Teach First Arctic Shores Practice
Comprehensive preparation guide for Teach First's task-based assessment
Assessment Time
15–50 min
5 days to complete
Games Included
Up to 9 tasks
Cognitive & behavioral
Difficulty
Moderate
Practice recommended
About Teach First's Task-Based Assessment
Teach First, the UK's leading graduate teacher training and leadership development charity, uses Arctic Shores' task-based assessment as the second stage of their Training Programme application. After submitting your application form, candidates receive an invitation to complete the assessment within 5 days. The tasks are designed to measure the cognitive abilities and behavioral traits that underpin effective teaching — such as resilience, empathy, learning agility, and the ability to think clearly under pressure. Upon completion, every candidate receives a personalised feedback report with insights into their unique psychological characteristics.
What to Expect
- Up to 9 interactive tasks capturing thought processes and motivations
- Cognitive tasks measuring processing speed and analytical thinking
- Behavioral tasks aligned with what makes an effective teacher
- Emotional recognition and interpersonal awareness tasks
- Some timed tasks depending on the role applied for
Teach First Programmes Using Arctic Shores
Training Programme
- Secondary School Teaching
- Primary School Teaching
- STEM Subject Specialists
- Humanities & Arts
Leadership Development
- Ambassador Programme
- School Leadership
- Social Mobility Initiatives
- Community Impact Roles
How CogniPrep Helps
The task-based format is genuinely different from anything most applicants have seen before. Practicing beforehand means you're not spending mental energy working out the mechanics during the real assessment — you can focus on responding naturally and performing at your best. CogniPrep gives you access to all 14 Arctic Shores game simulations so you go into Teach First's assessment with complete confidence.
Top Tips
Don't leave it to the last day
You have 5 days from your invitation to complete the assessment. Choose a time when you're alert, well-rested, and free from distractions — don't rush it at the deadline.
You'll get a personalised feedback report
Unlike most employers, Teach First gives every candidate a personalised insights report after completing the assessment. This makes it genuinely valuable regardless of whether you progress — and a useful reference for future applications.
Resilience and empathy matter
Teaching is a demanding, people-focused role. Teach First's assessment is designed to surface traits like emotional resilience, empathy, and the ability to stay calm under pressure — all of which come through naturally in the behavioral tasks.
Find a quiet environment
Even though you have a flexible window, complete the assessment in a single sitting free from interruptions. Some tasks are timed and require full concentration.
Start Practicing for Teach First Today
Access all 14 Arctic Shores games with free limited practice
Begin Teach First Assessment PracticeFrequently Asked Questions
How long is Teach First's task-based assessment?
Teach First states that the assessment takes between 15 and 50 minutes depending on how many tasks are included. You have 5 days from your invitation email to complete it.
Will I find out my results?
Yes — Teach First provides all candidates with a personalised feedback report after completing the assessment, giving you insights into your psychological characteristics and how they translate into real-world scenarios.
Is practicing helpful for Teach First's assessment?
Yes. Practice helps you understand the game formats so you're not caught off guard by the interactive task mechanics. The more familiar you are with the format, the more naturally your genuine traits will come through.