How NAPLAN Writing Works Years 3, 5, 7 & 9
Everything you need to know about the NAPLAN writing assessment — from the online format to the 10 marking criteria — across all year levels.
42 minutes for Years 5, 7 & 9 (online). Year 3 is 40 minutes (on paper).
- 5 mins: Planning (Paper & Pencil, or digital tools on this site)
- 37 mins: Writing & Editing (Online)
The format depends on the year level.
- Year 3: Handwritten on paper with a pencil.
- Years 5, 7 & 9: Typed online using a standard keyboard.
Students in Years 5–9 need to be comfortable typing their ideas directly into the testing platform.
The Two Text Types
On the day of the test, students are presented with one writing prompt. They must write either a Narrative or a Persuasive text depending on the prompt given. They do not get to choose the text type.
Narrative (Story)
The goal is to entertain the reader by telling a compelling story.
- Orientation: Set the scene and introduce characters.
- Complication: A problem that needs solving.
- Resolution: How the problem is resolved.
Persuasive (Argument)
The goal is to convince the reader of your opinion on a topic.
- Introduction: Clear statement of opinion.
- Body Paragraphs: 3 reasons supported by evidence.
- Conclusion: Restate opinion and call to action.
How It's Marked (10 Criteria)
NAPLAN writing is assessed against 10 specific criteria. The same criteria apply to all year levels (Years 3, 5, 7 & 9), but markers expect increasingly sophisticated control over language as students progress through the years.
| Criterion | What Markers Look For |
|---|---|
| 1. Audience | Does the writer engage the reader? Is the tone appropriate? |
| 2. Text Structure | Does it have a clear beginning, middle, and end appropriate to the genre? |
| 3. Ideas | Are the ideas creative, relevant, and elaborated (detailed)? |
| 4. Character & Setting / Persuasive Devices | Narrative: Are characters and places described vividly? Persuasive: Are persuasive devices used (e.g., emotive language, rhetorical questions)? |
| 5. Vocabulary | Are precise and effective words used? (e.g., "sprinted" instead of "ran fast"). |
| 6. Cohesion | Does the text flow well? Are linking words used? (e.g., "However," "Meanwhile," "Consequently"). |
| 7. Paragraphing | Is the text broken into logical paragraphs? |
| 8. Sentence Structure | Is there a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences? |
| 9. Punctuation | Is basic punctuation correct (.,?!) and are advanced marks attempted (e.g., speech marks, commas)? |
| 10. Spelling | Are common words spelled correctly and difficult words attempted? |
This is a quick overview — for a full breakdown of each criterion with what "Exceeding" vs "Strong" answers look like, see the complete NAPLAN marking criteria guide.
Common questions
How long is the NAPLAN writing test?
The NAPLAN writing test is 42 minutes for Years 5, 7 and 9 (completed online) and 40 minutes for Year 3 (completed on paper). The time covers planning, writing and editing.
Is NAPLAN writing done online or on paper?
Year 3 students complete the writing test on paper with a pencil. Years 5, 7, and 9 students complete the writing test online using a computer keyboard.
What type of writing is in the NAPLAN test?
All year levels write either a Narrative (story) or a Persuasive text. The genre is the same across all year levels and is revealed on the day of the test.
Where can my child practise for the NAPLAN writing test online for free?
NaplanWriting.com.au offers free NAPLAN-style writing practice for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 — timed to match the real test conditions, with no login required to start writing and instant AI feedback mapped to the 10 NAPLAN marking criteria.
Start Practising Today
For Years 5–9, getting comfortable typing on a keyboard is one of the biggest advantages. For all year levels, practising with real prompts builds confidence and familiarity with the test format.
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