Practice Test 1
Mental Arithmetic Introduction
Please read these instructions carefully before you start the test.
For the actual test you will be provided with a white board which you can use to record any working out. For this test use scrap paper or a notebook. Remember – you cannot use a calculator for this test.
The test is designed to help you practise answering questions and become familiar with the navigational features used in the actual test.
Please note in the actual test you will be given 18 seconds per question and then the question will move on automatically. In order to become familiar with the type of questions we advise taking 27 seconds per question on test one, 23 seconds per question on test 2 and 18 seconds per question on test 3.
Your results will be displayed throughout the test. Feedback at the end of the quiz will highlight if you have made an error. It also guides you to the section of the book Passing the QTS Skills Tests with Confidence which you can refer to, to become confident in all areas of mathematics.
Please include your answer as a number only. In the real test the unit of measurement will be provided for you.
Practice Written Tests
Introductory screen for both tests
For the actual test you will be provided with a whiteboard which you can use to record any working out. For these practice tests use some scrap paper or a notebook. For the actual tests there will be an on screen calculator. For these practice tests you should use your own calculator.
These tests contain the written data and written arithmetic questions. The practice test is designed to help you practise answering questions and become familiar with the navigational features used in the test. They are similar, but not identical, in structure to questions in the actual test. The form in which you answer these tests is slightly different. Make sure you familiarise yourself with the navigational features used in the actual tests by using the practice tests on the DfE website.
All the questions require you to type in the answer although sometimes you are selecting from a series of answers that are given and sometimes you are asked to simply enter True or False.
There is no time limit on this test as it is designed to help you audit your own knowledge. Keep your eye on the time however. You should aim to spend about 2 minutes per question in the actual test.
The spelling test
The spelling test is an audio test heard through headphones. The words used in the tests are not obscure or especially technical but are words which are likely to be used in your role as a teacher. In the actual test you will not be penalised if you adopt American English when asked to spell a word that has an -ise or -ize suffix; in this test you are required to use standard British English.