TKT Specialist Modules

How many Specialist Modules are there?

There are two. They go by the names Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) and Young Learners (YL).

Is there a particular order to follow the two Modules?

Certainly not. TKT is quite flexible, so you can start with whatever the Module you need the most. There’s no particular order or a particular combination to be followed.
As these modules are optional, you may choose the one most applicable to you. For example, if you are teaching young children, TKT YL will be relevant, whereas TKT CLIL will be more applicable if you teach or intend to teach other subjects in English medium.

Should I take only one Module at a time?

You can take any number of modules in a single sitting, whether it’s one or both modules. However, please note that attempting all two modules at once requires a significant amount of exam preparation. During the exam, it consumes a lot of energy and demands a higher level of concentration. For beginners, it is advisable to take one module at a time. However, experienced teachers may find it scalable to take all three tests in one sitting.

How will I be assessed?

Each test consists of 80 questions, 1 hour and 20 minutes in duration, which are 3-option multiple choice and matching questions. Completing each module earns you a certificate with a ‘Band’.

What is a ‘Band’?

A Band indicates your performance in the test. There are four Bands, ranging from Band 1 to Band 4, with Band 1 being the lowest and Band 4 the highest.

Here are the four Bands along with the number of correct answers required:

Band 4: 70 or more correct answers out of 80 questions
Band 3: 45-69 correct answers out of 80 questions
Band 2: 16-44 correct answers out of 80 questions
Band 1: 0-15 correct answers out of 80 questions

Although you receive a certificate regardless of the Band you have obtained, from an employability perspective, Band 3 is considered the minimum. Any Band lower than Band 3 carries very insignificant recognition.

How can I take the test?

If you follow a prep course at a language institute, they will usually take care of exam registration. If you study on your own, you will need to register for the tests at a Cambridge-approved exam center. Don’t worry, it’s a straightforward process. The procedure may vary slightly from country to country and from center to center, but in general, it is similar to the one below.

• Choose a Cambridge approved exam centre of your choice (You can search all the approved centres available in your country)
• Contact the centre for details – exam date(s), fee, registration deadline
• Complete your registration and receive your ‘confirmation of entry’
• Take the test on the specific date mentioned in the ‘confirmation of entry’

Are all two Specialist Modules mandatory for employment?

No. None of the Specialist modules are ‘compulsory’ as they are optional modules. Unlike the three core modules, these modules do not have any impact on being qualified in TKT. We recommend that you take these modules based on your requirements.

How much does it cost to get TKT qualified?

If you have chosen the self-study option, it will cost you only the exam fees. In addition to that, the exam fee varies from country to country, and there could be slight variations in the fee from center to center within the same country. However, at the end of the day, the self-study option will save you a considerable amount of money.

What is the time frame for completing the Specialist Modules?

TKT certificates are evergreen, so you are neither restricted nor obliged to a particular time period for completing all two specialist modules. Unless the content for TKT modules undergoes significant changes, you are all set to present your five-year-old TKT CLIL certificate along with the certificates for TKT YL that you received last month.

Can I do TKT Specialist Modules first?

Yes, there are no restrictions on that. In fact, most candidates complete their TKT Core Modules before starting the specialist modules. However, it is important to note that completing the specialist modules alone does not earn you the title of ‘TKT qualified’.