This study investigated four novice secondary teachers' experience and perceptions of teacher education in relation to their current work experience in a high-stakes testing context. The novice teachers commonly indicated that their preparation, which had focused on content expertise, turned out to have little significance in schools, as they mainly executed teaching to the test. Instead, their role as homeroom teachers, which was concerned with caring and supporting students, was found to have much more significance. Accordingly, they indicated that teacher education must more strongly emphasise preparing teachers for that role, which requires them to become mature, considerate, and autonomous educators. Based on this finding, this study suggests the need for a clearer conception of and emphasis on the subjectification function of teacher education that is grounded in the consideration of the fundamental vision, purpose, and meaning of teacher education in a society.