A West Australian school has been caught cheating at NAPLAN, with teachers handing out a cheat sheet on the day when students were meant to have only a bit of blank paper for working out.

The 2024 results were released late on Tuesday night, with a group of 19 year 3 students’ results withheld due to “inappropriate assistance being made available” during the test – the only substantiated report of cheating made across the country.

A spokesman for the School Curriculum and Standards Authority said it involved a planning sheet, which helps students prepare before NAPLAN testing, being handed out on the day of the test, when students were only permitted to have a blank piece of paper for working out.

“The school has been counselled and is undertaking measures to improve procedures for future years. The compromised data has been withheld,” he said.

It was overall a rather dismal showing for WA’s year 3s.

Almost half of year 3s were not proficient in grammar or punctuation, and in reading, more recorded results in the lowest band – “needs additional support” – than any other mainland state.

In total, 47.6 per cent of students fell into the lowest two bands, and the results weren’t much better in spelling, with 40 per cent falling into the lower categories.

By year 9 the opposite results were recorded, however, with WA having the highest number of students of all states and territories falling into the top two bands across all subject areas except writing; even above the ACT, known for its high scores.

Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority chief executive Stephen Gniel said the results showed strong performances from students in literacy and numeracy across the board.