Last time students put pen to paper for NAPLAN

THOUSANDS of students across the country will pick up pens today to complete the NAPLAN test for the last time.

Students are doing their NAPLAN tests today. Picture: Peter Holt

THOUSANDS of students across the country will pick up pens today to complete the NAPLAN test for the last time.

The NAPLAN, a national literary and numeracy test for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 since 2008, has not been scrapped - it will though be the last year the tests are completed using pen and paper.

From 2017 the tests move to a computer-based online assessment format.

The aim is to provide “better, more precise results and faster turnaround of information”, the NAPLAN website states. It will also allow for “tailored testing” more suited to a student’s ability.

This means the tests will be able to direct students to less or more challenging questions as they progress, offering a more detailed report of the student’s level in relation to students of a similar age across the country.

As well as an individual report, the test results also give feedback to schools on areas where they may need to focus their classroom studies.

The way the tests will be delivered is still to be decided.