Best Start Year 7

Best Start Year 7 is an optional NSW Department of Education literacy and numeracy assessment for schools. The assessment provides a snapshot of the literacy and numeracy skills and understandings that students bring to secondary school.

The assessment will be available for schools to use between 10 February and 13 March 2020.

There is a cost for NSW independent schools to access Best Start Year 7. In 2020, this cost is $2 per student. The NSW Department of Education will invoice schools for payment.

Information sessions for interested schools

For any schools interested in using the assessment in 2020, it is strongly suggested that you first participate in one of the Adobe Connect information sessions hosted by the NSW Department of Education. These live, interactive sessions will provide schools with more information about Best Start Year 7 in order to help make an informed choice about opting in to Best Start Year 7 in 2020.

Dates for the Adobe Connect Session include:

  • Tuesday 24 September 8:00 – 8:45am
  • Wednesday 16 October 3:30 – 4:15 pm

To join either of the Adobe Connect sessions listed above, use the following link available 15 mins prior to selected session time.

NSW Department of Education sessions that have been recorded previously are also available to view. It is important to note, however, that the information provided in these sessions is specific to NSW Department of Education schools. Links to the recordings are provided below:

More information

Opting in to Best Start Year 7 2020

Having participated in one of the information sessions and deciding that your school would like to participate in Best Start Year 7 in 2020, please complete the following online form by Friday, 1 November 2019.

Following the 1 November closing date, AISNSW will be in touch to confirm access to the eLearning (Terms 4, 2019 and Term 1, 2020) and preparation that must be undertaken to access Best Start Year 7.

Opt in link