Professional Skills Tests

What are QTS Professional Skills Tests? 
All trainee teachers are required to pass skills tests in numeracy and literacy before they can be recommended for the award of qualified teacher status (QTS). Applicants to ITT courses which start after 1 July 2013, will be required to pass the skills tests before beginning their course 

What Does the Course Include?
The numeracy and literacy skills tests cover the core skills required by teachers to fulfil their professional role in schools, as opposed to the specific subject knowledge required for teaching. This is to ensure all teachers are competent in numeracy and literacy irrespective of their specialism; 

• Please note that the QTS Professional Skills test does not replace the GCSE grade C equivalence entry requirements.
• The QTS test is set in the context of the professional role of a teacher; all questions use real data and information which teachers are likely to encounter.
• The QTS test is computerised and can be taken at over 150 test centres throughout the UK. 

The QTS Numeracy Skills Test

• The test lasts for 48 minutes.
• 18 seconds are allocated to answer each question after the second reading.
• Candidates are given paper for taking notes.
• The QTS numeracy skills test numeracy features 2 sections;

• Mental Arithmetic
  This is an audio test, which requires the use of headphones. There is a mental arithmetic part comprising of twelve questions worth twelve points where calculators are not permitted.
• On-screen Questions
  An on-screen calculator can be used for this part of the test where candidates are required to interpret and use statistical data in addition to use and application of general arithmetic. Interpreting and utilizing statistical data has seven points and application of general arithmetic has nine points.

• You cannot take the test from your own computer at home or from your school premises.
• There is going to be an officially designated test centre where you will be asked to take the test.
• Despite the facts that this test in on-screen based, pencil and paper are provided so that candidates can take notes and work on their calculations.