QTS Skills Tests - Rest of The United Kingdom

Rest of The United Kingdom

The QTS Skills Tests are only compulsory in England. Teachers training in Wales do not have to pass the tests, even though the rest of the requirements for Qualified Teacher Status are identical. Teachers in Scotland and Northern Ireland also do not have to pass the tests, though the requirements to become a qualified teacher are different to England and Wales.

Teachers wishing to teach in a different Home Nation to the one they trained in must apply to the relevant General Teaching Council to be allowed to teach there. With the exception of teachers trained on the GTP, this is normally a formality for teachers who have successfully completed their training. This has led to inconsistencies with regards to the QTS Skills Tests across the UK: as passing the QTS Skills Tests is a requirement of QTS in England, teachers who train in England who then go on to teach elsewhere in the UK must still pass the tests despite them not being a requirement in their destination nation; however, as England normally automatically recognises the equivalent of QTS from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, teachers who train in these nations do not have to pass the QTS Skills Tests to teach in England, even though English-trained teachers must pass them.

As from September 2012, candidates will be permitted 2 resits. The ICT test is no longer a requirement. Those who will begin ITT from September 2013 will have to pass the tests prior to enrolment on their ITT course.

• resources to help you pass the qts numeracy skills test
• the TDA website for the tests complete with practice materials, booking information and FAQ page