Help with the literacy and numeracy skills tests for
QTS
Current ITT trainees need to pass the tests before they can be recommended for the
award of qualified teacher status (QTS).
Applicants starting ITT training courses from September 2013 need to pass the tests
before starting their course.
Further information
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/careers/traininganddevelopment/professional
The pass mark for the test is 63%
Numeracy Test
The numeracy skills test is a computerised test covering three areas: mental
arithmetic, interpreting and using written data, and solving written arithmetic
problems. The test must be completed within 48 minutes, unless special
arrangements have been granted.
Audio (mental arithmetic)
The mental arithmetic section is an audio test heard through headphones and
tests your ability to carry out mental calculations using; time, fractions,
percentages, measurements and conversions. Each question is individuallytimed and the use of a calculator is not permitted.
On-screen questions
This section is presented in a series of on-screen questions, for which you
can use an on-screen calculator.
You are tested on your ability to interpret and use written data to:
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identify trends correctly;
make comparisons in order to draw conclusions;
interpret information accurately.
You will also be tested on your ability to solve written arithmetic problems
which are set in a variety of situations and will include:
time;
money;
proportion and ratio;
percentages, fractions and decimals;
measurements (e.g. distance, area);
conversions (e.g. from one currency to another, from fractions to
decimals or percentages);
averages (including mean, median, mode and range where relevant);
using simple formulae.
Test Marking
Each test contains 28 questions: 12 mental arithmetic and 16 on-screen. All
questions carry one mark regardless of the number of required responses.
Practice tests for numeracy
http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/n/numeracy%20practice%20pa
per%202.pdf
http://www.education.gov.uk/QTS/Numeracy/assessment_engine.html
Useful resources:
 Fairclough, L, Lea, C, Nelms, R and Shay, M, 2001, Success with
numeracy for the QTS skills test (Book/CD ROM), Success
Publications
 Patmore, M, 2012, Passing the numeracy skills test, 5th ed, Learning
Matters Ltd
 Cooke, H, Graham, A, Houssart, J and Mason, J, 2001, Passport to
professional numeracy, arithmetic and statistics for teachers, David
Fulton Publishers
 Tyreman, C, How to pass the QTS numeracy skills test, 2009, Kogan
Page Limited
 Mooney et al, 2011, Achieving QTS Primary Mathematics Knowledge
and Understanding, 5th ed, Learning Matters Ltd.
 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Passing-Numeracy-Skills-AchievingSeries/dp/0857258834
Literacy Tests
The literacy professional skills test for trainee teachers is a computerised test
divided into four sections: spelling, punctuation, grammar and comprehension.
The test must be completed within 45 minutes, unless special arrangements
have been granted.
Spelling
The spelling section is an audio test heard through headphones and must be
answered first. This is the only part of the test that may not be revisited when
you have left it.
The words tested are those that you could reasonably be expected to use in
your professional role as a teacher; the words are not especially obscure or
technical and are used frequently in professional writing.
You will not be penalised if you adopt American English usage when asked to
spell a word which has an -ise or -ize suffix, otherwise you are required to use
standard British English usage.
Punctuation
The correct and consistent use of punctuation is an essential aspect of a
teacher’s literacy; clear writing demands the ability to understand and apply
the rules of punctuation.
There are 15 instances of punctuation that need to be inserted, you are not
required to remove or re-write any sections of the passage. The passage may
contain instances where punctuation is acceptable although not essential;
non-essential punctuation will not attract extra marks, nor will marks be
deducted.
Grammar
This section tests the ability to identify text that does not conform to good
grammatical practice. You will be expected to distinguish between text that
makes sense and clearly conveys its intended meaning and text that does
not. You will not be tested on your knowledge of grammatical terms, but on
your knowledge of how to use grammar correctly.
The grammar section requires you to construct a short, continuous prose
passage. At four or more points in the text you will be asked to select the most
appropriate choice for insertion to complete the passage.
Comprehension
This comprehension section tests the ability to identify main points in a text,
distinguish between facts and opinions, retrieve facts and key points, make
inferences and deductions, evaluate meaning and status. On occasions the
ability to actively re-work, organise and structure that information, will be
required.
The tests use texts such as documents published by various local and
national government bodies, schools and the educational press. Extracts from
websites and national newspapers are also used.
Test marking
The total number of marks available in the literacy skills tests ranges from 41
to 49 depending upon the test.
There are 10 marks available for the spelling section; 15 marks available for
the punctuation section and between 8 and 12 marks for the grammar and
comprehension sections.
Practice tests
http://www.education.gov.uk/QTS/Literacy/assessment_engine.html
http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/l/literacy%20practice%20paper
%202.pdf
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Useful Resources
Johnson, Jim, 2012, Passing the Literacy Skills Test, third edition,
(Achieving QTS Series), Learning Matters Ltd, due for publication in June
2012
Medwell et al, 2012, Primary English: Knowledge and Understanding,
sixth edition, (Achieving QTS Series), Learning Matters Ltd
Gowers, Ernest, 1987, The Complete Plain Words, Penguin Books Ltd
Peck, John and Coyle, Martin, 2005, The Student’s Guide to Writing:
Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling, second edition, Palgrave Macmillan.
Skills test FAQs
Why are the tests being made harder?
The decision to increase the rigour of the tests by raising the pass mark
underlines the importance of the tests as a tool for raising the standards of
those entering the teaching profession.
Increasing the pass mark of the test was first considered in the publication in
November 2010 of the Department for Education’s White Paper, The
Importance of Teaching – The Schools White Paper, and the outcomes of
consultation following the publication in June 2011 of Training our next
generation of outstanding teachers – An improvement strategy for discussion.
I have an English degree and I am not going to teach maths when I
qualify. Do I really need to take the skills tests?
The professional skills tests for trainee teachers are intended to ensure all
teachers have a good grounding in the use of numeracy and literacy in the
wider context of the professional role of the teacher, regardless of their
specialism or intended teaching age range. The same standards have to be
met by all candidates, regardless of their previous qualifications.
I am an ITT student; what happens if I fail one, or both, skills tests three
times?
Trainees cannot be recommended for the award of QTS until they have
passed the skills tests, but they still can complete the course and be deferred
for QTS, pending successful completion of the tests.
After a two-year period has elapsed from the date of the second resit, they
would be eligible to take three further attempts at the skills tests. If the test is
passed at this point, they may be eligible to be recommended for the award of
QTS. The two-year period is considered a reasonable time during which
candidates can become proficient at the skills assessed in the tests before
further attempts.
The Teaching Agency maintains records of all trainees and test results, the
trainee would be responsible for deciding whether or not to resit once two
years have elapsed.
How much do the tests cost?
The first attempt at each subject is free of charge, but re-sits will cost £19.25.
English is not my first language. Will this disadvantage me?
The skills tests are designed to check that you are sufficiently proficient in
using Standard English to fulfil your professional role as a teacher. If English
is not your first language and you need support, you are able to request 25
per cent extra time. Further information is available on the special
arrangements pages.
Will applicants who are overseas be able to access these tests?
Skills tests will not be available outside the UK. Providers will be able to
manage individual circumstances which fall outside the norm. Applications
from overseas residents is an example of where a provider may choose to
interview a candidate before they attempt the skills tests, allowing them to
pass the test at a test centre in the UK later in the application process, but
before they start the ITT course.
Are there set texts which I should study for the comprehension sections of the
literacy skills tests?
No, the literacy tests use texts such as documents published by various local
and national government bodies, schools and the educational press. Extracts
from websites and national newspapers are also used.
Are candidates’ expenses reimbursed?
Reimbursement is only provided if there is a problem with the administration
of the test at the test centre, beyond the candidate’s control, which prevented
them from completing a test. In these instances, candidates will be provided
with a Teaching Agency cares card by the test centre, enabling them to
access more information about reimbursement.
The Teaching Agency will not be responsible, nor offer any refund or
compensation, for any costs incurred to a training provider in obtaining
replacement or substitute teachers to cover while a candidate is attending a
skills test appointment.