NAPLAN testing to begin this week

Thousands of students are preparing to sit NAPLAN tests online for the first time this week but could you answer these sample questions?

Thousands of Victorian students will sit NAPLAN tests online for the first time this week, with digital security beefed up to combat cheating.

Controls on school web browsers have been tightened as every student across years 3, 5, 7 and 9 prepares for the standardised assessment from Tuesday.

The national testing body has blocked online dictionary and problem-solving websites, such as Grammarly, which uses artificial intelligence to correct spelling, grammar and punctuation.

A secure locked-down web browser blocking access to prohibited sites will be installed on every student’s device.

The move to online assessment comes after just one in 20 students used a computer to complete the test in 2018.

Australian Curriculum, ­Assessment and Reporting Authority chief executive David de Carvalho said the use of devices in classrooms for NAPLAN had been trialled.

“Extensive” tests picked up a software update that allowed students to install Grammarly on their Macbooks to work for any application, but this had been stamped out for the ­national assessment.

“That’s the kind of thing that we’re constantly quite vigilant about. It’s very important that we block access to those sites for the purpose of maintaining the integrity of the test so that everybody’s on a level playing field,” he said.

It will also be the first time students will be given questions that match their ability.

This means a student who answers more questions correctly in the first testing stage will ­receive different questions to students who answer questions incorrectly.

Curtin University’s Karen Murcia said the online test was “a better tool for identifying the diversity evident among groups of students achieving at the same level”.

“Online tests are simultaneously marked so children’s results could be made available more quickly to teachers, parents, and the child,” she said.

Professor Murcia said online success depended on suitable hardware and reliable internet access, adequate browsers and enough devices for children to access the internet and complete the exam during the testing window.

The year 3 writing task is the only portion that will be completed using pen and paper.

Ren (centre) sits a practice NAPLAN test with fellow year 5 students Ivy and Leroy, (front) Thao 10 and Billy 10 (back) on laptop computers. Picture: David Caird

Parkdale’s St John Vianney’s Primary School principal Michael Schinck said he expected the assessment to run without students looking for short cuts or major tech issues because the school had been preparing to complete the NAPLAN online since last year.

“We’ve done lots of training with regards to how to set up the actual NAPLAN online with codes,” he said. “The kids actually have to type in a code to access the test so they can’t actually get out and look up anything at all.”

Figures released with the state budget last week showed overall NAPLAN performance was below target, with 68 per cent of year 3 pupils above the bottom band for numeracy, which was short of a 73 per cent target.

Other areas where ­NAPLAN targets are not met include year 7 numeracy, year 9 numeracy and year 9 reading.

An education department spokesman said the new-look test would provide a more ­accurate indication of students’ academic performance.

“The transition to online NAPLAN tests is exciting,” the spokesman said. “The tests are more engaging, and allow us to provide more precise results with adaptive testing, where the test presents questions which may get progressively more or less difficult depending on a student’s ­responses.”

This year’s national assessment will be the last time students sit NAPLAN in May.

From 2023 the test will be conducted in March after a review found feedback on the ­results was ­delivered too late in the year for students.

Originally published as NAPLAN testing to begin this week