2026 Assessment dates now available

Date posted 26 November 2025

The 2026 assessment schedule includes all mandatory assessments that schools are required to undertake.

The information provides assessments schools may undertake during the calendar year, including:

• mandatory state and national assessments
• item trials and field studies requiring sample schools
• optional department assessments.

For more information, visit Assessment dates.

New on-demand Stage snapshot assessments – Stages 3 and 5

Stage snapshots are designed to assess a broad range of outcomes within a learning stage. They identify students’ current understanding or skill level and can be used to complement other school-based assessment practices. They help identify strengths and possible areas for focus. They cover a broad range of syllabus outcomes for that learning stage so can be used to assess student’s prior knowledge before beginning the next learning stage or at the end of a learning stage.

The Microsoft Forms assessments can be used flexibly and support the timely provision of information to students and teachers.

New on-demand Stage snapshot assessments have been released:

• Stage 3 – Science and technology
• Stage 5 – Reading
• Stage 5 (Core) – Numeracy.

To access these assessments, along with other Stage 2–4 reading and numeracy snapshots, visit Stage snapshots.