Functional Skills Sample Assessments

Sample assessment materials

Assessment

The assessments for Functional Skills will require the learner to use their processing skills - each assessment will present the learner with a real life scenario and they will be asked to perform task based, or task and test based assessments and provide responses. This can involve the use of the PC, calculator, dictionary etc. as they would in a work placed scenario, but it will still be conducted in an exam/test environment with invigilation required.

Functional Skills assessments are more task-based and modelled on real life situations and, unlike Key Skills, Functional Skills do not have multiple choice onscreen assessments or a portfolio.

For Entry Level learners are required to pass assessments that are externally set by IMI Awards and internally marked by the centre assessors. All assessment decisions are subject to internal verification and external moderation.

For Levels 1 and 2 maths, ICT and English reading and writing learners are required to pass an externally set and marked assessment. For English speaking, listening and communication will be externally set and internally marked.

The links below show example Functional Skills papers for Entry Level 3 English and Levels 1 and 2 English Reading and Writing, Mathematics and Information and Communication Technology (ICT)  and relevant documentation. Further information can be found under the Functional Skills Qualifications area.

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English

Entry Level 3
Entry Level 3 English - Candidate Paper
                                        - source material

English Reading and Writing at Levels 1 and 2  is available both as on-screen and paper-based assessments.

Level 1 English Reading - sample question paper
                                               - source booklet
                                               - sample marked paper
                                               - commentary for sample marked paper

Level 1 English Writing  - sample question paper
                                            - sample marked paper
                                            - commentary for sample marked paper


Level 2 English Reading - sample question paper
                                              - source booklet
                                              - sample marked paper
                                              - commentary for sample marked paper

Level 2 English Writing  - sample question paper
                                           - sample marked paper
                                           - commentary for sample marked paper

English Speaking, Listening and Communication component is a test of spoken English. The task below can be used for the SLC component or be adapted if the centre wishes to develop their own tasks. Please see Centre Guidance (below) for more details.
Level 1 English SLC - example tasks
Level 1 English SLC - Centre Guidance and Setting Specification (including tasks)
Level 2 English SLC - example tasks  
Level 2 English SLC - Centre Guidance and Setting Specification (including tasks)

Speaking, Listening and Communication  training video links have been designed for Assessor guidance to support the assessment of the SLC component. Assessors will be approved to carry out SLC assessments once IMIAL are satisfied that they have completed the training.

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Mathematics
Mathematics is available both as on-screen and paper-based assessments.

Level 1 Mathematics - sample question paper
                                      - mark scheme
                                      - sample marked paper
                                      - commentary for sample marked paper

Level 2 Mathematics - sample question paper
                                       - mark scheme
                                       - sample marked paper
                                       - commentary for sample marked paper 

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Information and Communication Technology
ICT is a paper-based assessment with tasks carried out using a computer. At each level, the test will consist of:

An initial session (A) with internet access, followed by a short break from the screen.
A longer session (B) with no internet access. Printing can be carried out after the examination.

Level 1 ICT - Section A - sample question paper
                      - Section B - sample question paper
                      - sample question paper - data files  (for Section B question paper)
                      - sample marked paper 
                      - commentary for sample marked paper

Level 2 ICT - Section A - sample question paper
                      - Section B - sample question paper
                      - sample question paper - data files (for Section B question paper)
                      - sample marked paper
                      - commentary for sample marked paper