PGCE Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield PGCE facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which legislation dramatically expanded the academy programme, allowing all maintained schools in England to apply for academy status? → Academies Act 2010
2. Which Act of Parliament raised the participation age in England, requiring young people to remain in education or training until the age of 18? → Education and Skills Act 2008
3. What does Hattie's research in 'Visible Learning' identify as the most powerful influence on pupil achievement? → Feedback
4. In curriculum design, what does 'vertical alignment' refer to? → Ensuring knowledge and skills build coherently from one year group to the next
5. According to Piaget's theory, what characterises the 'formal operational' stage of cognitive development? → Adolescents can reason abstractly, think hypothetically and use systematic logic
6. What is the Pupil Premium in English schools? → Additional government funding to raise attainment of disadvantaged pupils
7. Which Act of Parliament introduced the National Curriculum to all state schools in England and Wales? → Education Reform Act 1988
8. Which Teachers' Standard specifically addresses the requirement to 'manage behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment'? → Standard 7
9. You are covering a colleague's lesson and the class tests your authority by being deliberately noisy. What is the best initial response? → Wait silently at the front with a calm, expectant posture until pupils notice and quieten
10. What is the primary purpose of Ofsted inspections in English schools? → To evaluate and report on the quality of education and standards in schools
11. A teacher shares success criteria at the start of a lesson. What AfL purpose does this serve? → It enables pupils to self-assess and direct their own learning
12. Why is it important to include 'challenge' activities in lesson planning? → To stretch thinking and deepen understanding for all pupils, especially higher attainers
13. What does a restorative conversation after an incident typically involve? → Discussing harm caused, needs affected, and how to repair relationships
14. Which theorist's work underpins the idea that consistent, clear boundaries reduce challenging behaviour in schools? → Lee Canter (Assertive Discipline)
15. What does the acronym SPAG stand for in UK primary and secondary assessment? → Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar
16. Which section of the Education Act 2002 places a duty on schools to safeguard and promote the welfare of children? → Section 175
17. How does 'withitness', a concept from Kounin's classroom management research, help manage behaviour? → It describes a teacher's awareness of everything happening in the classroom at all times
18. The Prevent Duty under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 requires schools to: → Have due regard to the need to prevent people being drawn into terrorism
19. What are the four categories of child abuse as defined in 'Working Together to Safeguard Children'? → Physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect
20. The Graham Allen Report (2011) primarily focused on which area of educational and social policy? → Early intervention and the critical importance of the early years
21. A PGCE trainee is planning a lesson for a mixed-ability Year 9 class. Which approach best meets all pupils needs? → Plan tasks at different levels of cognitive demand with scaffolding and challenge for all
22. Which statutory guidance document sets out how Ofsted inspectors carry out school inspections under the current Education Inspection Framework? → School Inspection Handbook
23. What does SEND stand for as used in UK education legislation? → Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
24. What does 'transition management' refer to in classroom management? → Efficiently handling changes between activities within or between lessons
25. How should a PGCE trainee respond when a pupil challenges a sanction publicly in front of the class? → Calmly defer the discussion to a private moment, maintaining the sanction
26. Under the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework (EIF), which of the following is NOT one of the four key judgement areas? → Financial management and audit compliance
27. What does 'duty of care' mean in the context of a teacher's legal responsibilities in England? → The legal obligation to take reasonable steps to protect pupils from foreseeable harm
28. According to Rosenshine's Principles of Instruction, why is it important to review previous learning at the start of each lesson? → To strengthen memory of prior knowledge and identify gaps before introducing new content
29. What does the term 'oracy' refer to in education? → The skills of listening and speaking for a range of purposes and audiences
30. What is an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan? → A statutory document describing a child's SEND needs and the support required