Aptitude test for guidance counsellors

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The instructions on this page are intended for you if you have received a conditional decision on the recognition of professional qualifications from Finnish National Agency for Education (Act 1384/2015 or Act 1093/2007) or on eligibility for a teaching post in Finland and according to the decision, you must complete an adaptation period or an aptitude test.

Photo: Satu Haavisto

The objective of the aptitude test is to evaluate your ability to practice the profession. The aptitude test for guidance counsellors consists of three subject areas. Finnish National Agency for Education's decision determines which of the three subject areas are included in your aptitude test.

Completion of the aptitude test

If you would like to complete the aptitude test, register with a university as a candidate for the aptitude test and agree on the timetable for taking the test and its details. The university may charge a fee for arranging the test.

The university will indicate literature for you to read for preparing for the test. In addition, you should familiarise yourself with the key Finnish core curricula from the point of view of guidance counsellors.

As a general rule, the aptitude test is arranged in Finnish or Swedish.

The subject areas of the aptitude test

1. Guidance counselling in Finland

Method of completion: An essay on the topic “Guidance counselling in Finland”

When writing the essay, you should use at least two sources indicated by the university, as well as your education and personal experiences. The length of the essay is 7-10 pages.

2. Finnish school

Method of completion: An essay on the topic “Finnish school”

In your essay, you will demonstrate your knowledge of Finnish teaching practices and the Finnish school system, as well as the central provisions and regulations with regard to your profession. In addition to these provisions and regulations, use at least two of the sources indicated by the university and the personal experiences you may have of Finnish schools. The length of the essay is 7-10 pages.

3. Network cooperation in counselling work

Method of completion: a report on network cooperation, based on interviews and literature

The pupil (student) welfare groups of the educational institution are the main form of activities in network cooperation. Counsellors participate in the operation of the groups. In addition to this, they build cooperation networks with educational institutions at different levels of education and with stakeholders in working life.

Interview guidance counsellors about network cooperation. Also, familiarise yourself with literature according to the instructions given to you by the recipient of the aptitude test.

The feedback session at the end of the aptitude test

The aptitude test ends with a feedback session that is arranged when you have completed all parts of the aptitude test. Before participating in the feedback session, send the written assignments on the different subject areas to the university arranging the aptitude test.

In the feedback session, you receive oral feedback on the subject areas that you completed in the aptitude test. The following questions can be used in the feedback session to review your professional development:

Development of your guidance counsellor’s career
- studies
- working as a guidance counsellor
- your own assessment of your development

Self-evaluation of your own competences
- How would you evaluate your own activities as a guidance counsellor and colleague in the work community?
- How could you further develop your activities as a guidance counsellor?
- How do you manage stress and take care of your own well-being and development?
A description of your own view of education
- What are the central principles / values in your work?
- What kind of conception of learning is your work based on?
Discussing your own learning
- What were the most important things, situations or issues to you during the aptitude test?
- What issues do you think you need to learn more about?