Does Australia need more national exams for school students?

Australia already conducts extensive standardised testing for school students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 through NAPLAN, as well as Year 12 final exams. However, there are calls for additional national exams in Years 6, 10 and 12 to address concerns about academic performance. The Page Research Centre proposes this additional testing, but questions remain about its effectiveness and necessity.

The report notes concerning trends, such as varying assessment requirements among states and territories, and a growing proportion of Year 12 students receiving high grades despite steady or declining results from other assessments. It recommends studying the impact of increasing national exams that directly assess curriculum knowledge, distinct from NAPLAN's focus on literacy and numeracy.

Australia's testing regime is less frequent compared to countries like the US, England, and New Zealand. NAPLAN tests literacy and numeracy skills every three years, while students in Years 6 and 10 take national assessments in science, civics, and digital literacy, also every three years. Australia also participates in international assessments like PISA, which tests 15-year-olds' skills in reading, maths, and science.

While some argue that testing can directly support learning, research is mixed. Classroom quizzes have been found to improve student achievement, but policies attaching rewards or penalties to test results have had limited success. A US study found that standardized testing linked to accountability measures, like school restructuring, led to some improvements in math scores for Year 4 students and minor improvements in Year 8 scores, but not in reading.

The effectiveness of standardized testing depends on how results are used. Constant test preparation can narrow teaching and learning to isolated facts and procedures, while more complex assessments can foster critical thinking and broader content knowledge. The design of tests and their intended use are crucial factors.

Ultimately, introducing more exams in Australia would depend on what they would prioritize and the information they would provide. Would they guide teaching or simply promote test preparation? Would they identify schools needing support or determine student pathways? More testing alone is not a learning strategy; it requires thoughtful implementation and a focus on broader educational goals.