QTS Skills Tests

The professional skills tests, also known as the QTS Skills Tests, are computer-based tests in literacy and numeracy (and until 2012 also in ICT) which must be passed by anyone attempting to gain qualified teacher status (QTS) in England. The tests must be passed before enrolling onto an initial teacher training course, such as the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), or the Bachelor of Education (BEd).

The goal of the tests is to "assess the core skills that teachers need to fulfil their professional role in schools, rather than the subject knowledge needed for teaching," and "to ensure all teachers are competent in numeracy and literacy, regardless of their specialism."

Information about the tests

Official information about the tests is provided by the Department for Education: Professional skills tests.

The literacy test focuses on spelling, punctuation, grammar and comprehension. The test questions are randomly selected from a bank of standarised questions. The overall difficulty of the test varies, and the passmark is adjusted accordingly.