Functional Skills

Functional skills are those core elements of English, Mathematics and ICT that provide an individual with the essential knowledge, skills and understanding that will enable them to operate confidently, effectively and independently in life and at work.

Functional Skills Assessments are:

·  Designed to measure the competent application of skills within real life scenarios

·  Task based, or task and test based

·  Usually externally set but may provide for internal task based assessments

·  Subject to rigorous quality assurance, students must be registered at the right level

Functional Skills Assessment are now on-demand. Results however are not on-demand and results release dates are available here. 

Please use the links below for information on:

- How to schedule and take on-screen FS assessments

- Functional Skills results release dates 2012

- Transition arrangements

- Funding 

- Sample Assessment Material including English Entry Level 3
  (updated January 2012)

- Example on-screen assessments (screen shots)

- Procedures for conducting a Paper Based Assessement

- Criteria for Functional Skills qualifications

- Questions and Answers

- Useful links and resources

Practice On-screen Assessments

Practice on-screen assessments for Maths,  English Reading and English Writing are available free of charge for Centres. These will help learners to prepare for taking their assessments using our on-screen system.

Click here to access and run practice on-screen assessments for Functional Skills

To access practice FS ICT papers please use the links below:
(updated January 2012

Speaking, Listening and Communication (SLC) Standardisation Video Clips

For anyone involved in the preparation or assessment of candidates in the Speaking, Listening and Communication (SLC) component of Functional Skills English at Level 1 and/or Level 2. Before carrying out any live assessments of your candidates, in order to ensure consistent assessment to national standards, staff who are going to be involved in assessing are required to view and complete documentation & video clips which can be found here 

Speaking, Listening and Communication Internal Assessment available here

Functional Skills press release

Functional Skills relates to England only. The equivalents are Essential Skills in Wales, Core Skills in Scotland and Essential Skills in Northern Ireland.