Top 5 Numeracy Mistakes Students Make in the LANTITE Test

The Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) challenges many university students, especially when it comes to the numeracy section. Despite strong academic backgrounds, students often stumble on common maths errors that cost them valuable marks. Understanding these mistakes can help you avoid them and improve your confidence and performance in the test. This post highlights the top five numeracy mistakes students make in the LANTITE and offers practical tips to overcome them.

Common numeracy mistakes in LANTITE test

Mistake 1: Misreading the Question

One of the most frequent errors is misunderstanding what the question asks. LANTITE questions often include multiple steps or require interpreting data carefully. Students sometimes rush and miss key details, such as units of measurement or specific instructions.

Example:

A question might ask for the total cost after a discount, but students calculate the discount amount only. Or, they might overlook whether the answer should be rounded or given as a fraction.

How to avoid this:

• Read the question twice before starting.

• Highlight or underline important words like “total” or “difference,” or “percentage.”

• Check the units and what form the answer should take.

• If possible, visualise or draw the object, for example a question on rectangle.

  
  

Mistake 2: Errors in Basic Calculations

Even simple arithmetic mistakes can lead to wrong answers. These include addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division errors. Under pressure, students sometimes misplace decimals, omit some zeros, or mix up operations.

Example:

Calculating 15% of 240 but multiplying by 0.15 incorrectly or forgetting to convert percentages to decimals.

How to avoid this:

• Practice mental maths regularly to build accuracy.

• Use scratch paper to write out calculations clearly.

• Double-check your work, especially with decimals and percentages.

• Constant practice before the test so you master the methods or remind yourself of the fundamental concepts of the topics required.

  
  

Mistake 3: Confusing Mathematical Concepts

LANTITE tests a range of maths skills, including fractions, percentages, ratios, and basic algebra. Students often confuse these concepts or apply the wrong method.

Example:

Treating a ratio as a fraction without simplifying, or mixing up percentage increase with percentage decrease.

How to avoid this:

• Review key maths concepts before the test.

• Use visual aids like pie charts or number lines to understand relationships.

• Constantly practice different types of problems to build flexibility and deeper knowledge.

  
  

Mistake 4: Poor Time Management

The LANTITE test is timed, and many students spend too long on difficult questions, leaving less time for others. This leads to rushed answers, high level of anxiety/stress and consequently low focus and incomplete sections.

Example:

Spending 15 minutes on one complex problem and then guessing on the remaining questions.

How to avoid this:

• Practice timed tests to get a feel for pacing, you can try a mock testing for yourself.

• If stuck, move on but note that question down and return later if time allows.

• Allocate time based on marks available for each question.

• Ideally, the maximum time on a question should be 1.5 minutes, to allow you sometime to review your answers and correct any mistakes if you do not have extra time allocated to you (access plan). But you can use up to 1 minute 50 seconds on a question and still finish all the 65 questions in 2 hours.

  
  

Mistake 5: Ignoring the Use of Estimation

Estimation is a valuable skill in the LANTITE numeracy section, but students often try to calculate exact answers for every problem, which wastes time and increases errors.

Example:

Calculating a complicated decimal value exactly when a rounded estimate would suffice for the question.

How to avoid this:

• Learn when to estimate and when exact answers are needed.

• Use estimation to check if your detailed calculations are reasonable.

• Practice rounding numbers and approximating results.

• Pay attention to the questions, because some will categorically ask you to estimate or approximate.

  
  

Mistake 6: Unable to do Basic Calculations without the Calculator

Most students struggle to do basic calculations without the use of calculator, and ACER will test you on that. You can master this by learning the numbers, timestable, long division and simple calculations involving addition and subtraction.

Example:  

Calculating 21/2 (21 divided by 2) without a calculator.

How to avoid this:  

• Learn and understand your numbers very well.

• Perform more basic calculations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division involving small numbers and then progress to bigger numbers and even Decimals.

• Master long division and use calculator to check your answers

• If you need help, do no hesitate to ask the right person for help. Seek and you may find.

Improving your numeracy skills for the LANTITE test means building a fundamental knowledge in the concepts of LANTITE Numeracy topics required and then applying them to achieve thorough understanding and accuracy that ultimately generate correct answers.

Avoiding these common mistakes will help you approach the Numeracy section with more confidence and efficiency. Remember, clear reading, solid basics, and smart time use make a big difference.

Take the time to practice with real LANTITE-style questions, review your errors carefully, and build your skills step by step. This approach will prepare you not just for the test but for your future teaching career where numeracy matters.