The Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination (GTLE) is an important examination for every aspiring teacher in Ghana. It is organized by the National Teaching Council (NTC) to ensure that teachers entering the classroom are well-prepared, professional, and ready to deliver quality education.

The exam does not only test your academic knowledge but also your teaching skills, communication ability, and professional readiness.

Many students graduating from Colleges of Education and Universities often ask: “What is the structure of the GTLE?” and “Who can write the exam?” This article explains everything in simple words.

Who Qualifies to Write the GTLE?

The GTLE is not for everyone; it is specifically designed for people who are preparing to join the teaching profession in Ghana. The following categories of people are qualified:

• Graduates from Colleges of Education in Ghana. Every student who successfully completes a teacher training program in a College of Education is expected to write the GTLE before being licensed as a professional teacher.
• Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) graduates from universities. University students who graduate with education degrees can also write.
• Diploma in Basic Education (DBE) holders. Teachers who already hold a DBE qualification are also eligible.
• Degree holders in other fields. Graduates who studied other courses but want to become teachers can write the GTLE if they take education-related courses or complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE).

In short, if you have completed teacher training in Ghana or hold a qualification that makes you eligible to teach, you must write the GTLE before you can be fully recognized as a professional teacher.

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Structure of the Exams

1. General Professional Knowledge

This paper is written by all candidates, no matter the level or subject of teaching. It is designed to test the general knowledge every teacher must have in order to be effective in the classroom. The paper is divided into three main parts:

• Literacy
• Essential Professional Skills
• Numeracy

Exam Format:

• 90 multiple-choice questions
• 1 essay question in the Literacy section (10 marks)

The essay helps test how well a teacher can communicate ideas in writing, since teaching involves not only speaking but also writing clearly.

2. Related Pedagogy

Pedagogy simply means the art and science of teaching. This paper checks how well you understand teaching methods and how you can apply them at the level you want to teach.

The areas include:

• Early Childhood Education
• Primary Education
• Junior High School (JHS)
• Senior High School (SHS)

Exam Format:

• 70 multiple-choice questions
• 30 marks practical teaching presentation (Teaching Practice) according to the new reforms

This section is very important because it moves beyond theory. It checks how you can plan lessons, manage a class, and use teaching methods that make learning easy for pupils or students.

3. Subject of Specialization

Every teacher has a subject area. If you are training to teach at JHS or SHS, this paper tests your knowledge in your major subject. For example, if you studied English, Science, Social Studies, or ICT, you will write in that subject.

Exam Format:

• 100 multiple-choice questions
• Note: Mathematics majors answer 60 multiple-choice questions instead of 100.

This part ensures that teachers have deep subject knowledge, because you cannot effectively teach what you do not fully understand yourself.

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4. Multiple Subject Content (For Early Childhood & Primary Education students only)

Unlike JHS and SHS teachers who specialize in one subject, Early Childhood and Primary Education teachers teach many subjects at the lower levels. For that reason, this section tests your knowledge in different subject areas.

Exam Format:

• 100 multiple-choice questions

It checks your ability to handle subjects like Mathematics, English, Science, and Social Studies at the basic school level.

Pass Mark

To successfully pass the GTLE, every candidate must score a minimum of 52% in each paper. This means you must meet the pass mark in General Professional Knowledge, Related Pedagogy, and your Specialization or Multiple Subject Content paper. Scoring below 52% in any of the papers means you will need to rewrite that paper before becoming a licensed teacher.

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In Summary

Every candidate writes three main papers in the GTLE:

1. General Professional Knowledge
   • 90 multiple-choice questions
   • 1 essay (10 marks)
2. Related Pedagogy
   • 70 multiple-choice questions
   • 30 marks practical teaching
3. Specialization or Multiple Subject Content
   • JHS and SHS: 100 multiple-choice questions (Math = 60 questions)
   • Early Childhood and Primary: 100 multiple-choice questions

The GTLE is a standard test designed to make sure that teachers entering Ghana’s classrooms are professional, knowledgeable, and ready to teach.

With a pass mark of 52%, candidates are encouraged to prepare well, study hard, and practice past questions to increase their chances of success. Passing these three papers proves that you are prepared for the noble profession of teaching.