Australian school students already do major tests in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 before going on to final exams in Year 12.

But amid ongoing concern around Australian students’ academic performance, there’s been a call for more testing.

The Page Research Centre, affiliated with the National Party, has proposed students sit additional exams in Years 6, 10 and 12. These would occur alongside NAPLAN, rather than replace it.

More testing might seem like an obvious response. But would it work? And is it needed?

What does the report say?

The report examines how assessments works across New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory. It identifies “concerning trends”, such as:

different assessment requirements among states and territories

different assessment requirements among states and territories

an increased proportion of Year 12 students receiving higher final grades, despite steady or declining results from other national and international assessments.

an increased proportion of Year 12 students receiving higher final grades, despite steady or declining results from other national and international assessments.

The report recommends a study into increasing the number of national exams that directly assess curriculum knowledge. This is distinct from tests such as NAPLAN, which assesses students’ literacy and numeracy skills.

How much testing already happens?

Compared to other similar........

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