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Professional Skills Test - English (Literacy)
✓Curriculum Reviewed & CPD-Accredited by Expert Faculty
⏱Self-paced learning
|📚6 modules · 13 lectures
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Course Overview
The Professional Skills Assessment – English (Literacy) is an entry assessment designed to check that learners have the level of English needed to undertake their training programme.
The assessment focuses on practical literacy skills, including reading, comprehension, spelling, grammar, punctuation and the use of written English.
What You'll Learn
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The purpose of this assessment is to identify whether you have the literacy skills needed to complete your programme, including understanding course materials, following written instructions and completing written assignments. Your results may also be used to identify areas where you would benefit from additional support.
Who Is This Course For?
This assessment is for learners applying to enrol on an Early Years, Nursery or Teaching qualification or training programme where written assignments and assessments form part of the course.
6 modules | 13 lectures
Course Content
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Professional Skills Test?
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The Professional Skills Test is an initial assessment of the literacy or numeracy skills needed to undertake a programme of study. It helps the centre determine whether a candidate is ready to begin the programme and whether any additional support may be needed.
What does the Literacy test assess?
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The Literacy test assesses skills such as reading comprehension, identifying key information, understanding vocabulary in context, interpreting written information, spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Do I need to revise before taking the test?
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The test is intended to establish your current level, so extensive preparation is not required. Candidates may find it useful to refresh basic English or mathematics skills before attempting the assessment.
How should the test be completed?
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Candidates should work through the questions in order, read each question carefully and answer every question where possible. Candidates should check their answers before submitting the test.
Can I use a dictionary, calculator or other resources?
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Only resources specifically permitted in the test instructions may be used. The centre should explain any permitted resources before the assessment begins.
Can I use Google, AI or ask another person for help?
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No. The assessment must represent the candidate's own ability. Unless specifically stated otherwise, candidates should not use search engines, AI tools, translation tools or assistance from another person.
Does the test have to be supervised?
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The centre decides the appropriate level of supervision based on how the result will be used. Where the test forms part of a formal entry decision, the centre should take reasonable steps to confirm the identity of the candidate and that the assessment was completed independently.
What should the centre do before administering the test?
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The centre should confirm the candidate's identity, explain the purpose of the assessment, provide the test instructions, confirm the time allowed and permitted resources, and ensure the candidate understands how to submit their answers.
What happens if there is a technical problem during the test?
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Candidates should inform the centre as soon as possible. The centre should record the issue and determine whether the assessment can be resumed or whether a new attempt is required. A candidate should not be disadvantaged by a verified technical failure.
How is the test marked?
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Answers are assessed against the marking criteria for the test. Some questions may be marked automatically, while written responses may require review by the centre.
What happens after I complete the test?
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The centre will review the result as part of its entry and initial-assessment process. The result may show that the candidate is ready to begin the programme or identify areas where additional support would be beneficial.
What happens if I do not achieve the required standard?
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A lower result does not necessarily mean that a candidate cannot undertake the programme. The centre should consider the result alongside its entry requirements and may recommend further learning, additional support or reassessment.
Can the test be taken again?
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Where appropriate, the centre may permit another attempt. Centres should have a consistent reassessment policy and should normally allow time for further learning or support before a candidate retakes the test.
Can reasonable adjustments be made?
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Yes. Centres should consider reasonable adjustments for candidates who require them, provided that the adjustment does not change what the assessment is intended to measure. Adjustments should be agreed before the test wherever possible.
Should centres keep a record of the assessment?
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Yes. Where the assessment is being used to support admission onto a programme, the centre should retain an appropriate record of the candidate's attempt, result, date of assessment and any adjustments or relevant assessment notes in line with its data-retention procedures
Is this the former government QTS Professional Skills Test?
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No. This is an independent Professional Skills assessment used for initial assessment and programme entry. It should not be represented as the former statutory QTS Professional Skills Test.
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