Preparation activities
Principals and teachers can prepare their schools for NAPLAN by undertaking technical preparation and accessing practice activities.
Important information for 2026 testing
Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr falls within the second week of the NAPLAN test window. Schools with a large Muslim community should:
- schedule tests as soon as possible in the test window to avoid tests coinciding with Eid al-Fitr celebrations
- contact the NAPLAN team as soon as possible if they are closed or anticipate student attendance to be less than 50% during Eid al-Fitr celebrations and cannot schedule all tests in the test window.
Chromebooks
The 2026 Chromebook NAP locked down browser (NAP LDB) is a progressive web app, which is a change from previous years. Schools must refer to the NAP LDB user guide for updated installation instructions and test all devices before the test period to ensure the LDB is correctly downloaded and working as expected.
Technical preparation
Technical preparation is vital for the smooth delivery of NAPLAN tests. Only devices that meet the minimum supported operating system and browser versions can be used for testing.
All student devices used for NAPLAN must have the latest NAP LDB installed and configured as outlined in the NAP LDB user guides. These guides provide information on overcoming common device issues and additional set up steps which may be needed on certain devices.
Schools will need to schedule time prior to testing to:
- check that all student and staff devices, including operating systems and browsers, meet the minimum requirements
- check that the school’s network meets the minimum requirements, ensuring firewall requirements and recommendations have been followed
- run a device check on every student device, including BYOD, to ensure the NAP LDB is correctly downloaded and working as expected.
Find technical preparation information
All technical information and resources can be found on the Online National Assessment Platform website, including:
- minimum device requirements
- locked down browsers (NAP LDBs) (arrangements for the installation differ between school sectors)
- NAP LDB user guides.
Practice options
There are 3 options available to schools. Principals and NAPLAN coordinators can decide which option is most appropriate for their staff and students based on their level of familiarity with online NAPLAN tests.
As part of a school’s practice activities, one familiarisation activity should be run with the anticipated maximum number of students you plan to test at one time during the NAPLAN test period and using the full range of device types available to students. This will assist with identifying any issues that may impact your school’s ability to run NAPLAN tests. Using the conventions of language test or omnibus test for this activity is highly recommended, as these tests include a wide range of different item types including audio questions.
Option 1: NAPLAN training and practice environment
The NAPLAN training and practice environment mimics the online delivery environment. It provides a detailed end-to-end test experience for NAPLAN coordinators and test administrators. This option is best for staff and students who have little or no experience with NAPLAN.
Staff and students can practise the set up and delivery of test sessions using mock student data.
The NAPLAN training and practice environment is available now. Login details were provided in your school’s NAPLAN welcome pack.
Option 2: NAP LDB demonstration tests
Schools can access short demonstration tests through the NAP LDB.
The NAP LDB demonstration tests are available all year round. Download and install the NAP LDB using the instructions on the Online National Assessment Platform website.
The demonstration NAPLAN tests help staff and students:
- understand the types of questions asked
- experience its interactive navigation
- try out the platform's online tools
- trial adjustments that may be appropriate for students with disability.
This option is best for test administrators and students who have experience with NAPLAN.
Option 3: Public demonstration site
The public demonstration site is available all year from the National Assessment Program (NAP) website.
The site aims to help students understand the types of questions asked, and the tools available in the online NAPLAN tests. Students can access the public demonstration site from home. The site can also be used to trial disability adjustments to decide on their suitability for students.
Unlike the NAP LDB demonstration tests, the public demonstration tests:
- are not tailored
- do not include branching between testlets but do include examples of branching messages. Schools need to prepare students for the types of messages they will get at branching points
- allow the use of software or settings prohibited by the NAP LDB. For example, the public demonstration site does not disable features such as grammar and spell-check. These features are disabled during NAPLAN testing.