1. Professional Skills Tests
Numeracy & Literacy

2. Why the Skills Tests?
 they assess the core skills that teachers need to fulfil their professional role in schools, rather than the subject knowledge needed for teaching
the Government feels that this will ensure all teachers are competent in numeracy and literacy, regardless of their specialism
 prospective trainee teachers must pass the skills tests in numeracy and literacy before they can be recommended for the award of qualified teacher status (QTS)
Almost 90% of prospective teachers passed both skills tests in 2015/16 - the key to successfully passing is plenty of preparation and practice

3. The Process
 You can take your skills tests once you have evidence of having submitted your application through UCAS Teacher Training
You can book your tests in advance of this, as long as an application is submitted before you attend the test centre
You are strongly advised to practise the tests before taking them to familiarise yourself with the functionality of the tests. For more information and to use interactive practice tests, visit the numeracy and literacy tests pages
( taking-the-professional-skills-tests

4. The Process continued
You can complete a fully interactive online test; simply follow the instructions on the page and use this activation key: jhULiqgX
( skills-tests)

5. Booking the Test
You can book your first literacy and numeracy test attempts free of charge through learndirect, the Department for Education’s delivery partner
You can take the tests at learndirect test centres across the country
Once you're ready to take the tests, the learndirect website will give you the five nearest centres to your chosen location, though if you are able to take the tests elsewhere, for instance if you’re away from home visiting friends and family, you could widen your search by looking at alternative locations –  view the full list of test centres including 9 in London, 1 in Paris and 1 in Madrid (XLS document). Do keep checking the website for the latest availability, as additional test slots are made available on a regular basis
skills-tests

6. More on test arrangements
If you have a conditional offer and have not yet booked your tests, don’t worry – book your tests and inform your training provider when you do take the tests
Make sure you know where the test centre is, how long it will take to get there and what you need to take with you. Arrive in plenty of time to avoid being marked absent and losing your first free test attempt
If English isn’t your first language or you have different needs to other candidates – such as a hearing or visual impairment, a physical disability, or dyslexia – you can ask for special arrangements to be made or additional time in your tests. You’ll need to make your request in advance and ensure you supply any stipulated evidence to prove you require special arrangements

7. What you need with you on the day
As well as providing 2 forms of identification
( professional-skills-tests
at the test centre, you’ll also need to take proof of your teacher training application with you. The evidence that will be accepted includes:
an  from UCAS Teacher Training Track or Teach First
correspondence from a teacher training organisation
correspondence from a school or training provider
a copy of a completed application form
confirmation of, or an invitation to, an interview from a teacher training organisation, training provider or school

8. Marking and Support
The skills tests are computer marked. Once you have finished a test, you will be provided with a printed score report. Certificates are not issued and it is therefore strongly recommended that you keep the printed score report for your own records
Skills test passes for applicants to ITT courses remain valid for 3 years from the date of the test you passed. You must start an ITT course within this period
Learndirect’s helpline is available from Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm

Telephone:

9. Registering
Before booking a professional skills test for prospective teachers you will need to register online with learndirect
All candidates will be asked to provide their personal details. These should match exactly the details in your application form and the ID you will use when attending the test centre. If the details don’t match, you may not be permitted to take the test.
All correspondence will be sent by so it is essential that you give a valid address when you register.
Once you have registered you can book your skills test online
If you are entitled to access arrangements you must state that you require special arrangements when prompted during registration.

10. Booking a Test
Your first attempt at each numeracy and literacy skills test is provided free of charge. If you cancel a test within 3 days of your test date, you’ll need to pay for your next attempt.
You can take the skills tests at centres across the country. The list of centres is updated as more venues become available. You can use the list to plan for your test. Alternatively, you can use the skills test booking website to search for a test centre. The booking website will show the 5 centres nearest to your chosen location. Some areas have more than 5 centres, eg London has 9, so think about widening your search by looking for slots at alternative locations.
More test slots are offered all the time, so check the booking website for availability

11. Resits
The first attempt at each numeracy and literacy test is provided free of charge. Resits are charged at £19.25 each. Payment will be required by credit or debit card when booking.
Failure to attend a test appointment may result in the loss of fees or the loss of entitlement to a free attempt

12. Most of us get nervous about tests, but practice and preparation is the key. Newly qualified teacher, James, shared how he prepared for his professional skills test. 
Practise, practise, practise!
"I made use of the practice papers online to test myself and check where I was going wrong. It’s definitely a good idea for applicants to revise from a higher-level GCSE revision guide to brush up on core skills and knowledge. You can never be too prepared."
James’ View

13. James’ View Continued Keep calm
"Don’t stress or worry about them as you do have three attempts. They are a necessary hurdle to overcome, but you must revise.
The majority of people are more than capable, and it’s just a case of making sure you refresh your knowledge on numeracy and literacy“
Network
"I also found it helpful to attend a university careers service. This is where I had the opportunity to talk directly to current trainees, so I could hear first-hand what the skills tests were really like, and get useful hints and tips.“
The Test
"I think the ‘best’ time to take the test varies from person to person and each person’s individual situation. I took the tests after receiving my conditional offer – I felt I had enough to do with interview preparation without having to worry about the skills tests, so I made sure I prepared for my interview first, and then I set aside time to focus on them. But you can complete the tests once you’ve submitted your application.

14. More James
“I took my tests on two separate days, so I could stagger my work and balance my other work commitments.”

15. Numeracy Test The numeracy skills test is divided into 2 areas:
mental arithmetic section
written section (written arithmetic and written data)
You will not be tested on your knowledge of the mathematics national curriculum or on how to teach it.
The standard test will last approximately 48 minutes, unless specific arrangements have been granted.
Each test contains 28 questions made up of 12 mental arithmetic questions and 16 written questions (written arithmetic and written data), plus a practice question that is not scored. All questions carry 1 mark regardless of the number of required responses.

16. Mental arithmetic questions
The mental arithmetic section is an audio test which you will listen to via headphones provided for you. It tests your ability to carry out mental calculations using:
addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
time
fractions, decimals and percentages
proportions involving fractions, decimals and percentages
measurement, including money, distance, area and volume
conversions
Each question is individually timed. You are not allowed to use a calculator for the mental arithmetic questions.

17. Written section (written arithmetic and written data)
Written questions are presented in a series of on-screen questions. You may use an on-screen calculator. You are tested on your ability to interpret and use written data to:
identify trends correctly
make comparisons in order to draw conclusions
interpret information accurately

18. Written section (written arithmetic and written data)
You’ll be tested on your ability to solve written arithmetic problems which include:
time
money
fractions, decimals and percentages
proportion and ratio
measurements (eg distance, area)
conversions
averages (including mean, median and mode)
range
using simple formulae

19. The literacy professional skills test
The literacy professional skills test is divided into 4 sections:
spelling
punctuation
grammar
comprehension
You will not be tested on your knowledge of the English national curriculum or on how to teach it.
The test must be completed within 45 minutes, unless you have been granted specific arrangements.

20. The literacy professional skills test
The total number of marks available ranges from 41 to 49, depending on the test. These are broken down as follows:
spelling section – 10 marks
punctuation section – 15 marks
grammar – marks
comprehension section – between 10 and 12 marks