Numeracy and literacy skills tests
Finding out about numeracy and literacy skills tests for teaching
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Applicants for an initial teacher training course which starts after 1st July 2013 will be required to have passed the QTS numeracy and literacy skills tests before starting the course.
The numeracy and literacy skills tests:
- Cover the core skills that teachers need to fulfil their professional role in schools, rather than the subject knowledge required for teaching. This is to ensure all teachers are competent in numeracy and literacy, regardless of their specialism
- Do not replace the GCSE grade C equivalence entry requirement
- Are set in the context of the professional role of a teacher; all questions use real data and information which teachers are likely to encounter
- Are computerised and can be taken at any of approximately 150 test centres throughout the UK.
You can register with the test appointment booking system at any time but you can only take the tests after you have applied.
PGCE providers will use skills tests results to inform their decisions so applicants are strongly advised to take the tests as soon as possible after submitting an application.
You are advised to practice numeracy tests and practice literacy tests before sitting the tests.

