We’ve been asked by the Department for Education (DfE) to let you know that from 1 April 2020, the Professional Skills Test will be replaced by provider-led assurance of Fundamental English and Mathematics. The DfE will therefore close the professional skills test centres in June 2020.

Although no future candidates will need to sit these tests, some candidates who entered teacher training before 1 July 2013 still need to do so. These trainees, who are referred to as ‘deferred for skills test’, have completed their training course but need to pass a skills test to be recommended for QTS.

If you have any teachers that are ‘deferred for skills test’ trainees and would like to be recommended, please book their skills tests at your earliest convenience.

You can book skills tests and check test centre locations by visiting the DfE’s website (This link opens in a new window). Please be aware that the first three tests are free, for both subjects, but subsequent tests cost £19.25 each. There are no limits on the number of tests a candidate can sit, but there is a ‘lock-out’ period if a candidate failed the previous test.

Once test centres are closed, it will not be possible to sit the skills tests in their current format. The DfE are planning how to assess the English and Mathematics of ‘deferred for skills test’ trainees who wish to gain their QTS after the test centres are closed. Any replacement will be of an equivalent level to the current tests.

If you’d like any further information, please contact the DfE via email (This link opens in a new window).