Handy Tips for Passing the numeracy and literacy skills test from successful candidates!
Before revising for the test, visit the Department for Education website on and read all the information about both tests. This website is very useful as it provides all the information you need and provides practice skills tests. When accessing the practice tests for the first time you need to click on the ‘initial registration link’ this will provide you with a login and password, allowing you to then login anytime (keep these details safe!).
Numeracy:
Before revising, practice one of the numeracy skills test to see which areas you need to work on.
Useful resources/tips:
- Practice skills test on Department for Education website
- Passing the Numeracy Skills Test book by Mark Patmore
- Timed practice tests
- YouTube videos - the following are especially useful as they go through the practice test found on the Department for Education website
- Videos by GA Numerical (once you go on one video, there is usually a link to the rest of the videos).
- is another you tube channel which come highly recommended!
- Also search for videos more specific to your needs (e.g. percentages, mean, median etc.)
- Certain aspects of maths need to be memorised (percentages, decimals, fractions etc.) so a useful tip is to write them up and have them up somewhere you can visually access all the time.
- After you are a bit more confident get someone to time you when working out the mental Maths questions ensuring you move on when time is up!
- Revise from KS2 Maths CGP books; going back to basics always helps so this book is highly recommended to refresh your memory.
- Spend a minimum of an hour a day in the lead up to taking your test to revise.
- Book your test in advance, ensuring you have enough time to revise.
Literacy:
Again, before revising, practise one of the literacy skills tests to see which areas you need to work on.
Useful resources/tips:
- Practice skills test on Department for Education website
- Passing the Literacy Skills Test (Achieving QTS Series) book by Jim Johnson (Author), Bruce Bond (Author)
- Timed practice tests
- Search YouTube for videos more specific to your needs surrounding literacy.
- Certain aspects of literacy needs to be memorised (spelling words, punctuation etc.), so a useful tip is to write them up and have them up somewhere you can visually access all the time.
- Revise from KS1 and KS2 English CGP books; again going back to basics always helps, so these books are highly recommended for you to refresh your memory.
- Spend a minimum of an hour a day in the lead up to taking your test to revise.
- Book your test in advance ensuring you have enough time to revise.
Depending on your own skills, knowledge and preference you may need to revise for one subject more than another. A good indication of what you are good at and what needs more work is by conducting the practice skills test on the Department for Education website.
Do not take the test if you are not ready, therefore make sure you book in advance to give yourself enough time to revise!
All the best!