The Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE) was introduced by the Australian Government in 2016 and is used to assess those aspects of initial teacher education students’ personal literacy and numeracy skills that can be measured through an online assessment tool.
When Bachelor of Education students should sit the test
- In the T1 Year 2 course, EDST2003 Language, Literacy and Numeracy, Bachelor of Education students will be introduced to the test and asked to register for a test window near the end of the course (Test Window 2), which is in time to do EDST2002 in T3.
- If the standards in one or both components are not met in Test Window 2, they will be able to re-sit in August (Test Window 3) and, if successful, still complete EDST2002 in T3, Year 2.
Note: From 2018, all Bachelor of Education students must achieve the test standard in both components of the LANTITE tests before going on EDST2002 Professional Engagement placement and any subsequent placements. To ensure success in the LANTITE test, UNSW provides Bachelor of Education students assistance at multiple points in the lead up to the deadline for passing, including the opportunity to self-assess their literacy and numeracy skills at their orientation in the first week of their program.
When Master of Teaching students should sit the test
Master of Teaching (Primary and Secondary) students are required to have registered for the test no later than test Window 3 and to have achieved the test standard in both components of the LANTITE before final placement, EDST6765 Professional Experience/ Internship 2 (PE2), T1 Year 2 for both MTeach Primary and Secondary.
If the test standard is not achieved in this timeframe, students will have to delay their final placement, follow the recommended path to success provided by UNSW and re-enrol in a future PE2 placement window.
Where students do the test
The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) makes all the arrangements for the tests and has outlined everything the student needs to ensure a successful experience completing the tests. All details can be found on the ACER website.
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BEd students with a disability or other health-related need, which might interfere with their ability to sit the test in the standard manner, can apply for special testing conditions via the candidate account on ACER. It is important this is completed as soon as possible after registration for the relevant test window.
Supporting documents must be submitted directly to ACER for special test conditions via email, mail or fax. See Reasonable Adjustments for more information.
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The standard re-sit allowance permits an initial test attempt plus up to two additional re-sits (three attempts in total) for each component (literacy and numeracy) of the test. It is assumed that three test attempts in total provide students with adequate opportunities to meet the standard of the test before graduation.
In exceptional cases, UNSW can support and request up to two additional test attempts above the standard re-sit allowance for students if there are major extenuating circumstances (based on medical, psychological, or compassionate grounds). Please reach out to education@unsw.edu.au for further information.
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During the trial period, (Test Window 4, September 2023 to Test Window 4, September 2024) students can access uncapped test attempts. Additional information can be found here.
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The LANTITE does not test oral skills, only intensive reading, and technical skills in writing.
Oral skills are tested at multiple points during UNSW’s Bachelor of Education program:
- Upon entry to the program, students must meet the UNSW English Language Requirements
- International students need an overall IELTS score of 7.0, with a minimum of 7.5 in Speaking and Listening and a minimum of 6.5 in Reading and Writing (or an equivalent test).
- Upon graduating, international students are required to have an equivalent level of English to IELTS 7.5, with 8.0 for Speaking and Listening. This is assessed in Year 3 and 4 through method classes and placements.
Students are identified, monitored and supported from the beginning of the program both within courses and as part of standard assessment criteria. Students consistently underperforming in any aspect of language and literacy, including oral skills, may be required to undertake appropriate additional English language training as advised by the School of Education. This may include but is not limited to completion of EDST2094 Communication Skills in T2 Year 2.
- Upon entry to the program, students must meet the UNSW English Language Requirements
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Students must be familiar with the Literacy and Numeracy website and the Described Proficiency Scale, which outlines the skills assessed by the National Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (‘the test’) and how candidates’ achievement of the standard required by the test is determined.
In addition, the following specific resources may help prepare for the tests.
Note: students should not use resources designed for school student/NAPLAN tests as the content is not aimed at a high enough skill level.
Literacy and numeracy
- Strive for Excellence (highly recommended) - regularly updated by teachers.
- Cambridge LANTITE Edge (recommended) - a program developed specifically for students of education courses to give them the guidance they need.
- BBC Teach - Skillswise
Numeracy only
- UNSW School of Mathematics and Statistics drop-in centre - tutors can help students looking for additional assistance with numeracy skills.
- Numerical Reasoning Test / Practice Test (Psychometric Assessment)
Literacy only
- Read theory - reading skills development.
Have More Questions?
Frequently asked questions and information about eligibility can be found on the NESA website.