What is the Cambridge Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT)?
The Cambridge TKT focuses on the teaching knowledge needed by teachers of primary, secondary or adult learners of English, anywhere in the world. It will increase your confidence and enhance your job prospects.
How can TKT help my career?
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.
Why take TKT with the British Council?
A million people take exams with the British Council every year. In Spain, we have many years’ experience working with TKT and other specialist Cambridge exams. We provide pre-exam support and a professional and efficient service to make your exam day run as smoothly as possible.
What’s in the exam?
The 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 – you’ll receive a certificate for each one completed. To take the exams, you are advised to have a B1 level of English in the Common European Framework of Reference.
Find out more about the exam and how to prepare for TKT.
How to Register
Registering is quick and easy. Register for your TKT exam.
Useful Links
TKT Test - official Cambridge site.
Register for your Cambridge TKT Exam
Registering for your exam is simple.
- Check exam dates and locations in the table below.
- Download and complete the registration form and instructions for your exam.
You’ll find all the information you need on the exam registration form for your centre.
- Registration forms are only available during the registration periods shown in the table below.
- The registration forms below are for individual candidates only.
- If you are a school, academy or other organisation and want to register multiple candidates, please visit our exams for schools and academies page.
How to prepare for TKT
Because TKT is modular, your preparation will depend on the modules you choose:
- three of the core modules are based around a written test (for each, you’ll answer 80 questions in 80 minutes)
- the TKT:Practical test consists of an observation of your teaching by a Cambridge ESOL assessor. You may take just this module if you already teach but want formal confirmation of your practical teaching competence
- there are also three specialist modules covering young learners, English language knowledge and teaching different curriculum subjects in English
Learn more about TKT modules at the Cambridge website.
Learning resources
As with all Cambridge ESOL certificates, there is a wide range of support to help you prepare for your exam.
Take a look at the Cambridge TKT exam preparation site. You can download many free materials, such as a short booklet about the exam, information for candidates, sample exam papers and sound files for the Listening Test materials.
Do you have a disability?
If you have a disability, please contact your local British Council Exams centre to find out how we can help. You can also get more information on the Cambridge exams site.
You will receive a certificate for each module you take. This will show your ‘band score’ for that module, graded from 1 to 4 - there is no Pass/Fail.
Learn more about what each of the four band scores means in terms of ability for each of the three core TKT modules.
You’ll receive your results approximately two weeks after taking the test.