Teacher Capability Assessment Tool (TCAT) is a web-based tool to help identify the optimal mix of knowledge and personal skills to become a successful teacher. It asks about previous experience, motivations to teach; and includes questions on literacy and numeracy skills, other abilities, and disposition.
When to complete TCAT
When applying for a course where completion of TCAT is required: You will need to complete TCAT prior to submitting a course application. It is a compulsory step in the process and can only be completed once per intake.
When part of a professional development activity: You will need to complete TCAT in the timeframe set out for this activity. Please refer to the instructions provided to you.
How to complete TCAT
- Register your details to create a TCAT account. Please enter your legal name (that is, the name on your formal ID such as passport or driver’s licence). If applying for a course, please ensure the registration details entered in TCAT match the details on your course application.
- Complete email verification and two-step verification.
- Complete the online assessment.
If you need to reset your account, visit Account Recovery
The total estimated time commitment is 75 - 100 minutes.
After you have completed TCAT
You will receive an automatic email confirming that you have completed TCAT. This email from TCAT will contain your unique TCAT ID and may be used as evidence of completion (for example, for your course application).
Taking the test
The online assessment consists of five modules, which must be completed in sequence. You can monitor your progress via a progress bar at the top of the page.
Please note that some modules are timed. Once a module times out, it will submit your response automatically, so please allocate sufficient time.
You can stop during the assessment, but only at the end of each module. It is a security feature within TCAT that does not allow you to move away from the TCAT page whilst a module is in progress. Too many attempts will result in the module being terminated and you will move to the next module.
During the assessment, it is advisable that only the TCAT screen should be active. Also, please ensure that all notifications for other software and applications are turned off prior to starting the assessment.
You cannot review or repeat a section once your response is submitted.
Use high speed internet as some images will be downloaded during the timed sections of the survey.
Read the frequently asked questions section before you start.
The TCAT instrument is designed to give insight into the development of inherent dispositions and skills that research suggests are associated with effective teachers. You cannot study for it.
Inclusion and equity
We are committed to promoting inclusion and equity for applicants with disabilities or long-term medical conditions, and helping to provide technologies that assist students.
Reasonable adjustments can be made if an applicant with a disability or impairment experiences difficulty in completing TCAT.
Please email TCAT-help@unimelb.edu.au to obtain details of the relevant contact with whom you can discuss reasonable adjustments.
Research into good teachers and good teaching
Research into the characteristics of effective teachers is being undertaken by the Teacher and Teaching Effectiveness Research Hub at The University of Melbourne. The conduct of the research project has been approved by the University's Human Research Ethics Committee, and your information will be used in accordance with the University of Melbourne’s privacy policy. Please note that your responses remain confidential and will not be shared in an identifiable manner, and only de-identified data will be used by the research team. Your responses will only be used for research purposes if you provide consent during the registration process.
For further information on the research please contact tcat-help@unimelb.edu.au