QTS skills tests
Hero Carousel
You should be taking the tests within one month of your interview date. When you attend the test centre you will need to provide evidence of your application to UEL.
As passing the tests is a condition of entry, we expect applicants who are successful in obtaining an offer of a place to have passed the tests by 1 August of the same academic year at the latest.
If you have passed the tests recently but haven’t yet shared this good news with us, then please let us know which test you have passed and the date(s).
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; and
- are computerised and can be taken at any of the approximately 150 test centres throughout the UK.
You can find more information on the registration process as well as guidance and support materials to help you pass the test on the DfE website.
Booking skills tests
Skills tests are delivered via the national network of Pearson Professional Centres (PPCs). Test centres are also available in Paris, Madrid and Frankfurt.
Preparing for your tests
We have put together a list of books and websites you may find helpful to help you prepare for your tests:
Number of attempts
The number of re-sits allowed is limited to two per programme. This came into effect from 1 September 2012 and applies to all skills test candidates. Previous unsuccessful attempts by any existing trainees do not count towards this limit; any test taken from 1 September 2012 counts as their first attempt.
Candidates who fail after two re-sits in either numeracy or literacy are not able to book any more skills tests, in either subject, for 24 months from the date of the second re-sit. This gives candidates a reasonable time during which they can become proficient at the skills assessed in the tests before further attempts.
Special arrangements
If you previously required special arrangements in a test or public exam you can request the same for the Professional Skills Tests.
Contact details for the special arrangements team are:
Skills Tests Helpline, Telephone: 0845 450 8867, between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, or email skillstests@pearson.com
When registering online for the tests, you need to state that you require a special arrangement when prompted. Please do not book a standard test online first.
If you would like some advice on special arrangements whilst at UEL, please contact our Disability, Dyslexia & Access Centre (DDAC) at ddac@uel.ac.uk or telephone 020 8223 7611.
Cost
Candidates will receive their first attempt at each test free of charge but will be charged for re-sits at a cost of £19.25 per test which is payable at the time of booking.
Results
The tests are computer marked. When you have finished a test, you will be immediately informed on screen of the outcome. If you have not passed, you will get some feedback on screen. Before you leave the centre, you will be given a printout of your result and any feedback. UEL will validate your Test results separately through the secure results web site. You should check the registration and booking website 48 hours after taking the test to ensure that the results have been uploaded correctly into your test history.
Please visit the DfE website for the most up to date guidance.