Primary PGCE: Selection at Interview

Interviews are normally held between November and March.

The selection procedure will normally include some or all of the following elements:

• a group task - you will be asked to plan a lesson.
• an individual interview - you will be asked questions in relation to the selection criteria.
• a written task - you will answer a question about an educational issue.
• a written test - you will be tested on your knowledge of English, mathematics, science and ICT in relation to the requirements for trainee teachers (more details below)

The interview panel will consider concise additional information if candidates choose to offer any and it may also seek clarification or evidence of information presented in the application form.

Candidates should satisfy the panel in respect of their:

• Commitment to, experience and understanding of primary education
• Personal, intellectual and presentational qualities
• Competences in English, mathematics, science, and ICT including the abilities to read and to communicate clearly and grammatically in spoken and written standard English
• Suitability for employment

Successful candidates are normally required to attend a pre-course day before the programme begins. You must meet statutory requirements for physical and mental fitness to teach and must not previously have been excluded from teaching or working with young children nor have a criminal background that might prevent employment as a teacher.

The Subject Knowledge Interview Test

Your interview will include a short test 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; now you must show that you have retained and can apply your knowledge. This will indicate that you have a sufficient foundation to be likely to teach effectively throughout the primary age range and to pass your training course.

Test Format

The test takes about 45 minutes and contains 20 multiple-choice questions for each subject. All the questions, including the ICT section, will be presented and answered on paper. They will relate to the knowledge required of trainee teachers and will be set at approximately Level 6 of the National Curriculum. This is below the levels required for in-course and national assessments, so you will be expected to work quickly and to score high marks. No spelling aids or calculators will normally be allowed; appropriate arrangements will be made for candidates who have declared a special educational need.

Test Content

Questions will sample your knowledge of the listed topics:

1. English

You will be given a short text and asked about the author's use of written English, including:·

• 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 rest of your interview you must also speak and write clearly and correctly, using Standard English and cursive handwriting.

2. Mathematics

• the number system (integers, fractions, decimals, indices)
• mental calculations with the above· multiples, factors and ratios
• number sequences
• linear equations and inequalities
• interpreting graphs and co-ordinates
• properties of shapes
• measurement (common calculations and imperial/metric units)
• interpreting statistical data
• calculating probabilities

3. Science

• how to carry out investigations and interpret results
• Life Systems (biology) – the functioning of organisms; continuity and change; ecosystems
• Materials and their Structure (chemistry) – particles; compounds and reactions; changes of state
• Physical Processes (physics) – electricity and magnetism; energy, forces and motion; light and sound; the Earth and beyond

4. ICT

Questions will be set and answered on paper. They will include screenshots from common applications but will not expect you to be familiar with any particular software: most applications have similar functions. Questions may include:

• 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)

You will find guidance on preparation for the test in the Preparation for an Interview section, below.

Subject Knowledge Assessments during your Training

The interview tests are designed to assess your potential for passing the subject knowledge assessments that will be a part of your course. The in-course assessments will be 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 in-course assessments. We will give you feedback on your interview test performance and study advice.