About

Test Structure

The test is computer-based and consists of two components: literacy and numeracy.

The test consists of 130 test questions in total, 65 literacy questions and 65 numeracy questions. In the numeracy test, there are 52 questions for which an online calculator is available (section 1), and 13 questions for which the online calculator is not available (section 2).

All the questions are in either selected responses (for example, multiple-choice) or short answer formats. No extended writing is required.  If you think you know the answer to a question, answer it, even if you are not certain. Marks are not deducted for incorrect responses. Make a note of the question number and return to it later if you have time.

Test Standard

The test standard is literacy and numeracy achievement equivalent to the top 30 per cent of the Australian adult population.  In 2017 this standard was empirically validated with reference to the OECD Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). The test has been developed with reference to the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF), the key measure for the Australian Government’s Skills for Education and Employment Programme.

The test has been created, in consultation with teacher educators from the higher education sector, to represent literacy and numeracy tasks and contexts that can reasonably be expected to be within the professional experience of teachers.

Test timing

The duration of each test component is 2 hours (including a short tutorial at the beginning of each test component). It is recommended that you work steadily through the test. It is not advisable that you spend too much time on any one question.

For literacy, the test has one section (65 questions). The available time is 120 minutes.

For numeracy only, the test has two sections. It is important not to rush section 1 because you will not be able to return to section 1 once you commence section 2. The total available time is 120 minutes. The recommended time for section 1 (52 questions) is 90-95 minutes. The recommended time for section 2 (13 questions) is 25-30 minutes.

Test centres

If you are sitting the test at a test centre, you should allow at least 2 ½ hours for each test component from the time of registration listed on your test Admission Ticket for all testing procedures to be completed.  

Care should be taken when making return travel arrangements including parking to allow adequate time at the test centre.  Please follow the instructions of staff and test supervisors at the test centre at all times. Failure to do so will be considered as misconduct.  

You can leave the test room once you have finished your test, except within the last 10 minutes of the test session. This is to avoid disrupting other test candidates.

Remote proctoring

If you are sitting the test by remote proctoring, you should allow at least 2 ½ hours to 3 hours for each test component from the time of connecting to the online proctor (at your scheduled session time) for all testing procedures to be completed. The test will be timed on-screen, and your online proctor will shut down your test at the completion of the session. The test will automatically time out at the end of the allotted 120 minutes.

You can finish your test earlier than the scheduled finish time. You will need to let your online proctor know that you have finished, and the proctor will complete your session and ensure that your test is submitted successfully.