Mathematical competence in future teachers. A fact or fiction?

The present paper has attempted to explore the extent to which future teachers have the mathematical skills which are regarded as essential in Primary Education. For that purpose, 309 third year students from the Faculty of Education at the University of Murcia were given a CDI test specifically designed for 6th graders. The data showed that (i) male students produced better scores than females; (ii) over one fifth of the female students did not pass the test; (iii) the students over 20 years of age achieved better scores than the younger ones; and that (iv) none of the students passed. These findings allow us to conclude that the mathematical skills corresponding to 6th grade of primary education had not been adequately acquired by any of the future teachers. The implications of this fact must seriously be addressed by all those parts who play an active role in the educational system.