How to Ace Every Australian Exam
Comprehensive preparation guides for NAPLAN, Selective School, OC, ACER Scholarship, and Edutest — with strategies, common mistakes, and direct links to practice.
This is a general preparation guide, not an authoritative exam reference.
Test dates, question counts, formats, registration deadlines, and fees are set by each testing authority and individual schools and may change without notice. Details on this page reflect publicly available information at the time of writing and may be incomplete or out of date. Before relying on any specific detail — particularly registration deadlines, test dates, and the exact format applicable to your child's school — please contact the relevant testing authority or the specific school directly. Links to the official sources are listed in the disclaimer at the bottom of this page.
Test Dates
March each year (2026: Wed 11 Mar – Mon 23 Mar)
Format
Online adaptive test — 2 stages. Stage 1 for all students, Stage 2 adapts to your level (harder or easier path).
What You Will Be Tested On
Number, algebra, measurement, geometry, statistics. Non-calculator. Adaptive difficulty.
Multiple text types — fiction, non-fiction, persuasive. Locate, infer, interpret, evaluate.
Persuasive or narrative prompt. Assessed on 10 criteria including ideas, structure, vocabulary.
Spelling (identify correct/incorrect) + Grammar & punctuation.
How to Prepare
1. Understand the adaptive format
NAPLAN uses "tailored testing" — after Stage 1, the test forks. If you do well, Stage 2 is harder (more marks available). If you struggle, Stage 2 is easier (chance to show what you know). Either way, answer every question — harder questions are worth more.
2. Practice under timed conditions
Set a timer matching the real test. 50 minutes for numeracy = about 1.5 min per question. Get comfortable with time pressure before test day.
3. Read questions BEFORE the passage
In reading, skim the questions first so you know what to look for when you read the text. This saves time and improves accuracy.
4. Never leave a question blank
There is no penalty for wrong answers. If stuck, eliminate obviously wrong options and make your best guess. A 25% chance is better than 0%.
5. For writing: plan before you write
Spend 3-5 minutes planning. Jot down 3 key points for persuasive, or a quick plot outline for narrative. Students who plan consistently score higher.
6. Practice spelling patterns
30% of language conventions is spelling. Focus on common patterns: -tion/-sion, -ible/-able, silent letters, double consonants. Read widely — exposure to words is the best spelling practice.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Spending too long on hard questions and running out of time for easy ones
- ✗In writing: starting without a plan, then losing structure halfway through
- ✗Confusing similar-sounding words (affect/effect, their/there/they're)
- ✗Not reading ALL answer options before choosing — the first "right-looking" one may not be best
- ✗Panicking when Stage 2 gets harder — this means you did well in Stage 1
Universal Exam Strategies That Work for Every Test
Start 6-12 months early
Cramming does not work for reasoning-based tests. Consistent practice over months builds genuine skill.
Practice under real conditions
Timer on. No distractions. Full-length tests. The goal is to make test day feel familiar, not stressful.
Review your mistakes
Getting a question wrong is the best learning opportunity. Understand WHY you got it wrong, not just what the right answer is.
Sleep well the night before
Research consistently shows that sleep has more impact on test performance than last-minute study.
Read widely and often
Reading improves vocabulary, comprehension, writing, and even mathematical reasoning. 20 minutes of reading daily is more valuable than 2 hours of test prep.
Do not compare with others
Every student progresses at their own pace. Focus on your own improvement, not what other candidates are doing.
Ready to start preparing?
Practice questions matched to every exam type. Adaptive difficulty. AI-powered explanations.