To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many entrants to teacher training courses had to resit the (a) literacy and (b) numeracy tests (i) once, (ii) twice and (iii) three or more times in the last year for which figures are available. (288243)

The information is as follows:

(a) Literacy Test

In 2007/08, 3,760 entrants to teacher training courses had to resit the literacy test once. The number of entrants who resat the test two or more times was 2,490. A further breakdown to show those who resat the literacy test twice or three or more times could be provided only at disproportionate costs.

(b) Numeracy Test

In 2007-08, 3,260 entrants to teacher training courses had to resit the numeracy test once. The number of entrant who resat the test two or more times was 3,480. A further breakdown to show those who resat the numeracy test twice or three or more times could be provided only at disproportionate costs.