Have you ever wondered why some students find NAPLAN tough while others breeze through OLNA?

You’re not alone; many parents are curious about which test really challenges their child more. The latest 2025 NAPLAN results show average scores dipping again: grammar at 408.4, reading at 402.2, and writing at 413.9, hinting that students are still struggling with core literacy skills. Knowing what sets OLNA apart helps you understand your child’s learning needs better and choose the right support before it starts affecting their confidence.

Key Takeaways

• OLNA is for WA students who didn’t meet Year 9 NAPLAN standards, focusing on literacy and numeracy. NAPLAN tracks progress nationwide in multiple subjects.

• NAPLAN is a progress check, while OLNA is a graduation requirement in WA.

• NAPLAN is an annual test covering a broad curriculum. OLNA is online, competency-based, with multiple retake chances from Year 10.

• OLNA feels more practical but has higher stakes for WA students, unlike NAPLAN, which is diagnostic.

What is OLNA?

OLNA is the test your child might take if they didn’t hit the NAPLAN standard in Year 9. It checks the essential reading, writing, and math skills your child needs to graduate confidently. You’ll notice it focuses more on practical tasks than long, curriculum-based exams, making it feel more like real-life skill checks. Think of OLNA as a helpful second chance to make sure your child is on track for success.

Next, we’ll see how NAPLAN compares to OLNA and how it shapes the academic path for students.

What is NAPLAN?

NAPLAN is the test your child takes every year in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 across Australia. It checks how well your child is doing in reading, writing, spelling, grammar, and numeracy compared to other students their age. You’ll see it’s more about curriculum-based skills and showing progress over time rather than a pass-or-fail exam. Think of NAPLAN as a snapshot of your child’s learning that helps you and their teachers spot areas to support.

Before we look into the details, it helps to understand why these tests exist and what they mean for your child’s learning journey.

Test Purpose and What It Means for Your Child

Both NAPLAN and OLNA serve different purposes, and knowing who needs to sit each test makes it easier to support your child. Here’s a breakdown of who needs to take the test:

NAPLAN

• Your child will take it in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9, no matter which school they attend in Australia.

• The results aren’t pass or fail; they show how your child is performing compared to other students.

• Schools and teachers use the scores to identify areas where your child might need extra support.

OLNA

• Only Western Australian students who didn’t prequalify through Year 9 NAPLAN take this test.

• It’s tied to the WACE requirement, so your child will have multiple chances from Year 10 onwards.

• Meeting the standard is essential for graduation, and failing means they’ll need to retake it later.

Also read: Understanding Adaptive Testing in NAPLAN

Prepare your child for OLNA and NAPLAN with FunFox Writers’ Club.

Book a Free Trial Today!

What do the Results Mean for Your Child?

For NAPLAN, the results give you and your child’s teachers a clear picture of strengths and areas to improve, without any pass-or-fail pressure. OLNA, on the other hand, carries higher stakes in WA because meeting the standard is required for graduation, so your child might need to retake it if they don’t succeed the first time. Understanding this difference helps you plan support and practice in a way that keeps your child confident rather than stressed.

Understanding these differences will help you figure out how to best prepare your child for each test. Let’s break down the format and structure of these assessments to give you a clearer picture of what your child will face.

Test Format, Timing, and Retake Options

Understanding how each test is structured and when it happens can help you plan ahead and support your child effectively. Both NAPLAN and OLNA have their own formats and schedules, so knowing the details makes preparation less stressful. Here’s a closer look:

Format & Question Style

• NAPLAN

  • Conducted during set windows each year for Years 3, 5, 7, and 9.

  • Covers four main areas:

    1. Reading

    2. Writing

    3. Language conventions (spelling, grammar, punctuation)

    4. Numeracy

  • Mostly curriculum-based questions, reflecting what your child has learned in class.

• OLNA

  • Online assessments designed for secondary students, focusing on literacy and numeracy skills.

  • More practical and competency-focused than broad curriculum coverage.

  • Linked to NAPLAN scales, but specifically measures if your child meets WA’s graduation standard.

  • Often includes:

    • Reading comprehension tasks

    • Writing prompts under timed conditions

    • Numeracy problem-solving exercises

Timing & Retake Opportunities

• NAPLAN

  • Scheduled once a year during a national testing window.

  • Students cannot retake it within the same year.

• OLNA

  • Multiple windows each year, giving your child several chances from Year 10 onwards.

  • Flexible scheduling means it doesn’t overlap with NAPLAN.

  • Tips for parents:

    • Mark OLNA dates on your calendar early.

    • Encourage short, focused practice sessions before each window.

    • Use retake opportunities to address specific skill gaps without pressure.

Now, let’s get into the details of whether OLNA might be “easier” than NAPLAN and explore the nuances of both tests.

Is OLNA Really Easier Than NAPLAN?

It’s normal to wonder if OLNA is actually easier than NAPLAN or just feels that way for your child. Let’s break it down step by step so you can see the differences clearly.

Two Ways to Interpret “Easier”

Sometimes “easier” means the questions feel simpler, and other times it refers to the consequences or stakes of the test. Here’s what that looks like:

• Question Style & Clarity

  • Many teachers and parents report that OLNA questions feel more direct and focused on showing practical skills.

  • Unlike NAPLAN’s broader curriculum questions, OLNA is designed to measure competency in a straightforward way.

  • These impressions come from tutor blogs and parent experiences, not formal difficulty scales.

• Stakes & Outcome

  • OLNA carries higher stakes in WA since students must meet the WACE standard to graduate.

  • NAPLAN is diagnostic, showing areas for support without pass-or-fail pressure.

  • Which test feels “easier” depends on whether you focus on question style or test consequences.

Evidence & Technical Reality

Looking at the technical side helps explain why comparing difficulty isn’t simple. Here’s the plain version:

• OLNA scales are linked to NAPLAN, but the mapping is complex and not linear.

• One test isn’t numerically easier than the other because they measure different purposes.

• Think of OLNA as a focused skills assessment and NAPLAN as a broader snapshot of learning.

Parent Takeaway

Understanding who really needs OLNA helps you plan study and support effectively. Here’s what to keep in mind:

• If your child prequalified via Year 9 NAPLAN, they usually won’t need OLNA.

• If not, OLNA is a targeted opportunity; it may feel more straightforward, but it has WACE consequences.

• Use this insight to help your child practice strategically and stay confident about testing.

Let’s turn to some practical tips that can make a big difference as you guide your child through the preparation process.

Also read: What Year Levels Participate in NAPLAN Testing?

Practical Steps Parents Can Take

Supporting your child through NAPLAN or OLNA doesn’t have to be overwhelming; small, consistent actions make a big difference. Let’s look at some simple steps you can take before, during, and if your child must sit the OLNA.

Before the Test

Start by understanding your child’s current level and celebrating small improvements. Here’s how:

• Check your child’s Year 9 NAPLAN report for prequalification signals; it shows whether OLNA might be needed.

• Ask the school directly if your child is required to sit the OLNA this year.

• Use short, daily micro-practice sessions (15–20 minutes) targeting weaker areas like reading comprehension or specific numeracy problems.

• Celebrate small wins in these sessions to boost confidence and reduce pressure.

During Preparation

Focus on strategies that build skills and confidence rather than memorizing curriculum content. Try these approaches:

• Short, timed reading exercises to improve comprehension under test conditions.

• Real OLNA-style numeracy tasks to practice problem-solving and speed.

• Writing practice using simple prompts to get familiar with OLNA expectations.

• Reduce test anxiety with mock sessions, calming routines, and explaining that the test is a skill check, not a punishment.

If Your Child Must Sit OLNA

Planning is key if OLNA is on the horizon; focus on skills and feedback, not last-minute cramming.

• Organize practice specifically around the OLNA format rather than the general curriculum content.

• Use school-provided feedback after each OLNA round to address weak areas before the next attempt (SCSA recommends focused instruction between windows).

When to Contact the School / Request Accommodations

• For special needs or medical reasons, check with the school; they can advise on available supports.

• Early communication helps ensure your child has the right adjustments and guidance in place.

Finally, we’ll explore how FunFox can help both you and your child stay on top of the learning process, making preparation less daunting.

Help your child tackle OLNA and NAPLAN confidently.

Book a Call with our experts!

FunFox: Improve Literacy & Numeracy for OLNA/NAPLAN

Give your child the tools and confidence to tackle OLNA and NAPLAN with ease. Here’s how FunFox makes preparation simple, practical, and enjoyable:

• Writers Club: strengthens the writing skills your child needs for test tasks.

  • Practice grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure.

  • Learn to organize answers clearly for OLNA & NAPLAN writing tasks.

  • Receive feedback in small-group online classes.

• Readers Club: builds reading comprehension and analytical thinking.

  • Master skimming, scanning, and inference strategies for test questions.

  • Apply reading strategies across subjects, including numeracy word problems.

  • Participate in interactive weekly online sessions, with recordings to review.

• Extra Benefits

  • Increase confidence and reduce test anxiety.

  • Aligned to literacy and numeracy skills required for both assessments.

  • Fun, inclusive classes with experienced teachers and engaging activities.

Conclusion

Understanding the differences between OLNA and NAPLAN helps you support your child with confidence and clarity. Both tests serve unique purposes, so knowing what to expect can reduce stress and guide preparation. By focusing on practical strategies and consistent practice, you can help your child approach these assessments calmly and successfully.

FunFox can make this journey even easier by offering targeted support in literacy and numeracy. Their small-group programs help your child build essential skills while keeping learning engaging and stress-free. With expert guidance and interactive lessons, FunFox helps children stay confident and prepared for any assessment challenge.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Will a strong Year 9 NAPLAN result always mean my child won’t do OLNA?

Not always. Check your school’s prequalification criteria and the specific score thresholds to be sure, as each student’s situation is unique.

2. How many times can my child sit for the OLNA?

Your child gets multiple chances each year from Year 10 onwards. Planning practice around these windows helps reduce stress and build confidence.

3. Should I hire a tutor?

Only if targeted practice addresses specific weaknesses, short, focused sessions usually work better than intensive test drills.

4. Does NAPLAN measure the same skills as OLNA?

There’s some overlap in literacy and numeracy skills, but NAPLAN is curriculum-based while OLNA measures the minimum standards needed for WACE. Think of them as related but serving different purposes.

5. How stressful is OLNA for students?

The stakes are real for WA students, but schools provide support and multiple retake opportunities. Early practice and understanding the process can help your child stay calm and confident.