NAPLAN Maths Tips for Year 5 and Year 7 Students

## What Is NAPLAN Maths Testing? NAPLAN (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy) tests students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 across Australia. The maths component assesses number and algebra, measurement and geometry, and statistics and probability. In NSW, NAPLAN is sat in March each year, giving students and families a clear window for preparation. The test is not designed to trick students — it is designed to check whether they have mastered the maths concepts expected for their year group. This means that thorough, structured preparation gives a genuine advantage. ## What Is Actually Tested? ### Year 5 NAPLAN Maths Year 5 students are tested on content up to and including Year 5 level. The key topic areas are: - **Number and place value** — understanding numbers up to millions, rounding, and ordering - **Fractions and decimals** — adding, subtracting, comparing, and converting between fractions and decimals - **Multiplication and division** — up to 3-digit by 2-digit multiplication, short and long division - **Measurement** — area, perimeter, volume, units of measurement, converting between units - **Geometry** — properties of 2D and 3D shapes, angles, symmetry, and transformations - **Data and statistics** — reading graphs, tables, and charts; calculating mean ### Year 7 NAPLAN Maths Year 7 NAPLAN is a step up in both content and reasoning demand. New topics include: - **Algebra** — writing and evaluating expressions, solving simple equations - **Ratios and percentages** — comparing quantities, calculating percentage increases and decreases - **Negative numbers** — operations with integers - **Coordinate geometry** — plotting and reading points, understanding the Cartesian plane - **Probability** — listing outcomes, calculating probability as a fraction or percentage ## The Biggest Mistakes Students Make ### 1. Leaving NAPLAN Preparation Too Late Most families start thinking about NAPLAN in February, two or three weeks before the test. Students who begin preparation in Term 3 or Term 4 of the previous year have a significant advantage. They have time to identify weak areas, fix misconceptions, and build speed. ### 2. Practising Without Understanding Working through practice tests without reviewing mistakes is one of the least effective ways to prepare. For every question a student gets wrong, they need to understand *why* they got it wrong — not just look up the answer. ### 3. Ignoring Non-Calculator Questions A portion of the NAPLAN maths test is completed without a calculator. Students who rely heavily on calculators during class often struggle with basic mental arithmetic under time pressure. ## Effective Preparation Strategies ### Build Fluency in Core Facts Year 5 students should know their multiplication tables up to 12 × 12 instantly. Year 7 students should be fluent with integer operations and fraction arithmetic. These are not things to work out during the test — they need to be automatic. A good daily habit is five to ten minutes of mental arithmetic practice: times tables, fraction conversions, and percentage calculations. ### Work Through Topic Areas Systematically Don't just do random practice questions. Work through each topic area in sequence. Spend two to three days on each topic: 1. Revise the concept with notes or a worked example 2. Complete ten to fifteen practice questions 3. Review every mistake and identify the underlying cause ### Use Past NAPLAN Papers ACARA (the organisation that runs NAPLAN) releases past papers and is a reliable source of authentic test questions. The style, wording, and difficulty level of official NAPLAN questions is very specific — practising with real papers is far more useful than generic maths worksheets. ### Time Yourself NAPLAN maths has a time limit. Many students lose marks not because they don't know the maths, but because they run out of time. Practise under timed conditions regularly in the two months before the test. A useful approach: aim to complete each question in 60–90 seconds. If you are stuck after 90 seconds, skip and come back. ### Identify and Fix Weak Areas Early After a first practice test, make a list of every topic where marks were lost. This becomes your preparation priority list. A student who scores poorly on fractions should spend two full weeks doing nothing but fraction work before moving on to other topics. ## How Smart Roots Helps with NAPLAN Preparation At Smart Roots Tutoring in Campbelltown, we begin NAPLAN preparation with a free diagnostic session to identify exactly which topics need the most attention. We then create a structured eight to twelve week preparation plan covering every topic area, with weekly practice tests to track progress. Our sessions focus on understanding over memorisation — we make sure students know *why* a method works, not just how to apply it. This means the skills transfer to the actual test, even when questions are worded differently from what they have practised. We offer both face-to-face tutoring in Campbelltown and online tutoring across NSW. To find out more or to book a free diagnostic consultation, visit our [contact page](/contact) or explore our [NAPLAN program details](/programs). ## Key Takeaways - Start NAPLAN preparation at least eight to twelve weeks before the test - Know your times tables and fraction arithmetic automatically - Review every mistake — understanding why you got something wrong is more valuable than getting ten more questions right - Use real NAPLAN past papers for authentic practice - Practise under timed conditions in the final four weeks - Get a diagnostic assessment to focus your preparation on the right topics