Queensland College of Teachers

Pre-Registration Test for Aspiring Primary Teachers

UPDATE: April/May 2011

Field trialling completed:                                            

Field trialling has now been completed and QCT wishes to sincerely thank the many preservice teachers who volunteered to participate in the trialling and subsequently completed the trial-testing instrument and feedback survey.

Current work:                                                             

Work is progressing around the following areas:

• analysing all data from the field trialling
• developing and quality assuring additional test items through the Item Review and Advisory Panel (IRAP)
• updating the dedicated test website in preparation for full implementation of the test
• providing regular pre-registration test information updates via this page
• scheduling visits to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to brief preservice teachers

Who will need to sit the pre-registration test:           

Applicants for teacher registration in Queensland* whose qualification enables capacity to teach within the P-7 range in primary schools are determined as ‘aspiring primary teachers’ and will need to demonstrate satisfactory levels of achievement on the pre-registration test.
Relevant qualifications include those in the following areas:

• early childhood
• primary
• middle years
• special education
• specialist teacher focused on the p–7 range

*Applicants applying for teacher registration through mutual recognition are excepted (see teacher registration information on the QCT website).
The test will be implemented in the second half of 2011.

The pre-registration test:                                           

The pre-registration test represents an independent and supplementary assessment focussed on the priority areas of literacy, numeracy and science.

• The test is comprised of three separate test instruments, one for each of the priority areas of literacy, numeracy (each 90 minute tests) and science (a 60 minute test).
• The test instrument is computer based with items in a range of formats that can be marked electronically.
• Testing will be conducted in designated test centres to ensure appropriate levels of test security and administration.

Test constructs:                                                         

Pre-registration test items have been developed around three constructs which provide a representation of what teachers need to know in order to effectively teach the curriculum for literacy, numeracy and science.

• Required knowledge and understanding of the content and processes…
  This construct acknowledges the need for teachers to possess content knowledge at a considerably greater depth than the level being taught. The convergence of opinion in the research literature points to a consideration of what students need to learn as the starting point for defining teacher development needs. For this reason, the definition of test content developed here is explicitly anchored to the relevant state (and national) curriculum frameworks, advisory and reference documents. It is important to note that this definition is not redefining curriculum for students; rather, it is a representation of what teachers need to know in order to effectively teach the curriculum for literacy, numeracy and science.
• Knowledge about teaching…
  The sound level of content knowledge prefaced above needs then to be supported by at least threshold levels of pedagogical content knowledge which enable the emerging professional to know and understand how students’ understandings in a subject typically develop, how to engage students and sequence subject matter, the kinds of misconceptions that students commonly develop, and effective ways to teach a subject. For the purposes of this definition, pedagogical content knowledge for each area is detailed using the following foci:
• knowledge of curriculum frameworks
• teaching of literacy/numeracy/science
• diagnosis, monitoring and assessment
• Personal literacy and numeracy skills…
  The test will also require demonstration of core personal literacy and numeracy skills. These skills are a focus within the professional standards for teachers and their inclusion reflects the underpinning nature of literacy and numeracy across all curriculum areas including science. Their inclusion also recognises, differentiates and underlines the standing of science as a key curriculum area.

Test content and quality assurance:                           

The test content parameters were defined through a process of thorough and explicit drilling down to the core knowledge required for teachers to successfully design and manage learning experiences in each of the key areas. These test parameters for each priority area were developed by small working groups of expert teacher educators, practising teachers, school principals and teacher employer representatives. The parameters are firmly anchored in Queensland curriculum frameworks which are also used to underpin current university programs. The resulting document which defines the content parameters for the test is made available on the link below. This document was made available to HEIs in May 2010.

• Defining content parameters — advice for test developers

An ongoing quality assurance process has been undertaken throughout all phases of the pre-registration test development process. An Item Review and Advisory Panel (IRAP) comprised of expert teacher educators, teachers, principals, employers and QSA officers was established to review and provide advice on all test materials and related assessment issues.

Resources for test candidates:                                   

• The content parameters document referenced above has been reproduced as three separate guidelines documents to support potential candidates in understanding test requirements.

The following links will take you to these separate documents:

• Guidelines to Core Knowledge — Literacy
• Guidelines to Core Knowledge — Numeracy
• Guidelines to Core Knowledge — Science

• Sample test items to familiarise candidates with the types of items in the pre-registration test and the computer delivery format will be made available on the dedicated test site www.qct-teachertest.com.au as it is updated.

 

Satisfactory test completion:                                     

Candidates are required to demonstrate a satisfactory result for each of the three test instruments (literacy, numeracy and science) including each construct within the instruments. Candidates will be able to re-take a test instrument if they do not achieve a satisfactory result.

 

Contacts for pre-registration test information:

The QCT-QEPR Project Team
1300 991 624 (cost of a local call when telephoning from a landline)
OR (07) 3405 3446

QCT – QEPR Project Team
Email:

Ms Ros Bell
Director - QCT QEPR Project
Ph (07) 3237 0922