A new national study has found that Australian primary school students who regularly used the digital maths program, Mathletics, achieved significantly higher results in the 2024 NAPLAN numeracy tests compared to students who did not use the program.
The research, based on data from more than 1,000 Australian schools, identified a clear statistically significant correlation between program usage and improved numeracy performance among Year 3 and Year 5 students.
Key findings include:
- Year 3 students using Mathletics scored on average 7.6 points higher than their peers.
- Year 5 students scored 9.6 points higher - the equivalent of one term’s worth of additional progress.
- Students using the program for as little as 15–30 minutes per week achieved measurable improvements, with higher engagement leading to stronger outcomes.
Chief Product Officer, Katy Pike, said the findings contribute valuable evidence to the ongoing national conversation about how best to improve maths outcomes in Australian schools.
“At a time when Australia's maths performance is under national scrutiny, this analysis shows that curriculum-aligned digital tools like Mathletics can be part of the solution. Students who engaged consistently with the program achieved significant NAPLAN gains - and the data shows a clear pattern: the more regularly students used it, the stronger their results.”
The study conducted by 3P Learning, using NAPLAN data from the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), compared results from schools actively using Mathletics between June 2023 and February 2024 with those that did not during the same period. Rigorous techniques such as stratified sampling, bootstrapping and regression analysis were applied to ensure statistical reliability.
Mathletics is a digital mathematics program aligned to the Australian Curriculum. It includes a range of activities and exercises that adapt to individual student ability levels, providing immediate feedback as students work through content. The program is designed to be used as a supplement to classroom instruction.
“There’s an ongoing national conversation about how best to lift Australia’s maths performance and teachers are under constant pressure to improve student outcomes,” said Ben Maloney, Mathematics Leader and Year 6 Teacher at Brentwood Park Primary School in Victoria.
“What this research adds is evidence that targeted, curriculum-aligned digital tools can play a role alongside traditional teaching. When used consistently, they provide measurable benefits for students across sectors and locations,” he added.
Penelope Naidoo, Product Lead for Mathletics, said the findings underscore the value of using evidence-based digital tools to enhance classroom instruction.
“NAPLAN results regularly spark debate about how best to lift Australia’s maths performance. This research shows that technology can support both teachers and learners. Teachers, parents, and students alike are looking for ways to strengthen maths skills, and this study shows that when used consistently, digital platforms like Mathletics can have a real impact.”
Link here to The Research Report, The Impact of Mathletics on NAPLAN Numeracy Performance
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1VjguH2-ELT_OjsqWIhj2V32oHz4YaQQj?usp=sharing
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NAPLAN Numeracy Assessment
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is Australia’s standardised testing framework for mathematical and literacy competencies. Conducted annually across Years 3, 5, 7 and 9, NAPLAN generates comparative performance data through consistent assessment protocols. Numeracy assessment within NAPLAN evaluates students’ mathematical understanding across curriculum-aligned domains. Assessment scores are calibrated on a continuous scale, enabling longitudinal tracking and cross-cohort comparison. For this research, analysis focuses on numeracy outcomes for Years 3 and 5 cohorts. Year 3 numeracy scores range from 136 to 555, with a national mean of 399.9. Year 5 numeracy scores range from 187 to 669, with a national mean of 480.4.
Mathletics Digital Learning Platform
Mathletics is an online mathematics program for students aged 5-16, providing curriculum-aligned mathematical instruction through interactive digital activities. The platform employs mastery-based progression where students advance through mathematical concepts after demonstrating competency in previous topics. The program incorporates immediate feedback mechanisms and differentiated content delivery. Reporting functions enable educators to track student progress and identify performance patterns across mathematical domains
