I am really struggling to pass this numeracy test and time is running out at the end of this month.Is there anyone else facing this situation who could offer some advice/help as I am feeling desperate and helpless.I keep failing so I must be making the same mistakes each time.Help!!!!!

Are there any numeracy courses anywhere?

I don't know where you are doing courses but my centre can offer free training and testing on demand for numeracy & literacy to level 2 plus £25 Boots voucher when you pass your first level.

Best Training www.sheffieldtraining.co.uk

Of course if you're trying to pass at our centre already and struggling, then come in and see me. Ian

I'm rather glad my kids have nearly finished their schooling if newly qualified teachers are "struggling" to pass a basic numeracy test!

I'm rather glad my kids have nearly finished their schooling if newly qualified teachers are "struggling" to pass a basic numeracy test!

That was a very unkind thing to say.

I'm rather glad my kids have nearly finished their schooling if newly qualified teachers are "struggling" to pass a basic numeracy test!


yes but it may not be their subject!! I have a friend who is fab at English but maths he has no idea and he has a degree in history , so never judge a book by its cover. I don't think its very kind as the person asked for help not condemnation because of a subject they arn't as good in as others.

That was a very unkind thing to say.
second that

That was a very unkind thing to say.

I'd say it was a harsh thing to say, but it has an element of truth to it. After all, we have to rely on our teachers to impart knowledge to the next generation. These tests are only supposed to see that the people taking them have a basic understanding of maths, etc.. and really if someone is consistently failing them then it might be time for some hard decisions to be taken about whether the tough, competative world of teaching is the best place to be heading.

I am really struggling to pass this numeracy test and time is running out at the end of this month.Is there anyone else facing this situation who could offer some advice/help as I am feeling desperate and helpless.I keep failing so I must be making the same mistakes each time.Help!!!!!

The tests are free to sit and if I remember there is a disc you can get with pretend questions, ask your tutors. It might be worth booking yourself in to sit the test just to write the questions out you then can take them home and practise them alongside the other material. I know you will have different numbers next time but if you learn the process behind the calculation you will be better prepared.

If you’re not too quick at working things out make sure you use the paper supplied and jot the question down and work it out on paper. The mental maths section is just practise; get someone to test you ever day, three times a day- Just like the brain training stuff you will improve pretty quickly!

have you been doing the practice tests online at Uni .. i found doing at least one a day helped! i know the numeracy one is quite tricky with it being all timed ... but hang in there!! good luck!! :)

I'm rather glad my kids have nearly finished their schooling if newly qualified teachers are "struggling" to pass a basic numeracy test!



Sadly. I too would agree with this.

Infortunatly, my own children are in the schooling system, and if a teacher unable to do numeracy level 2, they simply should not be in teaching.

Sadly. I too would agree with this.

Infortunatly, my own children are in the schooling system, and if a teacher unable to do numeracy level 2, they simply should not be in teaching.

This is just an example I look after a family of children one child has a problem with Maths but is totally brilliant at English and other subjects.
So people are like this its not everything I have no problem with someone who cannot do numeracy at level 2 but may they can do english/history at a higher level.
Does an english teacher need a numeracy level 2 ?

There are a lot of reasons why a teacher needs to be functionally numerate. The Test the OP is referring to is a test of functional numeracy, not maths at any serious level. It's at a level such that anyone with normal intelligence who knows the basic rules of maths can pass.

I feel sorry for those who struggle with one subject, but the fact is that teachers need, in addition to their own specialised knowledge, a basic level of numeracy. If they don't have that, they really should not be teaching.

There are a lot of reasons why a teacher needs to be functionally numerate. The Test the OP is referring to is a test of functional numeracy, not maths at any serious level. It's at a level such that anyone with normal intelligence who knows the basic rules of maths can pass.

I feel sorry for those who struggle with one subject, but the fact is that teachers need, in addition to their own specialised knowledge, a basic level of numeracy. If they don't have that, they really should not be teaching.

I would have no problem with some one like this teaching, as long as they were good at their subject as most teachers specialise these days .
The examples i gave were exactly that maths and English

Well, if you're happy with your kids being taught by a teacher who can't:
- work out exam/test results
- figure out how many children ought to be on the bus on a school trip
- provide enough resources for lessons because they don't know how much to get
- answer children's questions if they require any calculation

...then fine - you obviously are happy with that standard for your kids. I wouldn't want my children to be at the tender mercies of someone who can barely count.

Well, if you're happy with your kids being taught by a teacher who can't:
- work out exam/test results

I not bothered about exam results as they are for the school , all i am bothered about is the emotional well being of the child and their own personal development of interests.


- figure out how many children ought to be on the bus on a school trip

Thats weak we can all count pupils on and off a bus ! hence not relevant to this at all and is unhelpful to the person who posted asking for help not condemnation



- provide enough resources for lessons because they don't know how much
- answer children's questions if they require any calculation

again if you have 32 children in a class and it one piece of work between 2 is simple enough.

...then fine - you obviously are happy with that standard for your kids. I wouldn't want my children to be at the tender mercies of someone who can barely count.

I don't think this person can barely count if she has done her teaching studies and possibly has a degree. she just has a weak area thats all.
I would rather my child be taught by some one who doesn't treat my child as a number but rather as a person not a number

There are a lot of reasons why a teacher needs to be functionally numerate. The Test the OP is referring to is a test of functional numeracy, not maths at any serious level. It's at a level such that anyone with normal intelligence who knows the basic rules of maths can pass.

I feel sorry for those who struggle with one subject, but the fact is that teachers need, in addition to their own specialised knowledge, a basic level of numeracy. If they don't have that, they really should not be teaching.

This is true - and having done the test I can vouch for it being trivially easy.

I would recommend talking to your mentor about it - is it all the questions you have a problem with, or just particular types of question?