sensible approach to NAPLAN preparation — familiarity with the online format, steady everyday reading and maths, and why over-coaching does more harm than good.

By the Test Academy Reviews editorial team Last reviewed June 2026

NAPLAN preparation is one of the few areas where doing less is doing better. Because it’s a snapshot of everyday literacy and numeracy — not a pass/fail or entry exam — the goal is a calm, familiar child, not a drilled one.

Familiarity with the format comes first

The single most useful thing you can do is make sure your child is comfortable with the online format. Because NAPLAN is delivered on screen (and adaptive, except Year 3 Writing on paper), a child who’s never seen the interface can lose time just figuring out the tools.

Use the official public demonstration site, which shows the question types and on-screen features. A short, relaxed go-through — so the buttons, navigation and answer formats feel familiar — is far more valuable than hours of content drilling.

Keep up steady everyday learning

Beyond format familiarity, the best preparation is simply good everyday habits, which help across every NSW test, not just NAPLAN:

Read widely and often — 20 minutes a day across different kinds of texts, talked about together. See improving your child’s reading.
Practise everyday maths — number sense through cooking, money, games and puzzles, not endless worksheets.
Write a little — for genuine reasons, like a story, a list or a message.

This steady, low-key work builds the underlying skills NAPLAN measures, without any sense of cramming.

Why over-coaching backfires

Here’s the honest part: intensive NAPLAN coaching tends to add stress without much benefit. NAPLAN is a snapshot, not a verdict (NAPLAN bands explained), so treating it as a high-stakes hurdle can make children anxious and actually undermine performance. A relaxed, well-rested child almost always does themselves more justice than an over-prepared, worried one.

Keep it in proportion

A good night’s sleep, a normal breakfast, a quick reminder that it’s just a check-in on how things are going — that’s the right tone. Familiarity with the online format, steady learning, and low stakes: that’s all most children need to walk into NAPLAN comfortable and capable.

Frequently asked questions

Should I get a tutor for NAPLAN?

For most children, no. NAPLAN is a snapshot of everyday literacy and numeracy, not a high-stakes entry exam, so intensive tutoring usually isn't warranted. Familiarity with the online format and steady learning at home are enough. Tutoring is better reserved for a specific, ongoing learning need than for NAPLAN itself.

How can my child get used to the NAPLAN online format?

Use the official public demonstration site, which shows the question types and on-screen tools. A short go-through so the interface feels familiar is genuinely helpful — far more so than drilling content. Keep it brief and pressure-free.