Assessment dates
The 2023 assessment schedule includes all assessments schools could be asked to complete during the calendar year, including:
- department assessments
- mandatory state and national assessments, item trials and field studies
- other external assessment opportunities coordinated through the department.
Note: These dates are correct at the time of publishing and may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. Check the relevant web page for more information relating to each assessment.
2023 assessments by term
Term 1
Best Start Kindergarten Assessment
- Weeks 1 to 5
- Assessment window opens in Week 5 and is available through the year for Years 10 to 12. See the NESA website for details.
- 15 to 27 March
Transition to Year 7 assessment
- Weeks 3 to 11
- The optional Transition to Year 7 assessment replaces Best Start Year 7 from 2023 for students who were unable to complete the Year 6 Check-in assessment in Semester 2, 2022. See the web page for more details.
Term 2
Selective High School Placement Test
- Week 2 (4 May)
Check-in assessment - Years 4, 6 and 8
- Weeks 4 to 7
National Assessment Program – Science Literacy (NAP-SL) main study
- 1 to 26 May
- Years 6 and 10 (select schools)
- 29 May to 7 July (TBC)
- Select students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9
Term 3
Opportunity Class Placement test
- Week 2 (27 July)
Year 1 Phonics Screening Check
- Weeks 4 to 6
Validation of Assessment for Learning and Individual Development (VALID) 6 and 10
- Weeks 7 to 8
Check-in assessment - Year 6
- Weeks 8 to 10
Term 4
Check-in assessment - Years 3, 4 and 5
- Weeks 1 to 4
- Weeks 3 to 4
Check-in assessment - Years 7, 8 and 9
- Weeks 3 to 7
HSC (written exams)
- 11 October to 3 November (TBC)
- Check the NESA web page for languages oral exams and practical and performance exams dates
National Assessment Program for Civics and Citizenship (NAP–CC) Field Study
- October/November (TBC)
- Years 6 and 10 (select schools)
Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) Main Study
- 30 October to 1 December
- Years 4 and 8 (select schools)
Note: For National Assessment Program (NAP) sample testing, ACARA requires a representative sample of students in metropolitan and rural and remote locations. Sample sizes are typically small. Identified schools will be contacted directly.
On demand assessments
Schools may also wish to participate in the department’s on demand assessment available to schools:
- Interview for Student Reasoning (numeracy)
- Phonics diagnostic assessment
- Phonological awareness diagnostic assessment
- Stage based assessment (reading and numeracy)
Additional scheduled and on demand opportunities may become available throughout 2023.