Year 5 NAPLAN Test Day: Parent's Checklist and Tips

Year 5 NAPLAN test days mark an important milestone in your child's primary education journey. Over two days in March 2026, your child will complete four assessments: Writing and Reading on Day 1, Language Conventions and Numeracy on Day 2. While NAPLAN is just one measure of learning progress, helping your child feel prepared, calm, and confident supports their best performance.

This parent-focused guide covers everything from the evening before through post-test, including bedtime preparation, morning routines, what your child needs (and doesn't need) to bring, how to reduce test anxiety, and how to maintain healthy perspective throughout the experience.

The Night Before

Preparing the evening before sets up success.

Evening Routine (6:00-8:00 PM)

Do:

✓ Normal dinner and family time

✓ Light review if child requests (10-15 min maximum)

✓ Organize materials for morning (see checklist below)

✓ Calm, positive conversation about test day

✓ Remind child: "Do your best, that's all anyone expects"

Don't:

✗ Intensive study or cramming

✗ Stressful conversations about performance expectations

✗ Comparison to siblings or peers

✗ Late night activities

What to Prepare

Materials Needed:

• School uniform/appropriate clothing
• Water bottle (if allowed by school)
• Morning snack (if test spans break time)
• Any items requested by school

Materials NOT Needed:

• Pencils, erasers (school provides)
• Calculator (on-screen tool for Numeracy)
• Notes or study materials
• Devices or phones

Sleep Preparation (8:00-8:30 PM)

Target: In Bed by 8:00-8:30 PM

For Quality Sleep:

• Wind-down routine 30 minutes before bed
• No screens after 7:30 PM
• Quiet, dark, cool bedroom
• Reassuring goodnight: "You're well-prepared and ready"

If Child Seems Anxious:

• Gentle reassurance: "It's normal to feel a bit nervous"
• Deep breathing together
• Remind them of past successes
• "NAPLAN helps teachers understand how to support you best"

Test Morning

A calm morning routine supports optimal performance.

Wake-Up Routine

Timing:

Wake 1.5-2 hours before school start for unhurried morning

Morning Activities:

• Normal morning routine (shower, dress)
• No rushing or stress
• Brief positive affirmation: "You'll do great!"

Breakfast

Optimal Breakfast:

• Complex carbohydrates (whole grain toast, oatmeal)
• Protein (eggs, yogurt, peanut butter)
• Fruit (banana, berries)
• Water

Example:

Scrambled eggs on whole grain toast with banana and water

Avoid:

• Sugary cereals (energy crash)
• Heavy, greasy foods (sluggishness)
• Excessive juice or milk (bathroom needs during test)
• Skipping breakfast entirely

Travel to School

If Driving:

• Leave early (avoid rushing)
• Calm conversation or quiet music
• Arrive 10-15 minutes early

Final Words:

"Do your personal best. I'm proud of you no matter what."

Test-day confidence comes from thorough preparation and knowing the format inside-out. EduCourse's Year 5 NAPLAN preparation includes full practice tests matching test-day format, helping students know exactly what to expect and reducing anxiety about the unknown.

Understanding the Two-Day Format

Knowing what happens each day reduces uncertainty.

Test Day 1 (Typically Tuesday or Wednesday)

Morning:

• **Writing Test** (42 minutes: 5 min planning, 37 min writing)
• One prompt (narrative OR persuasive)
• Typed response on computer
• Focus: Ideas, structure, language, conventions

Break:

Short break between tests (varies by school)

Late Morning:

• **Reading Test** (50 minutes)
• Approximately 40 questions
• Multiple passages of different types
• Focus: Comprehension, inference, vocabulary

After Test Day 1:

• Normal school day resumes
• Homework as usual (maintains routine)

Test Day 2 (Day After or 2 Days After Day 1)

Morning:

• **Language Conventions Test** (45 minutes)
• Approximately 50-55 questions total
• Spelling (audio-delivered, student types)
• Grammar and punctuation (multiple choice and drag-and-drop)

Break:

Short break

Late Morning:

• **Numeracy Test** (50 minutes)
• Approximately 50 questions
• Non-calculator section first
• Calculator section second (on-screen calculator)
• Focus: Number, measurement, geometry, statistics, problem-solving

After Test Day 2:

• All testing complete!
• Normal school routine

Managing Test-Day Anxiety

Supporting your child emotionally throughout the experience.

Before School

If Child Expresses Worry:

• Listen calmly and validate feelings
• "It's okay to feel nervous - many kids do"
• Reframe: "Nervous energy can help you focus"
• Breathing exercise together (4-count inhale, 4-count exhale, repeat 3x)

Maintain Perspective:

• "NAPLAN is just one test on one day"
• "It shows where you are now, not where you'll always be"
• "Your teachers know you're more than any test score"

What Schools Do to Support Students

Typical School Support:

• Familiar teachers supervising
• Practice with platform beforehand
• Calm, supportive environment
• Breaks between tests
• Encouraging atmosphere

Trust the School:

Schools have extensive experience managing NAPLAN and supporting students through it.

If Your Child Becomes Very Distressed

Rare, But If It Happens:

• School will notify you
• Child's wellbeing prioritized over test completion
• Option to withdraw from testing if necessary
• Results aren't worth significant distress

Remember:

One missed NAPLAN doesn't impact your child's educational future.

Post-Test Actions

What to do immediately after and in following weeks.

After Each Test Session

When Child Returns Home:

Do:

✓ Welcome them warmly

✓ Ask: "How did it feel?" (not "How did you do?")

✓ Listen to their experience

✓ Acknowledge effort: "You tried your best"

✓ Normal evening routine

✓ Favorite dinner or small treat

Don't:

✗ Ask detailed questions about specific questions

✗ Try to assess performance

✗ Express anxiety about results

✗ Compare to other students' reports

✗ Make results-dependent promises or threats

Between Day 1 and Day 2

Maintaining Routine:

• Normal evening and morning routine
• No intensive review for Day 2
• Light encouragement: "One day done, one to go!"
• Adequate sleep

If Day 1 Didn't Go Well:

• Extra reassurance and support
• "Day 2 is a fresh start"
• Focus on Day 2 being different domains (Language, Numeracy)

After All Testing Complete

Celebrating Completion:

• Acknowledge effort and completion
• Special family activity (movie, outing, etc.)
• No more NAPLAN discussion unless child initiates

Moving Forward:

• Return fully to normal school routine
• Help child refocus on regular learning
• Remind them results come in 5-6 months
• Emphasize learning continues regardless of NAPLAN

What Your Child Needs vs. Doesn't Need

Clarifying materials prevents last-minute stress.

What School Provides

Provided by School:

• Computer/tablet for testing
• Headphones (for spelling audio)
• Scrap paper for working (if needed)
• Technical support
• All testing materials

Your Child Doesn't Bring:

• Writing materials
• Calculator
• Any academic materials

What Your Child Should Bring

Permitted:

• Water bottle (clear, labeled)
• Prescription glasses if needed
• Any specific items requested by school

Check with School:

• Morning snack (if test spans break)
• Tissues

What's Not Permitted

Not Allowed:

• Mobile phones or smart watches
• Notes or study materials
• Books or reading materials
• Food in testing room (usually)
• Calculator or electronic devices

Managing Your Own Stress as a Parent

Your calm helps your child's calm.

Keeping Perspective

Remember:

• NAPLAN is diagnostic, not determinant
• One assessment among many measures
• Doesn't determine class placement, promotion, or future opportunities
• Results help teachers, not define students

If You're Anxious:

• Don't transfer anxiety to child
• Share concerns with other parents or school (not with child)
• Research NAPLAN's actual impact (limited on individual students)
• Focus on bigger picture of your child's education

Healthy Attitudes to Model

Say:

✓ "Do your personal best"

✓ "This helps teachers understand how to support you"

✓ "I'm proud of your effort"

✓ "One test doesn't define you"

Avoid Saying:

✗ "You need to get a high score"

✗ "Your future depends on this"

✗ "Don't embarrass us/the family"

✗ "Your sister/brother did better"

Special Circumstances

Addressing unique situations.

For Children with Learning Needs

Accommodations:

• Schools arrange appropriate accommodations
• May include extra time, rest breaks, reader assistance
• Discuss needs with school well before test

Support:

• Extra reassurance that accommodations are there to help
• Emphasize doing their best with support provided

For Children Who Are Unwell

If Sick on Test Day:

• Child's health comes first
• Can catch-up test usually available (check with school)
• Missing NAPLAN isn't catastrophic

Decision Making:

Balance benefit of testing vs. child's wellbeing

For Anxious or Reluctant Children

Extra Support:

• Focus on demystifying process (familiarity reduces fear)
• Extra practice tests at home
• Visualization: "Imagine yourself calm and focused"
• Professional support if anxiety is significant

The Week-Before Checklist

Final preparation checklist for parents.

Logistics Confirmed:

□ Know test dates (Day 1 and Day 2)

□ Normal school start time confirmed

□ Transportation arranged

□ School has current contact information

Materials Ready:

□ Appropriate clothing set aside

□ Water bottle labeled and ready

□ Snack prepared if needed

□ Glasses/any needed items ready

Child Prepared:

□ Completed reasonable practice (not over-prepared)

□ Familiar with online platform

□ Knows test format and what to expect

□ Feeling supported and encouraged

Parent Prepared:

□ Own anxiety managed

□ Positive, calm approach ready

□ Celebration plan for after testing

□ Realistic expectations set

Reduce Test-Day Anxiety with Thorough Preparation

Test-day confidence comes from knowing exactly what to expect. EduCourse's Year 5 NAPLAN preparation includes full practice tests matching the actual test format and timing, online platform simulations familiarizing students with the testing interface, and detailed analytics showing readiness before test day. Help your child feel prepared, confident, and calm.