NAPLAN syllabus for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9
Every Numeracy and English topic your child needs for NAPLAN, year by year. Each topic follows the Australian Curriculum, and each Numeracy strand shows how much it counts in the test.
Topics by year
Choose a year and subject. Topics marked Advanced are the harder ones that appear in only a few questions.
How the Numeracy test is weighted
The official target share of Numeracy questions for each strand.
| Strand | Year 3 | Year 5 | Year 7 | Year 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | 35–45% | 35–45% | 35–45% | 30–40% |
| Algebra | 5–15% | 5–15% | 5–15% | 10–20% |
| Measurement | 20–30% | 15–25% | 15–25% | 15–25% |
| Space | 10–20% | 10–20% | 10–20% | 10–20% |
| Statistics | 5–15% | 5–15% | 5–15% | 5–15% |
| Probability | 5–10% | 5–10% | 5–10% | Small share |
Source: ACARA, NAPLAN Assessment Framework. The framework does not list a separate figure for Year 9 Probability. Reading, Writing and Conventions of Language are separate tests, so they are not weighted in the same way.
NAPLAN syllabus questions
What does NAPLAN Numeracy cover?
Number, algebra, measurement, space, statistics and probability. Number is the largest strand in every year, and Year 9 includes more algebra than earlier years.
Does NAPLAN test what my child is learning this year?
Mostly not. NAPLAN is held in March, so most questions draw on skills taught in earlier years. A small number of harder questions come from the year of testing and the following year.
Can students use a calculator in NAPLAN?
Not in Years 3 and 5. In Years 7 and 9, the Numeracy test starts with a short non-calculator section, and an online calculator is available for the rest of the test.
What does NAPLAN English cover?
Three separate tests: Reading, Writing (one narrative or persuasive piece) and Conventions of Language (spelling, grammar and punctuation).
Is listening and speaking tested in NAPLAN?
No. Listening and speaking are part of the school curriculum but are not assessed in NAPLAN.
How should my child prepare?
Build strong foundations in the topics for their year and earlier years, practise reading questions carefully, and get used to answering on screen. A diagnostic test is a good way to find the gaps first.
See where your child stands
Take our free, timed NAPLAN Numeracy diagnostic for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. A full PDF report is sent to you after the test.
Sources: NAP (National Assessment Program) · Australian Curriculum (ACARA). Written and reviewed by Mohit Singh, Eternal Learn. Last updated 24 October 2026.