Did your child take NAPLAN (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy) on an empty stomach in 2025? However, it doesn't have to be that way. The testing schedule was from March 12 to March 24, which overlapped with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Ramadan began on March 1. For Muslims, that period involves fasting from dawn to sunset, with a focus on spiritual devotion and contemplation. At this time, students are also expected to tackle one of the biggest academic tests of the year.

Let's be honest: Fasting can change everything. Energy levels, concentration, and even mood can shift. So, being a Muslim, is your child at a disadvantage?

Not exactly. In this blog, we’ll discuss simple ways for parents and teachers to work together for NAPLAN during Ramadan. Let's make sure that your young learners feel supported in both their religious observance and their exams.

Quick Look

• NAPLAN scheduling during Ramadan can pose challenges for Muslim students due to fasting and altered sleep patterns.

• The overlap of Ramadan with NAPLAN exams affects students' energy levels, concentration, and overall performance.

• Schools can support fasting students by scheduling tests early in the morning, offering flexibility, and creating a comfortable testing environment.

• Parents should proactively communicate with schools to make sure that their child receives the necessary accommodations during NAPLAN.

• Educators recognize the need for better inclusivity in scheduling and consider the physical and mental strain Ramadan places on students.

Important Scenarios of NAPLAN During Ramadan

NAPLAN is a nationwide series of exams that assesses students' literacy and numeracy skills. These exams, administered to students in grades 3, 5, 7, and 9, help evaluate students' progress against national standards.

However, a few scenarios that impact NAPLAN are:

What if a School is Closed for Eid?

Eid is a major holiday for Muslim families, and many Islamic schools may close during this time to celebrate. If a school is closed during the NAPLAN testing period, it must request permission from its local Test Administration Authority (TAA). They can reschedule or modify the testing schedule.

If you do this, students don't miss out on important assessments due to religious observances.

See how FunFox can support your child’s educational journey to perform during NAPLAN.

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What if a Student is Absent on Test Days?

Schools help students who miss NAPLAN tests. This includes absences for religious holidays or fasting-related fatigue. These students can take the tests on a later date within the scheduled period.

The goal is to provide flexibility and fairness, giving all students an equal opportunity to complete their assessments despite scheduling conflicts. Parents need to communicate with schools early to discuss any concerns about test dates.

So, rescheduling a test is one thing, but you can't reschedule a student's energy. The real story is in the toll that fasting takes. Let's understand the effects on performance and the powerful ways to help students excel.

Also Read: History of NAPLAN: Everything You Need to Know About the Test

What are the Challenges of NAPLAN During Ramadan?

The challenge of fasting during NAPLAN is unavoidable because of the alignment of these two important events. One is the sacredness of Ramadan, and the other is the academic importance of NAPLAN tests. While schools can try to make accommodations, fasting still impacts students, making it difficult to avoid these challenges.

Here is the list of challenges that students face:

1. Lower energy levels

   Fasting students often experience a significant dip in energy, especially in the latter half of the day. The lack of food and water can leave students feeling drained, making it difficult for them to concentrate during exams. This could hinder their ability to complete reading, writing, and problem-solving tasks within the time frame.

2. Broken Sleep Cycle

   Fasting during Ramadan often disrupts students' sleep schedules. Many students wake up early for the pre-dawn meal (suhoor). As a result, they may feel exhausted by the time the afternoon exams roll around. Fatigue can significantly affect a student’s cognitive abilities and performance on tests.

3. Mood fluctuations

   Hunger and dehydration can lead to irritability or emotional distress. As NAPLAN exams are timed and high-pressure, these mood changes can result in anxiety or frustration. Students who are normally calm and focused may find it harder to manage their emotions when fasting.

4. Logistical Challenges for Administrators

   Organizing NAPLAN testing across Australia is a complex task, requiring coordination between schools, local authorities, and educational bodies. When Ramadan overlaps with NAPLAN, it adds another layer of difficulty for administrators.

   Ramadan follows the Islamic lunar calendar, which shifts by about 10 days each year. The shifting nature of the Islamic calendar means that the dates for Ramadan are never fixed. This creates a dilemma for administrators who aim to hold NAPLAN at the same time each year to verify long-term data consistency.

   Every year, NAPLAN administrators have to check when Ramadan will begin and plan testing schedules accordingly. This requires constant adjustments, adding complexity to what is already a carefully organized testing process.

   This means that flexibility in scheduling becomes a necessity to accommodate fasting students and observe religious holidays like Eid al-Fitr. The desire for consistency in the timing of NAPLAN in Australia to guarantee that long-term data remains comparable can clash with the need for inclusivity.

   This approach can also create discrepancies in the data. Because different states and schools may try varying methods for managing the overlap between Ramadan and NAPLAN testing.

Now, schools in Australia are providing the required support to the students. However, we must not forget that these are part of the unavoidable challenges that Muslim students face.

Once you're well aware of the challenges, your 1st step is to make sure this doesn't happen with your child. So, what steps can you take for 2026 to mitigate the above risks? We'll discuss that in the next section.

Solutions to Support Students During Ramadan, 2026

Looking ahead, the timing of Ramadan will continue to shift, and by 2028, Ramadan will occur in the middle of Australia’s summer. The long, hot days will make fasting even more challenging for students, particularly when combined with the pressures of NAPLAN.

With students fasting for up to 14 hours a day and the potential for extreme heat, administrators will face even bigger challenges in supporting students. There are several practical solutions that can create a more equitable testing environment for all students. Here's how:

1. Parental Involvement

Schools should encourage parents to discuss early about their concerns and to identify accommodations that can help their child perform. This proactive approach can include discussions about providing extra support or guaranteeing a healthy suhoor.

2. School Support

Schools are encouraged to schedule NAPLAN exams as early in the morning as possible to accommodate fasting students. Fasting students typically have higher energy levels after their pre-dawn meal, making morning exams more favorable.

Scheduling tests early also makes sure that students can complete the exams before fatigue sets in.

3. Creating Comfortable Environments

To further support fasting students, many schools are taking steps to make the testing environment more accommodating. This includes shortening school days to allow students more time to rest and recuperate.

Additionally, schools may provide more comfortable environments for students by controlling classroom temperatures and offering additional breaks. Such adjustments help reduce the physical strain on fasting students, helping them to focus on their exams.

That said, a supportive and inclusive environment helps educators support Muslim students taking NAPLAN during Ramadan.

Read Also: Understanding Adaptive Testing in NAPLAN

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Wrapping Up

In the end, the overlap of NAPLAN and Ramadan is less an invincible conflict and more a call for mindful support. As a parent, both you and the school can create an environment where students can give their required effort during this sacred time.

At FunFox, we recognize the importance of providing a supportive and flexible learning environment, particularly for students facing these unique challenges. Our FunFox Writers Club and FunFox Readers Club offer personalized tutoring programs designed to build confidence while maintaining a focus on the student’s well-being.

FunFox certifies that learning continues smoothly. With flexible scheduling and a focus on community engagement, FunFox supports students to be culturally sensitive while attempting the NAPLAN during Ramadan.

FAQs

How does fasting during Ramadan affect a student’s NAPLAN performance?

Fasting can lead to fatigue, reduced concentration, and lower energy levels. This may make it harder for students to focus and perform during NAPLAN tests.

Can schools reschedule NAPLAN tests if they conflict with Eid or Ramadan?

Yes, schools can request permission from their local Test Administration Authority (TAA) to adjust the testing schedule if it conflicts with religious holidays like Eid.

How does FunFox support students who are fasting during NAPLAN?

FunFox offers flexible scheduling, small group classes, and a personalized approach. These techniques help students to continue learning while observing Ramadan.

What if my child misses a NAPLAN test due to fasting or illness?

Schools typically allow students to resit missed tests within the testing window, guaranteeing no student is disadvantaged due to fasting or absence.