Research says online NAPLAN tests feasible

National paper and pencil exams could be consigned to history and replaced with online versions that are tailored to how well students are completing tests.

Students would answer a series of literacy and numeracy questions and an algorithm uses their responses to choose the next lot of questions from sets of varying difficulty.

The Australian Curriculum, Reporting and Assessment Authority has found tailored test design engages students more in assessments because they are adjusted to an individual's need during a test.

It's a key part of moving to online assessment, which the federal government has pledged to do for NAPLAN tests.

The authority's assessment and reporting manager Stanley Rabinowitz said this was the future of assessment.

"We will get better, quicker results to benefit government, schools, parents, teachers and students," he said.

"We expect to see more engaged students and better informed teachers and parents."

Education Minister Christopher Pyne said moving NAPLAN tests online and getting the results back quicker would let schools better work out how to help students.

After two years of research, ACARA found the adaptable tests gave a better measurement of student performance, especially for those at the high and low extremes.

It also found students felt more positive and accomplished after taking the online tailored testing, regardless of their abilities.

One of the criticisms often levelled at NAPLAN is that students feel unduly pressured and stressed about the testing.

The research in 2013 involved 2500 primary school and 1500 high school students.

The next stage of research started in August to further refine the tests. It will also trial delivering grammar, punctuation and spelling tests online.