Numeracy Skills Test (QTS) – The Ultimate 2021 Success Guide

Through this success guide for QTS numeracy skills test, you will learn what to expect and how to succeed.

2 useful starting-point resources

  • The secret to passing the numeracy skill test is practice, practice and lots of practice. Unfortunately, if you are looking for shortcuts, you will not get any! Get practice QTS numeracy tests here
  • Check our numerical reasoning hub. You would find a lot of tips on how to prepare for your numeracy skills test.

Download our Ultimate Assessment Day & Interview Guide here. You will be able to find and access tips, insider secrets and tricks which will help you ace your assessment.

The Basics

Numeracy skills test is often given to aspiring teachers. This test could easily be passed with the right preparation. Are you ready? We have collated and put everything for you! Grab a drink and continue reading further!

What is the numeracy skills test?

The numeracy skills test is a test for aspiring and prospective teachers. They must pass this test in order for them to become professional teachers.

This test was created to assess a core skill that all teachers must possess and need to work with. It does not assess a specific subject knowledge but it is a test that assesses how strong your skills are with numeracy. No matter what subject you would like to teach in the future you would need to ace this skill test.

Why is the numeracy skills test so important?

As mentioned earlier, without passing this test, you will not be able to progress from being a trainee teacher. Once you have aced this one, you could then proceed to being a qualified teacher.

Where do I take the numeracy skills test?

Numeracy skills test are facilitated in one of Learn Direct’s test centres.

  • Find out your nearest centre here
  • Do you want to book your numeracy skills test? Do it here

Numeracy skills test – the specifics

For you to complete the numeracy skills test, you will have 48 minutes. It has two sections:

  • Mental Arithmetic
  • Written Arithmetic and Data

4 Steps to numerical test success – Download a copy of our popular 4-step report here

Numeracy skills test- Mental Arithmetic

The mental arithmetic portion of the test comes with 12-questions and is facilitated audio-based. You will be provided with headphones wherein you will hear the questions from.

Hence, in this section of the test, you will be assessed on your ability to carry out calculations in your mind without using any calculator. However, you may use a pen and paper.

Just like other assessment tests, the questions are timed which is why you will need to make your calculations swiftly.

You will be assessed on the following areas:

  • Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
  • Fractions, decimals and percentages
  • Time
  • Portions involving fractions, decimals and percentages
  • Measurement, money, distance, area and volume
  • Conversions

You will hear the questions twice. After the question, you will have to calculate in your head and answer within 18 seconds. Yes, the time limit is tight but remember in this test, speed is also the key and also, you are being measured against other candidates.

I am very terrified of this! How could I improve my math skills?

To improve your skills, the only way is to practice, practice more and practice some more. We recommend these practice tests for all aspiring teachers. Through these tests, you will be able to benefit in terms of:

  1. Familiarization of the test format which could increase your competence and confidence. This will help you calm down and relax and improve your performance on the day of your test.
  2. The tests mentioned above includes clear and easy to understand explanations. This could help you identify your weaknesses and improve them before your test.

Again, we highly recommend that you practice, practice, practice even for half an hour a day for two weeks prior to your numeracy skills test will provide you higher chances of acing your test.

Now, that we have covered all that, let us move on to the next section.

Numeracy skills test – Written and Data Section

With the mental arithmetic section done, it is time to ditch those headphones and go forward with the written and data section. In this section, you will have 16 questions to answer in a span of 36 minutes.

This portion of the test assesses you on the following areas:

  • Identifying patterns and trends
  • Interpreting written numerical data
  • Comparing data and drawing conclusions

In this test, you will be glad that you will be allowed to use a calculator. The questions in this test includes the following:

  • Money
  • Fractions, Decimals and Percentages
  • Time
  • Proportions and Ratio
  • Conversions
  • Measurements such as Area, Distance, etc.
  • Averages
  • Formulae
  • Range

You will be given a lot of visual information such as charts, tables and graphs. Some questions would be in multiple choice, while others are direct entry where you type your specific answer.

Get your copy of our popular 4-step report here.

How to prepare for this part of the numeracy skill test

For the standard numerical reasoning assessment, you will find a lot of useful and helpful stuff on our numerical reasoning hub.

Top Tips for Passing Your Numeracy Skills Test

  1. Practice, practice and more practice! This is the basic and fundamental part of your preparation. Through practice, you will be able to discover what your strengths and weaknesses are. You will know which areas you would need to concentrate on. The faster you could answer correctly the better. You could get a hold of some excellent QTS practice tests here.
  2. Do not waste your time examining useless data. Read the question first before you analyze the data or table or graph. This strategy will help you disregard useless data.
  3. Use our numerical reasoning hub. As mentioned earlier, we have a hub which will help you make sense of numerical reasoning. This part of our site comes with coaching videos, tips and many more. Click here to check it out.
  4. Keep an eye on the clock. Do not waste your time on unanswered questions. Learn how to manage your time by practicing and visiting our numerical reasoning hub.
  5. Invest in your future. Prepare. Do not leave your preparation time to the last minute. As we all know cramming could lead to anxiety which could lead to lack of focus. Take time to prepare.

What is the pass rate for the numeracy skills test?

The pass rate currently is at 63%. This means you will need to get at least 18 questions correct out of the 28 questions. Take note that each question is worth 1 point, no matter how many answers are needed in a question.

When do I learn my numeracy skills test score?

This test is a computer based test, this means it is also scored by a computer. As you finish the test, you will leave with your printed score. There is no issuance of certificates for this test. Hence, we suggest that you keep your record card safe.

Brush up on your times tables

Ensure that you brush up and have a great understanding on your times tables. For a refresher, check this video below.

QTS numeracy skills test video – check this video from Julie Kevill of Middlesex University.

More resources for your numeracy skills test

Get more practice tests here:

We hope that you found this guide useful and helpful! Good Luck on your test!