Clearly we’d like you all to pass the Skills Tests as soon as possible, so we’d rather you were properly prepared to take and pass them , hopefully first time, so please read this carefully:
Firstly it’s important that you take the right documents when attending the Skills Test centers. Anyone that doesn’t follow the process (below) might be turned away, and may lose their first free attempt at taking the Skills Tests.
Booking the skills tests:
You can book your Skills Tests once you have submitted your application through UCAS Teacher Training. You can book in advance of this, as long as your application is submitted before you attend the test centre.
What you need to bring:
- Two forms of identification – a primary ID such as a passport, and a secondary ID (e.g. a debit card). More information can be found on the STA Website
- You also need to bring proof of your teacher training application – e.g.:
- a welcome email from UCAS Teacher Training;
- correspondence from your school or university provider;
- a copy of your completed UCAS Teacher Training application form;
- confirmation of, or an invitation to, an interview from your school or university.
For more information please visit: www.sta.education.gov.uk
So, once you know what you’re taking with you, please consider that:
In our experience, many applicants take the first one without any real preparation thinking “how hard can it be?” and are then surprised by the test and fail it. Then they do some practice tests, but think we need them to pass the tests ASAP, so re-book without really taking the time they need to be ready to pass and so fail again, perhaps just by an odd mark.
Then ‘fear of failure’ kicks in and the final test becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy and they fail. Not though lack of ability or knowledge, but purely because they panic.
So, be one of those who doesn’t take it lightly, be very well prepared for your first attempts and you’ll more than likely pass them both first time. But if not, make sure that you are totally ready for the 2nd attempt and then you’ll not be putting yourself under the pressure of having to take it for a 3rd time.
Almost everyone passes by the 3rd attempt, very few fail and most pass 1st or 2nd time.
Take and pass the ‘easier’ of the two first. If Maths is your ‘thing’ do that one and then take the literacy later on. If English is your strength, do that one first then take the numeracy later.
Don’t book to take them both on the same day just to save travel time and costs – it could put you under too much pressure and end up costing you far more in the long run!
For applicants offered places with us, we’ll be running some support events in the Spring Term, so there’s no mad rush having to take them just yet.
And . . . you might want to go to one or more the following – other websites & services can be found from a simple Google search (other search engines are also available!), but these have been recommended by some of our former trainees:
Numeracy Ready & How to pass the Numeracy test (Quote ‘NST20’ for a Discount)
How to pass the Literacy test
Literacy Skills Test (spellings)
Creative Openings (Numeracy & Literacy support)
Good luck with your Skills Tests!
Search for us on:
