Hello Exam Seekers,

The last time I talked about the Cambridge TKT (Teaching Knowledge Test), I wrote about the following topics:

• What is the TKT? Common questions about this test.
• TKT: Young Learners (YL) – What is it?
• TKT: CLIL – What is it?
• TKT or CELTA? Which way to go?
• TKT: Modules 1, 2, and 3 (Core Modules)

Each TKT has its own peculiarity – so make sure you read the posts to know which TKT to take – but they have one thing in common: they are all assessed in the same way. So today, I’m going to talk about how the TKT is assessed, and the TKT Bands.

As I mentioned in the previous texts, the TKTs are paper-based 80 multiple-choice and matching questions tests divided into 3 Core Modules and 2 Specialists Modules.

• Core Modules:
  • Module 1 – Language and background to language learning and teaching.
  • Module 2 – Lesson planning and use of resources for language teaching;
  • Module 3 – Managing the teaching and learning process.
• Specialist Modules:
  • TKT: YL;
  • TKT: CLIL.

When taking the TKT: Core Modules, the TKT: YL, or the TKT: CLIL, you are sitting for 5 different tests. This means that you will receive 5 certificates, one for each TKT module that you complete. There is no Pass or Fail. You will receive a certificate for each of the tests with different grades for each. The results are not reported in numbers, but they are reported in Bands 1–4, with Band 4 being the highest.

• Band 1 represents limited knowledge of the content areas tested;
• Band 2 represents basic but systematic knowledge;
• Band 3 shows a breadth and depth of knowledge;
• Band 4 shows extensive knowledge.

As I mentioned, Band 4 is the highest, so you have to try and pursue Band 4 or Band 3. There are not many differences between them. However, they are very different from Band 2 and Band 1. Bellow, you can see that I underlined the differences between the bands for each module:

Module 1: Language and background to language learning and teaching

• BAND 4 – The candidate demonstrates comprehensive and accurate knowledge of all areas on the TKT: Module 1 syllabus, i.e. language systems and background to language learning and teaching. He/she shows familiarity with the full range of concepts, terminology, practices and processes tested in TKT: Module 1, which relate to describing language and language skills, factors in the language learning process and the range of methods, tasks and activities available to the language teacher. The candidate is able to relate existing knowledge to both familiar and unfamiliar classroom situations.

• BAND 3 – The candidate generally demonstrates comprehensive and accurate knowledge of areas on the TKT: Module 1 syllabus, i.e. language systems and background to language learning and teaching. He/she shows familiarity with most of the concepts, terminology, practices and processes tested in TKT: Module 1, which relate to describing language and language skills, factors in the language learning process and the range of methods, tasks and activities available to the language teacher. The candidate is generally able to relate existing knowledge to both familiar and unfamiliar classroom situations.

• BAND 2 – The candidate demonstrates basic knowledge of areas on the TKT: Module 1 syllabus, i.e. language systems and background to language learning and teaching. He/she shows familiarity with some of the concepts, terminology, practices and processes tested in TKT: Module 1, which relate to describing language and language skills, factors in the language learning process and the range of methods, tasks and activities available to the language teacher. The candidate is able to relate existing knowledge to familiar classroom situations, and occasionally to unfamiliar ones.

• BAND 1 –  The candidate demonstrates restricted knowledge of areas on the TKT: Module 1 syllabus, i.e. language systems and background to language learning and teaching. He/she shows familiarity with a limited range of the concepts, terminology, practices and processes tested in TKT: Module 1, which relate to describing language and language skills, factors in the language learning process and the range of methods, tasks and activities available to the language teacher. The candidate is able to relate existing knowledge to familiar classroom situations only. 

Module 2: Lesson planning and use of resources for language teaching

• BAND 4 – The candidate demonstrates comprehensive and extensive knowledge of all areas on the TKT: Module 2 syllabus, i.e. lesson planning and use of resources for language teaching. He/she shows familiarity with the full range of concepts, terminology, practices and processes tested in TKT: Module 2, which relate to general practice in lesson planning and materials use, reasons for carrying out particular activities in the classroom, and for using particular resources and materials. The candidate is able to relate existing knowledge to both familiar and unfamiliar classroom situations.

• BAND 3 – The candidate generally demonstrates comprehensive and extensive knowledge of areas on the TKT: Module 2 syllabus, i.e. lesson planning and use of resources for language teaching. He/she shows familiarity with most of the concepts, terminology, practices and processes tested in TKT: Module 2, which relate to general practice in lesson planning and materials use, reasons for carrying out particular activities in the classroom, and for using particular resources and materials. The candidate is generally able to relate existing knowledge to both familiar and unfamiliar classroom situations.

• BAND 2 – The candidate demonstrates basic knowledge of areas on the TKT: Module 2 syllabus, i.e. lesson planning and use of resources for language teaching. He/she shows familiarity with some of the concepts, terminology, practices and processes tested in TKT: Module 2, which relate to general practice in lesson planning and materials use, reasons for carrying out particular activities in the classroom, and for using particular resources and materials. The candidate is able to relate existing knowledge to familiar classroom situations, and occasionally to unfamiliar ones.

• BAND 1 – The candidate demonstrates restricted knowledge of areas on the TKT: Module 2 syllabus, i.e. lesson planning and use of resources for language teaching. He/she shows familiarity with a limited range of the concepts, terminology, practices and processes tested in TKT: Module 2, which relate to general practice in lesson planning and materials use, reasons for carrying out particular activities in the classroom, and for using particular resources and materials. The candidate is able to relate existing knowledge to familiar classroom situations only.

Module 3: Managing the teaching and learning process

• BAND 4 – The candidate demonstrates comprehensive and extensive knowledge of all areas on the TKT: Module 3 syllabus, i.e. managing the teaching and learning process. He/she shows familiarity with the full range of concepts, terminology, practices and processes tested in TKT: Module 3, which relate to teachers’ and learners’ language in the classroom and options available for classroom management in order to promote learning. The candidate is able to relate existing knowledge to both familiar and unfamiliar classroom situations.

• BAND 3 – The candidate generally demonstrates comprehensive and extensive knowledge of areas on the TKT: Module 3 syllabus, i.e. managing the teaching and learning process. He/she shows familiarity with most of the concepts, terminology, practices and processes tested in TKT: Module 3, which relate to teachers’ and learners’ language in the classroom and options available for classroom management in order to promote learning. The candidate is generally able to relate existing knowledge to both familiar and unfamiliar classroom situations. 

• BAND 2 –The candidate demonstrates basic knowledge of areas on the TKT: Module 3 syllabus, i.e. managing the teaching and learning process. He/she shows familiarity with some of the concepts, terminology, practices and processes tested in TKT: Module 3, which relate to teachers’ and learners’ language in the classroom and options available for classroom management in order to promote learning. The candidate is able to relate existing knowledge to familiar classroom situations, and occasionally to unfamiliar ones.

• BAND 1 – The candidate demonstrates restricted knowledge of areas on the TKT: Module 3 syllabus, i.e. managing the teaching and learning process. He/she shows familiarity with a limited range of the concepts, terminology, practices and processes tested in TKT: Module 3, which relate to teachers’ and learners’ language in the classroom and options available for classroom management in order to promote learning. The candidate is able to relate existing knowledge to familiar classroom situations only.

That’s why it is imperative that you study for the TKT because depending on the number of mistakes, you can take a Band 3 or 4. Bellow is an average of the grading system (general figures only, subject to change). Each correct answer is 1 mark:

• Band 1: 0 – 15 
• Band 2: 16 – 39
• Band 3: 40-69
• Band 4: 70-80

Cambridge will send your grades to your center approximately two weeks after they have received your answer sheets. So study hard and go for it!

Here is a sample of the TKT Certificate Module 2 – Lesson Planning and use of resources for language teaching.

In front of the certificate, there is the name of the TKT Module, your name, the number of your certificate, the date and the place of issue, and the band you got. At the back, there is an explanation about the bands.

If you want to know more about the TKT, just let me know by leaving a comment in the comment section below. Also, share with people interested in learning about the TKT, I’m sure it will be helpful.

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Have a great week,
Patricia Moura