NAPLAN, the standardised test of every Australian student's literacy and numeracy, will be replaced by a new, broader test – called ANSA – under the recommendations of a breakaway review by Victoria, NSW and Queensland.

NAPLAN could be replaced by a new expanded test next year. Credit:Adam McLean

Year 9 students would no longer sit the revamped test either, with students to be assessed in year 10 instead.

All students in years 3, 5 and 7 would also sit the new test.

The test would also be moved from May to as early in the school year as practicable to prevent schools "teaching to the test" to achieve better results.

Students and teachers should also get results within one week of the test, the report recommends.

Science would be added to the competencies students are tested on, along with a test of each student's critical and creative thinking.

The writing component of the test would also be changed dramatically to discourage formulaic or rote approaches to the test that have been the subject of long-standing criticism.

Federal, state and territory education ministers were briefed on the final report on the proposed changes to NAPLAN on Friday.

It followed the launch of a breakaway review by three states last year. Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan has consistently opposed making major changes to NAPLAN.

NAPLAN has been cancelled nationwide this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new test would be called Australian National Standardised Assessments (ANSA), consigning the name NAPLAN to the bin.

The review was conducted by Emeritus Professor Barry McGaw, Emeritus Professor Bill Louden and Professor Claire Wyatt-Smith, and considered standardised assessment practices around the world, the uses of NAPLAN data, and the content and delivery of the assessment itself.

More to come

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