5 things pre-service teachers get wrong about the LANTITE numeracy test
The LANTITE numeracy test is one of those assessments that feels deceptively manageable until you’re sitting in front of it. Here are five things that trip students up — and how to get ahead of them.
1. “I’m studying teaching, so I must already be good at this”
This is the most common trap. The LANTITE doesn’t test your ability to teach numeracy — it tests your own numeracy skills at the level of the top 30% of Australian adults. Students who haven’t done much maths since Year 10 are often shocked by how rusty they are when they sit a practice test for the first time.
2. Using the wrong calculator
In Section 1 of the real test, you are provided with a basic online calculator — you cannot bring your own. Many students practise with a scientific calculator, which gives them more functionality than they’ll have on test day. Always practise with a simple four-function calculator to match real conditions.
3. Ignoring the non-calculator section
Section 2 (13 questions, no calculator) is where many students lose the most marks. Without a calculator, mental arithmetic, estimation and number sense are essential. These are skills that need specific practice — don’t assume they’ll come back naturally under exam pressure.
4. Practising with the wrong question style
LANTITE questions are set in education-related real-world contexts — staff rosters, assessment data, timetables, budgets. Generic maths practice helps, but it won’t fully prepare you for the specific way questions are framed in the test. You need to practise with LANTITE-style questions specifically.
5. Leaving preparation too late
The cost of re-sitting a LANTITE component is currently around $196 — plus the time and stress of having to delay your graduation or professional placement. Most students who pass first attempt have done at least 4–6 weeks of structured preparation. Don’t leave it to the week before.
The good news: All of these mistakes are avoidable. Try a free lesson on SN Academy to see exactly where you stand.
