TKT (Teaching Knowledge Test)

Overview

TKT is divided into separate modules. You can take them all, or just choose the ones that meet your needs. You have total flexibility in how and when you take the modules and receive a certificate for each one completed.

Core modules

• Module 1 – Background to language teaching
• Module 2 – Planning for language teaching
• Module 3 – Classroom management
• Practical – Assessment of teaching competence

Specialist modules

• TKT: Content and Language Integrated Learning – A test of the understanding of this exciting approach to teaching curriculum subjects through the medium of a second or third language.
• TKT: Knowledge About Language – A test of knowledge and understanding of the systems of language from a teaching perspective.
• TKT: Young Learners – A test of the background knowledge related to teaching young learners in the 6–12 age range.

 

Flexible assessment for language teachers

Teaching English is an enjoyable and rewarding profession that can create opportunities for a lifelong career that you can pursue in many countries.

Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT) has been developed for people who:

• are already teaching, but would like to take an internationally recognised qualification to gain formal recognition for their experience
• want to enhance their career opportunities by broadening their teaching experience into specialist areas
• want to keep their teaching skills up to date.

Preparing for TKT will help you grow in confidence as a teacher and give you the knowledge and skills that will help you develop your career. You can take TKT whatever your background and teaching experience. The qualification is designed to be accessible, with no formal English language requirements for candidates.

A flexible path to a teaching qualification

TKT is modular and flexible, allowing you to fit your studies around your work and other commitments – you can take the modules over a period of time that suits your needs.

As well as covering all the basics of good teaching practice, preparation for TKT can be adapted for local needs. TKT centres can set their own preparation syllabus to meet the requirements of the local teaching environment.

A step towards other qualifications

After taking TKT, teachers who want to develop their knowledge further can progress to other well-established Cambridge ESOL qualifications, such as CELTA and Delta modules.

A Cambridge qualification

Because it is awarded by Cambridge ESOL, part of the University of Cambridge, TKT is internationally recognised, highly respected and a benchmark for quality.

How to register

You can register for TKT up to six weeks before the exam session, or as little as one week before a computer-based test.

Preparation courses leading to TKT are designed by individual centres, based on the exam specifications produced by Cambridge ESOL. TKT is offered around the world through the Cambridge ESOL network of authorised centres.

Find your nearest centre.

Core modules

• TKT: Module 1

  Available as a paper-based test
  Available as a computer-based test

  Download sample paper

  Background to language teaching

  What does TKT: Module 1 test?

  This module tests your knowledge of the terms and concepts common in English language teaching. It also focuses on the core knowledge underpinning the learning of English and knowledge of the options and resources you can use in the classroom. 

  The test

  TKT: Module 1 consists of a single paper lasting 80 minutes and containing 80 questions. The test is divided into three parts:

  1. describing language and language skills (40 questions)
  2. background to language learning (15 questions)
  3. background to language teaching (25 questions)
• TKT: Module 2

  Available as a paper-based test
  Available as a computer-based test

  Download sample paper

  Planning for language teaching

  What does TKT: Module 2 test?

  This module focuses on the knowledge and skills you need to be able to plan a lesson framework or series of lessons. 

  Teaching in this context also refers to any assessment required by you to consolidate learning. It also focuses on the resources that are available to guide you in your lesson planning.

  The test

  TKT: Module 2 consists of a single paper lasting 80 minutes and containing 80 questions. The test is divided into two parts:

  1. planning and preparing a lesson or sequence of lessons (40 questions))
  2. selection and use of resources (40 questions).
• TKT: Module 3

  Available as a paper-based test
  Available as a computer-based test

  Download sample paper

  Classroom management

  What does TKT: Module 3 test?

  This module tests your knowledge of what happens in the classroom during language learning, the teacher’s role and the ways in which you can manage and exploit classroom events and interactions.

  The test

  TKT: Module 3 consists of a single paper lasting 80 minutes and containing 80 questions. The test is divided into two parts:

  1. teachers’ and learners’ language in the classroom (40 questions)
  2. classroom management (40 questions).
• TKT: Practical

  Download sample paper

  Assessment of teaching competence

  TKT: Practical is an accessible and affordable way for you to get certification of your teaching abilities. It is ideal if you have developed your skills and need formal confirmation of your practical teaching competence.

  You may wish to take TKT: Practical as part of a professional development course, but this is not a requirement.

  What does TKT: Practical test?

  TKT: Practical includes assessment of:

  1. lesson planning
  2. classroom management
  3. teaching skills

  The test

  The test consists of the observation of your teaching by a Cambridge ESOL assessor. The assessor can observe either one 40-minute lesson or two 20-minute lessons, of which one can be peer-to-peer teaching. The test can take place as part of a teacher training or teacher development course. Alternatively, if you are already teaching, the test can take place with your own class by arrangement with a TKT centre.

  You will also be required to complete a lesson plan for assessment. The template will be provided by Cambridge ESOL.

Specialist modules

• TKT: Knowledge About Language

  Download sample paper

  What is TKT: Knowledge About Language?

  TKT: Knowledge About Language tests your knowledge of the English language. 

  What does TKT: Knowledge About Language test?

  TKT: Knowledge About Language tests knowledge of the language systems needed by teachers. It also focuses on your awareness of the language needs of learners and the challenges students encounter in learning a second language.

  The test

  TKT: Knowledge About Language consists of a single paper lasting 80 minutes and containing 80 questions. The test is divided into four parts, testing knowledge of English from a teaching perspective in the areas of: lexis, phonology, grammar and discourse.

• TKT: Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL)

  Download sample paper

  What is TKT: CLIL?

  TKT: CLIL describes an evolving approach to teaching and learning where subjects are taught and studied through the medium of a language which is not the learner’s first language. 

  What does TKT: CLIL test?

  TKT: CLIL tests knowledge about content teaching in a target language and the learning, thinking and language skills which are developed across different curriculum subjects. It tests knowledge of how to plan lessons as well as the understanding of activities and resources needed to support a CLIL approach. It also tests knowledge of lesson delivery and how assessment is carried out in CLIL contexts.

  The test

  TKT: CLIL consists of a single paper lasting 80 minutes and containing 80 questions. The test is divided into four parts: knowledge of the principles of CLIL, lesson preparation in a CLIL context, lesson delivery and assessment.

• TKT: Young Learners

  Download sample paper

  What is TKT: Young Learners?

  TKT: Young Learners is a test of the knowledge of the strategies and skills required to teach young learners. 

  TKT: Young Learners is ideal if you are an international teacher working, or intending to work, in the primary sector of education.

  What does TKT: Young Learners test?

  TKT: Young Learners tests the background knowledge related to teaching young learners in the 6–12 age range. It also tests understanding of planning lessons, different teaching strategies and assessing learning.

  The test

  This module consists of a single paper lasting 80 minutes and containing 80 questions. The test is divided into four parts: learning and development in young learners, planning lessons for young learners, teaching strategies for young learners and classroom-based assessment for young learners.

TKT preparation resources

Cambridge ESOL offers a comprehensive range of printed and online exam preparation and support products and services for teachers and learners for all Cambridge English exams.

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More official preparation materials

A huge range of official Cambridge English preparation materials are also available from the Cambridge University Press website. Materials include printed and digital resources to support teachers and help learners prepare for their exam.

Visit Cambridge University Press

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Materials to buy

Books for study

Books for study

A range of coursebooks and learning resources are produced by independent publishers in the UK and overseas to help you prepare for TKT.

An online TKT course for Modules 1-3, is available from Cambridge University Press.

Find books for study

General TKT resources

TKT (all modules) brochure

An overview of TKT in a handy PDF format.

Read now

TKT Modules 1–3 Handbook and sample papers

Detailed test information with sample papers from the test.

Computer-Based Sample Tests

Try a computer-based sample test. It will allow you to see what a full computer-based test will be like and shows the types of questions that will appear in the live exam.

Try now - TKT Module 1
(click on 'submit' to start the test)

Try now - TKT Module 2
(click on 'submit' to start the test)

Try now - TKT Module 3
(click on 'submit' to start the test)

TKT Glossary

This contains all the main terms and concepts used in teaching which are necessary to understand for the successful completion of the TKT modules. The glossary is regularly reviewed and revised to ensure that all modules reflect continuing developments in core areas of teaching. The current glossary was released in March 2011.

Download now

TKT Modules 1–3 Band descriptors

This document outlines what each of the four band scores means in terms of ability for TKT modules 1–3.

Download now

TKT Information for Candidates

A handy guide to the test, with an overview of what is involved and examples of papers.

Read now

Summary regulations for Candidates

All the important information you need to know when taking the test.

Read now

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TKT: Practical resources

TKT: Practical Handbook for teachers

Detailed information for centres and candidates.

Download now

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TKT: KAL resources

TKT: KAL Handbook for teachers

Detailed information for centres and candidates.

Download now

TKT: KAL Sample paper

Download a sample paper for TKT: KAL.

Download now

TKT: KAL Sample answer key

Download a sample answer key for TKT: KAL

Download now

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TKT: CLIL resources

TKT: CLIL Handbook for teachers

Detailed information for centres and candidates.

Download now

TKT: CLIL Sample paper

Download a sample paper for TKT: CLIL.

Download now

TKT: CLIL Sample answer key

Download a sample answer key for TKT: CLIL.

Download now

TKT: CLIL Glossary

This glossary provides a guide to the terminology and concepts involved in teaching subject content through the medium of a language new to the learner.

Download now

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TKT: Young Learners resources

TKT: Young Learners Handbook for teachers

Detailed information for centres and candidates.

Download now

Test dates

Dates are set by centres in consultation with Cambridge ESOL, taking into account local needs and conditions. Contact your local centre to find out what dates they are offering.

Core modules

Paper-based tests

If all three modules are taken in one day, it will be according to the following schedule:

Module 1	Morning	1 hour 20 minutes
Module 2	Morning	1 hour 20 minutes	This test is taken in the same morning as Module 1
Module 3	Afternoon	1 hour 20 minutes

Computer-based tests

TKT modules 1–3 are available as computer-based tests on the following dates:

2012

Sat 28 January	Fri 4 May	Sat 22 September
Fri 17 February	Sat 26 May	Sat 20 October
Sat 3 March	Sat 9 June	Fri 2 November
Sat 24 March	Sat 7 July	Sat 24 November
Sat 14 April	Sat 11 August	Sat 8 December

2013

Sat 26 January	Fri 3 May	Sat 21 September
Fri 15 February	Sat 25 May	Sat 19 October
Sat 2 March	Sat 8 June	Fri 1 November
Sat 23 March	Sat 6 July	Sat 23 November
Sat 13 April	Sat 10 August	Sat 7 December

Specialist modules

TKT: CLIL, TKT: KAL and TKT: YL are available as on-demand tests. Talk to your centre about what dates they are offering.

 

View a summary of all exam dates for 2012 | 2013 (PDF).

 

Your results

These are reported in four bands. This document outlines what each of the four band scores means in terms of ability for each of the three core TKT modules: TKT band descriptors.

There is no Pass/Fail. You will receive a certificate for each module taken.

TKT results are issued through centres approximately two weeks after receipt of answer sheets by Cambridge ESOL.