TT Clerical Entrance
More study resources
Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
The TT Clerical Entrance examination is a screening test used to judge whether a candidate has the basic office skills expected of an entry-level clerical worker: correct English, accurate arithmetic, careful reading, and the filing and checking habits that keep a records office running. It is typically taken by school leavers and career changers applying for clerical, records, reception and junior administrative posts, and by anyone who wants a measurable benchmark of basic office competence. The paper is multiple choice and is built around six areas: grammar and sentence structure, spelling and vocabulary, reading comprehension, numerical computation and arithmetic reasoning, clerical aptitude (alphabetical filing, checking and coding), and general knowledge with office practice. Because the two largest components are numerical and clerical aptitude, candidates who revise only English tend to underperform. Preparation works best as a routine rather than a cram: a short daily block of arithmetic done without a calculator, an alphabetising and filing drill, a grammar review, and one timed mixed set each week so accuracy holds up under pressure. The administering body publishes current details on format, dates, fees and results, and candidates should confirm those directly with it rather than relying on second-hand information.
What you'll study
About TT Clerical Entrance preparation
What is the exam really testing?
Basic competence, not advanced knowledge. It checks whether you can read a passage and answer precisely, write and spot correct English, compute percentages and averages without a calculator, and alphabetise or compare strings of characters quickly and without error. Those are the tasks of a real clerical desk.
How difficult is it?
The individual questions are not hard; the difficulty is pace, care and consistency across six areas. Most candidates can do any single item. Marks are lost through misread instructions, rushed arithmetic and filing errors under time pressure, so practise accuracy first and speed second.
Can I use a calculator?
The official bulletin states which aids, if any, are permitted on the day, so check it before you sit. Plan your preparation around working without one: long multiplication, percentages, fractions, averages and simple ratios done on paper are the core skill the numerical section is measuring.
How long should I prepare?
Most people need six to ten weeks of steady work rather than a few days of cramming. Short daily sessions beat weekend marathons because arithmetic and filing speed are built by repetition. Start with a diagnostic set, then weight your time toward whichever sections are weakest.
What order should I study the sections in?
Start with numerical computation and clerical aptitude, since together they carry the heaviest weighting and improve fastest with drill. Add grammar and spelling in short daily blocks, then reading comprehension, and leave general knowledge and office practice for lighter, ongoing revision rather than a final cram.
What mistakes do candidates make most often?
Ignoring alphabetical filing until the last week, doing arithmetic only with a calculator, and skipping timed practice. Others misread question stems, leave blanks instead of eliminating options, or spend too long on one stubborn item. Practise full mixed sets so you learn when to move on.
Can I retake the exam if I do not pass?
Retake rules are set by the administering body and can change between sittings. Rather than rely on what a friend or forum says, check the current policy, including any waiting period, on the official site or in the candidate bulletin before you plan a second attempt.
Do I have to pass every section?
Scoring rules, including whether there is an overall cut-off, a per-section minimum, or both, are published by the administering body and are not fixed forever. Confirm the current arrangement with it directly, and in the meantime prepare as though every section counts, because in practice each one does.
Is general knowledge worth revising?
Yes, but efficiently. It carries the smallest share, so read widely and lightly, focusing on office practice, common abbreviations, and current affairs in your country and region. Do not let it displace arithmetic and filing practice, which reward study far more predictably.