The qualified teacher status (QTS) skills tests cover the core skills in numeracy, literacy and information and communications technology (ICT) needed to fulfil your wider professional role in a school.
Passing the skills tests in numeracy, literacy and ICT is one of the standards that all trainee teachers in England have to meet before they can be recommended for the award of QTS by their initial teacher training (ITT) provider. Computerised QTS skills tests were introduced in 2001 for anyone seeking to qualify as a teacher. Trainees seeking to obtain QTS since 1 May 2002 need to pass all three skills tests.
The tests cover the core skills that teachers need to fulfil their wider professional role in schools, rather than the subject knowledge required for teaching. Test questions in all three skills areas are set in the context of your professional role as a teacher. All questions have been written using real data and information which teachers are likely to use. They have been extensively trialed and piloted by trainee teachers and teachers.
The tests are computerised and can be taken at any of approximately 50 test centres throughout England. You will need to obtain a pass mark of at least 60 per cent for each skills test.
Please note: the requirement to take the QTS skills tests is only applicable to candidates undertaking their initial teacher training in England. All relevant skills tests must be successfully completed before QTS can be awarded.
Intending to teach or qualified outside of England?
Candidates who train in England but who are intending to teach in other parts of the UK will still need to pass all of the skills tests. There are reciprocal arrangements in place for the recognition of teaching qualifications throughout the UK. However, candidates who trained in England but have not yet passed the tests will not be considered fully qualified in England and will therefore not be considered qualified in the rest of the UK. Candidates wishing to teach in countries outside of the UK must check with the relevant country’s education authorities regarding their requirements for the award of a teaching qualification in that country.
Teachers who qualified in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales will not need to take the QTS skills tests should they wish to teach in England. Initial teacher training in those countries does not currently include a statutory requirement to complete skills tests. Once a teacher has qualified in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales, the reciprocal arrangements in place regarding the recognition of teaching qualifications within the UK will mean that their qualifications will be recognised by the General Teaching Council for England upon application, and they will be awarded QTS. Teaching qualifications gained outside the UK do not necessarily lead to the automatic award of QTS.
Candidates who qualified outside the UK should ring the Teaching Information Line on 0845 6000 991 for further information.
