Queensland most improved state on NAPLAN but state still below national average in all 20 test scores QUEENSLAND has taken back the title of most improved state or territory on NAPLAN, with Year 5 and 3 students posting record state results in this year's national literacy and numeracy tests. But despite posting its best results ever, the state is still below the national average in all 20 test scores as it continues to play catch-up. The results are contained in the 2013 NAPLAN Summary Report, which has just been released. About 245,000 Queensland students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sat the NAPLAN exams, which test reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, over three days in May. Overall, Queensland came about fourth or fifth out of eight states and territories in the percentage of students at or above the National Minimum Standard category in the 2013 NAPLAN exams. In the national average - or Mean Scale Score - Queensland students placed around 5th to 6th. Last year the state came third-last - 6th - overall. In the inaugural tests in 2008 Queensland was second-last behind the Northern Territory. Department of Education, Training and Employment deputy director-general Jeff Hunt said the results showed reforms across the state, including the Prep year, Australian Curriculum and teaching and learning audits, were making a difference and congratulated students and teachers statewide on their efforts. He said Queensland's first full Prep Year cohort, which this year moved into Year 5, has once again posted record state results for its year level, while Year 3 students also had posted some record results. Yr 3 4th*6th*4th*4th*4th Yr 5 4th*5th*4th*4th*4th Yr 7 7th*6th*5th*5th*3rd Yr 9 6th*6th*4th*5th*5th Yr 3 6th*4th*6th*4th*6th Yr 5 4th*5th*5th*5th*4th Yr 7 7th*6th*6th*5th*5th Yr 9 7th*6th*5th*6th*5th #Grammar and Punctuation