NAPLAN will move to an online-only form in coming years, if Education Minister Christopher Pyne has his way.

A new report has highlighted some benefits to moving the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) test online.

Research by the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) suggests introducing a ‘tailored test design’.

The design delivers questions based on a student’s answer to the previous set of questions.

ACARA claims it would provide students better opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge, as well as increase their engagement with tests and sense of achievement.

During 2013, more than 250 schools participated in a tailored test design study. Over 2500 students in Years 3 and 5 and 1500 students in Years 7 and 9 completed either numeracy or reading online tests. Most students reported feeling positive and accomplished, regardless of their abilities and educational background.

“Moving NAPLAN online will improve the quality of student performance data at the national, state and territory level,” Mr Pyne said.

“Online delivery of NAPLAN will also provide significantly faster turnaround on student results. Schools and parents will be able to see results sooner, and develop appropriate strategies to support and extend their students’ literacy and numeracy skills.”

ACARA says it will now disseminate the findings from its research programme to teachers, students, parents and communities, so that they have access to the evidence that will inform the development of future NAPLAN online tests.

“The Australian Government is committed to moving NAPLAN from a pencil-and-paper based test to a computer-based assessment and is working closely with the states and territories and the non-government sector,” Mr Pyne said.