What happens if you fail the LANTITE? Everything you need to know
Nobody wants to think about failing. But understanding what happens if you do fail the LANTITE is actually one of the most useful things you can know — because it makes the consequences concrete and the motivation to prepare properly very clear.
Can you re-sit the LANTITE?
Yes. There is no limit on the number of times you can sit the LANTITE Numeracy or Literacy test. You can re-sit as many times as needed until you pass. However, there are practical constraints that make re-sitting costly and stressful.
How much does it cost to re-sit?
Each sitting of the LANTITE costs around $196 per component (numeracy and literacy are separate tests). If you fail and need to re-sit, that is another $196 — on top of your original sitting fee. Students who sit both tests and fail one or both can end up paying $400–$800 or more before they pass.
For students already managing HECS debt and living expenses, this is a significant financial hit that can be avoided entirely with proper preparation.
Does failing affect your graduation?
Yes — and this is the consequence most students underestimate. Most Australian universities require you to pass both the numeracy and literacy components of the LANTITE before you can graduate from your teaching degree or receive your teaching qualification.
If you fail and cannot re-sit in time before your graduation date, your graduation may be deferred. This delays your ability to register as a teacher and start working, which has flow-on effects for employment and income.
How long do you have to wait between sittings?
ACER requires a waiting period between sittings. You cannot sit the same test component again immediately — there is typically a 28-day waiting period before you can re-sit. This means a failed attempt does not just cost money; it costs weeks of your timeline.
What does your score report tell you?
If you don’t meet the standard, your Statement of Results will show you which band you fell in — “well below the standard” or “approaching the standard.” This at least gives you a sense of how far away you were, though it doesn’t break down your performance by topic area.
The best insurance against failing
The students who fail are almost never failing because the standard is too high. They are failing because they underestimated the test format, didn’t practise with LANTITE-style questions, or ran out of time on the day.
All of these are preventable with the right preparation. Try SN Academy free for 14 days — full access to all 10 practice tests, no credit card required.
