For more than one million Australian students, the anxious wait for their NAPLAN test results will be cut in half.

On Wednesday, 1.3 million school students from nearly 10,000 schools across the nation will begin their NAPLAN examination, which tests their reading, numeracy, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

In previous years, these children were forced to wait more than one term for their results.

But in 2024, students will start receiving their marks from just four weeks after the exam blocks wrap up on March 25 – the earliest result delivery in the history of the national testing program.

Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority acting chief executive Stephen Gniel says this will benefit both children and their teachers.

“It will help support schools in understanding where their students have performed well and areas for improvement, as well shape teaching and learning programs,” he said.

The NAPLAN tests have come under fire in recent years, with parents worrying about the wellbeing impacts it can have on their children.

Research from the University of Melbourne has shown a majority of students dislike the examinations and are unsure of its purpose, with many reporting feelings of stress.

But Mr Gniel says students and parents should not worry.

“NAPLAN is one assessment tool that we have in addition to a school’s own assessments and, most importantly, the teacher’s knowledge of their students,” he said.

“So, there’s no need for students to undertake extra practice for NAPLAN and they should not feel apprehensive about the assessment.”

Kat Wong
(Australian Associated Press)