University College Plymouth St Mark & St John

Computerised QTS skills tests

http://www.tda.gov.uk

Information for Trainee Teachers at UCP Marjon

Government requirement

All trainees seeking to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) need to pass computerised tests in Numeracy, Literacy and ICT before they can obtain QTS and pass their course.  The tests last from 35-48 minutes depending on the type of test taken (tests for students with special requirements, e.g. foreign or dyslexic students, are also available).

• QTS is the qualification needed to be employed as a teacher in a maintained school (a state school) in the UK.
• The GTC is the General Teaching Council: this organisation will register all qualified teachers.
• The induction period is the first year of full-time teaching.  This has to be passed to fully complete initial teacher training.

Taking the tests

The tests can be taken at any of over 100 Pearson Professional Centres (which is where the Theory Driving Tests are also taken) in the country.  A trainee can take their tests at any stage during the final year of their Teacher Training Course (but not before their course has started).

There is no limit to the number of attempts a trainee can make in order to pass the tests, so you are strongly advised to take your tests early.  The tests are computer marked and trainees are given immediate feedback about their result. 

The procedure for taking the tests is as follows:

1. Shortly after registration at UCP Marjon each student will receive their Teacher Reference Number (TRN) from the GTC.  This unique number is used to register for the Skills Tests.
2. The trainee registers the number on the TDA webpage (www.tda.gov.uk - following the links to QTS Skills Tests) and receives, via Email, a TDA username and password.  Trainees will need a valid Email address (preferably not Hotmail - we recommend the college Email) for this purpose.
3. The trainee books their tests on the internet using the TDA username and password.

Further information about the tests, examples of tests, answers to questions, registration and booking procedures, etc. can be found at the TDA Skills Tests website as shown as the top of this page. 

** You are strongly advised to revise and practise before taking your tests **

Practice tests and information about the tests are available on the TDA website, http://www.tda.gov.uk  

Please note that this information is subject to change and the latest information can be found on the TDA website, http://www.tda.gov.uk .   Trainees are urged to visit the TDA website for all up to date information.