Preparing for NAPLAN Writing: What Markers Actually Look For

NAPLAN writing is one of the most misunderstood tests in Australian schooling. Strong general writers often underperform, and confident parents are often surprised by their child’s score. The reason is simple: NAPLAN writing tests very specific skills, against very specific criteria, under very specific time pressure.

This is a plain-language guide to what NAPLAN markers actually look for, what earns marks, what doesn’t, and how to practise effectively at home.

What the test actually is

Students sit a single timed writing task. They are given a stimulus (a prompt, image, or short instruction) and a fixed amount of time to plan and write a response. Depending on the year level, the prompt asks for a narrative or persuasive piece.

There is no second draft. There is no spell-check assistance. There is only the response your child produces in the time they are given.

The ten criteria, demystified

Markers score the response against ten criteria. Three are worth more than the others, so we focus on those first:

1. Text structure. Does the response have a clear beginning, middle, and end appropriate to the text type?
2. Ideas. Are the ideas relevant, developed, and appropriate to the prompt?
3. Persuasive devices (persuasive task) or character and setting (narrative task). Does the writer use the techniques that define the form?

The remaining seven criteria cover paragraphing, vocabulary, sentence structure, cohesion, punctuation, spelling, and audience awareness. Strong writers tend to score well across most of these naturally; the heavy lifting for most students is on the first three.

How to practise at home

The single best thing you can do is practise under the real conditions. That means:

• A printed stimulus, like the real test.
• A timer set for the real duration.
• One uninterrupted attempt, with no feedback during the writing.
• A read-through afterwards, looking at the criteria one by one.

This is uncomfortable at first. That is the point. NAPLAN is a timed test, and practising under untimed, comfortable conditions does not prepare students for the actual experience.

What we do in our NAPLAN program

Every class in our NAPLAN & Scholarship program includes a full mock writing task under timed conditions, marked against the official criteria, with personalised written feedback. Students leave each session knowing exactly what to do differently next time.

That sequence — timed practice, marked feedback, immediate revision — is what moves the needle.

If you would like to see where your child stands today, book a free assessment at our Thornleigh centre. You will leave with a clear picture of their strengths and a recommended next step.