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PGCE Primary Information

 PGCE Primary Full-time & Part-time Programmes

 Subject Knowledge Interview Tests Advice

 

Part of your interview day will include short tests of your knowledge of the core subjects of English, Mathematics, Science and ICT.  Possession of GCSE or equivalent qualifications will have helped you to gain an interview and you must therefore show that you have retained and can apply this knowledge.  This will demonstrate that you have a sufficient foundation of subject knowledge at this stage.

 

Test format

Test content

Preparation

Subject knowledge assessments

 

Students studying

 

Test format

The test will comprise of questions for each core subject, presented and answered on paper.  It will take about 20 in total.  The questions will relate to knowledge required of trainee teachers and will be set at approximately Level 6 of the National Curriculum.  This is below the level required for the national QTS assessments, so you will be expected to work quickly and to score high marks.  Spelling aids or calculators will not be allowed.  Appropriate arrangements will be made for candidates who have declared a special educational need.

 

Test content

English

  • Identifying and explaining the author’s use of certain styles or features.
  • Explaining the meaning of the whole text and individual words.
  • Identifying parts of speech and types of sentence.
  • Identifying word structures.
  • Identifying errors of spelling, grammar and punctuation.

During the interview day you must also speak and write clearly and correctly using Standard English and cursive handwriting.

Mathematics

  • The number system (integers, decimals, factors, indices).
  • Number sequences.
  • Equations.
  • Properties of shapes.
  • Measurement (common calculations and imperial/metric units).

Science

Life Systems (Biology)

  • The functioning of organisms.

Materials and their Structure (Chemistry)

  • Particles.
  • Compounds and reactions.

Physical Processes (Physics)

  • Energy, forces and motion.
  • The Earth and beyond.

ICT

  • Functions of common computer hardware.
  • Handling the Windows environment on a PC, including window and file management.
  • Standard use of a word processor (text and graphics), spreadsheet and the internet, basic functions of a database and of presentation software (e.g. PowerPoint).

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Preparation

You may wish to improve or reassure yourself in some areas of your subject knowledge and also of the levels at which questions will be pitched.  The following are suggested resources.  If you use any of them, you should check the content in relation to the interview test content outlined above.

Most major publishers produce Key Stage 3 revision guides for English, mathematics and science as books or as CD-ROMS.  On-line revision guides and sample questions include:

BBC Bite size http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/schools/revision

The Guardian  http://www.learn.co.uk/

The Times Educational Supplement will enable you to keep in touch with current educational issues http://www.tes.co.uk/

The books listed below are currently used as core texts for subject knowledge during the PGCE year.  They go well beyond the levels required at interview, but you may find them useful.  You will certainly need to study them before starting the course.

 

English

Medwell, J et al (2007), Primary English: Teaching Theory and Practice 3rd Edition, Exeter Learning Matters, ISBN: 9781844452750                                  

Medwell, J et al (2007), Primary English: Knowledge and Understanding 3rd Edition, Exeter Learning Matters, ISBN: 9781844452743                                

Mathematics

Haylock, D (2006), Mathematics Explained for Primary Teachers 3rd Edition, SAGE, ISBN: 1412911834

Science

Devereux, J (2007), Science for Primary and Early Years 2nd Edition, SAGE, ISBN: 9781412946124

ICT

Allen,J (2007), Primary ICT: Knowledge, Understanding and Practice 3rd Edition, Learning Matters, ISBN: 9781844450947           

In addition there are many short and evening courses available at further education colleges, e.g. CLAIT or European Computer Driving Licence courses.  Alternatively you may find that a friend or another member of your family can help.

 

Subject knowledge assessments during your postgraduate training

The interview tests are designed to assess your potential for passing the subject knowledge assessments that will be a part of your course.  These are:

  • Audits and tests in English, Mathematics, Science and ICT set by York St John.
  • QTS Skills Tests in Literacy, Numeracy and ICT set by the TDA for all trainee teachers.

The programme assessments are set at a higher level than the interview test.  Successful candidates will therefore be expected to undertake further study before beginning the course to ensure that you are ready to pass the programme assessments.  Further advice and information will be given during a PGCE Preparation Day prior to the programme start.

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