Are you a prospective teacher in the UK? If so, then you need to familiarize yourself with the Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) literacy test. This test assesses a person’s ability to fully understand and interpret written data or information. It is mandatory for anyone who wants to train or work as a teacher in the UK. It may also be a component of recruitment for various organizations like NHS.
A QTS literacy skills test has four main sections; Spelling (10marks), Punctuation (15 marks), Grammar (10-12 marks), and Comprehension (10-12 marks). If you are an aspiring teacher, then you need to read on and see how you can accordingly prepare yourself for this test.
Book Your QTS Literacy Test Early Enough
You do not want to make your booking at the very last minute. This will only add to your anxiety. Book early to start during your preferred time and to also help you make a choice of a suitable test center.
You will need to take care of everything that needs to be done online like registering early enough to proceed to book the test from your created account. An early registration can allow you to make necessary adjustments conveniently. The moment you book your test and confirm a date, you will effectively work to prepare for the test. You will have a more relaxed mind, and you will organize yourself properly.
Be an Active Reader
This is one of the ways through which you can improve your spelling accuracy and extend your vocabulary knowledge. Active reading requires an individual to fully concentrate at the beginning. The skill however gets easier as you progress and to ultimately improve your vocabulary.
The more you read, the more you are likely to improve your literacy skills. Purpose to read every day and as you read, scrutinize every word rather than just skimming. Have your focus directed to high-quality non-fiction reading for example news or journal articles. As you read, ensure that you understand and take in the text.
Brushing Up Your Grammar and Punctuation
If literacy is not among your strengths, try to polish your grammar and punctuation. Learn how to recognize poor grammar and also how to spot inaccurately punctuated texts. You can make use of the Oxford Dictionary Lexico website to help yourself out.
There, you can find the most commonly misspelled words and you can also familiarize yourself with punctuation marks. Remember, the punctuation section accounts for the most marks. You will also find a list of grammatical terms. Watch videos and read resource pages to perfect these skills. Take your time as you do this and do not be in a rush.
Improving Your Comprehension Skills
The comprehension section of a QTS literacy skills test assesses one’s ability to analyze particular extracts sourced from written documents. You, therefore, need to be able to take note of the most important points and discern the differences between opinions and facts. To get better at this section, you need to practice.
Analyze verbal reasoning guides, take tests, and compare your answers with the provided explanations. You will see where you go wrong and ultimately, you will better your chances of success. You can visit The Assessment Center HQ for more helpful guides.
Take Practice Exercises
Like the saying goes, practice makes perfect. Continuous practice will help you better your literacy skills especially if you are not very good at the same. You can get literary skills practice tests from the Department of Education for your practice. In most cases, these appear similar to the ones taken on an actual QTS test.
Practice exercises will help you familiarize yourself with the actual formats and question navigation. To recreate an exam setup, carry out the exercises in an environment free from interruptions. Time yourself as you practice and keep practicing until you can comfortably complete a test within the given time limit since QTS tests are timed.
Final Thoughts
A QTS literacy skills test is a professional test that will assess a prospective teacher for their reading, writing, and communication skills. These are core skills that are essential for one to be able to teach effectively and fulfill their professional capacity. As you prepare for the test, use the tips offered above to ace your test.