National Exams Proposed for Years 6, 10 and 12 in Australian Schools

On October 27, 2026, a report from the Page Research Centre—a Nationals-backed think tank—recommended that the federal government commission a feasibility study for three new national examinations. The plan would introduce standardized tests in year 6, year 10 and an optional exam in year 12, each including an English component. The exams are intended to provide a consistent measure of student progress from kindergarten through the end of secondary schooling, addressing the current patchwork of state-based assessments.

The Sydney Morning Herald

The report argues that Australia’s “inconsistent” assessment system allows some students to obtain an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) without ever sitting a formal exam, while others must sit state-run examinations. It identifies “grade creep” in year-12 results—an increasing proportion of top marks despite stagnant or declining scores in national tests such as NAPLAN and PISA. The authors also warn that reliance on take-home assessments makes the system vulnerable to AI misuse and external tutoring. Dr Fiona Mueller, the report’s author, contends that education policies are overly influenced by “unproven, experimental approaches” and that formal examinations are essential “trusted signals of achievement,” as described by the OECD.

The Sydney Morning Herald

The Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) maintains that ATARs are comparable across all Australian states and territories, stating that an ATAR of 85.00 in New South Wales or the Australian Capital Territory is equivalent to an ATAR of 85.00 elsewhere. Opposition education spokesman Julian Leeser called for a review of existing assessment practices, emphasizing the need to distinguish between completing an assessment task and genuine learning. Dr Mueller reiterated the call for an independent review of the ATAR system and a national framework to guide school-leavers.

The Sydney Morning Herald

• The report cites evidence of “grade creep” in year-12 reports.

The Sydney Morning Herald

• National assessments such as NAPLAN and PISA show stagnant or declining performance trends.

The Sydney Morning Herald

• The UAC’s statement affirms uniformity of ATAR scores across jurisdictions.

The Sydney Morning Herald

• “ATAR is a national system, but how can we be confident in our school-leavers if an ATAR from Perth doesn’t carry the same weight as an ATAR from Melbourne?” — Julian Leeser, opposition education spokesman — Julian Leeser, opposition education spokesman

The Sydney Morning Herald