Frequently Asked Questions

For an introduction to Functional Skills qualifications, see About Functional Skills.

You’ll find an explanation of how Functional Skills are assessed on the About Functional Skills page.

Learners can resit the tests as many times as required. You’ll have to make a new entry each time for Level 1 and 2.

At Entry Level there are three sets of assessments per level for each subject. If a learner does not pass their assessment, they may sit the alternative test, providing there is a gap of at least 14 days. 

Results for external Functional Skills assessments take a maximum of 20 working days. On average, 95% of our assessments are marked in under 10 working days.

You can find general information on making vocational registrations here.

You’ll find more specific details in the Functional Skills section of the Information Manual.  

Test entries only apply to Levels 1 and 2 – you don’t need to make test entries at Entry Level.

You can make entries for the paper-based sessions without late fees up to 3 weeks before the test date. You can make entries for the onscreen tests and ICT on-demand tests up to 2 hours before you wish to sit the test, provided learners’ details are already registered.

You can access the live assessments once you’ve registered learners. You’ll find them in the secure section of the Edexcel website. To access these assessments you’ll need your Edexcel Online username and password.

You can find details of Functional Skills fees on our fees page.

All resits require marking, and are therefore chargeable at Level 1 and 2. Entry Level resits are free, as a registration is only closed after claiming a certificate.

For details of how to apply for special consideration, see the special consideration page.

There are no set age limits for taking Functional Skills tests, but do consider learners’ maturity and their readiness for assessment when entering them for these tests. Formative assessments by your centre should inform your decision on the level it would be appropriate to enter learners for.

They will not be the same for every paper. The papers are awarded (that is, the pass marks are set) by senior examiners for every series. This awarding process takes into account the Functional Skills standards and learner performance on that particular paper.

There are no proxies for Functional Skills. However, for Apprenticeship learners there are alternative qualifications. Please see the Specification for Apprenticeship Standards in England (SASE) on the Apprenticeships website.

Where centres and/or students are dissatisfied with a decision relating to the awarding of a result there is an opportunity to appeal. This guidance provides information on how to appeal a decision.

Functional Skills Appeals 2023-24 1.1 MB pdf /content/dam/pdf/Functional-skills/reform/fs-appeals-2023-24.pdf false 2024-06-07T11:06:23.366Z

Functional Skills Appeals 2023-24 (PDF | 1.1 MB)

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Five years.

Functional Skills are not part of our bundled frameworks.

Pearson does not charge for registration for Levels 1 and 2, so this will not be an issue.

The learners are registered on specific levels, so you will need to claim and then re-register.

Yes, you can, if a learner needs it to be split.

Yes, they can.

The reason why we ask centres to print the live assessments (including mark schemes) each time that a cohort of learner sit the tests is because Pearson need to ensure that should we make any changes on the live assessments during the academic year (and this has happened in the past), centres use the most updated version of the materials. Although we communicate with centres when changes are done on the materials, there is a risk that communication does not reach the right member of the staff at your centre. If this is the case, potentially you would be using an outdated mark scheme and disadvantaging your candidates.

No, we have rules in place within our ICE document which should cover this scenario for the movement of test papers between sites or buildings within a centre.

No, they do not. We have a number of live papers in use at any one time, so there is no guarantee that they will be sitting the same paper as their peers.

Late arrivals' is not applicable for on-demand assessments. Tests are booked for a specific date and can be taken at any time on that date. You must be clear on when a learner starts and finishes each section and you need to manage that process in the most effective way within your centre. This may mean only allowing the learner to take the test after all other learners have finished or, if you are able to manage it effectively, allowing the learner to start as soon as they arrive. In either situation, you must be able to manage the distribution process of each section, as well as the calculator when required, ensure the learners are given the correct amount of time for each section and they do not have access to a calculator for the non-calculator section.

Yes, it can.

Learners can only use a thesaurus, if they require one, on the reading papers

The extra time will be split equally, i.e. a learner will get their additional percentage time on both sections.

For centres with 1-100 learners registered, a sample of 6 scripts per unit (Maths, Reading, Writing, SLC) across all levels (E1, E2, E3) make up the annual sample.

If the centre is delivering both maths and English, the total number of scripts for a full sample is 24. For centres with 101+ learners registered, a sample of 10 scripts per unit (Maths, Reading, Writing, SLC) across all levels (E1, E2, E3) make up the annual sample.

If the centre is delivering both maths and English, the total number of scripts for a full sample is 40.

Full guidance is available below:

> Centre Guide to Quality Assurance | Entry Level Functional Skills

Yes it does.

Yes, it is.

No, they don't.

Supervised rest breaks are allowed. Please refer to the JCQ guidelines.

They would revert to set 1.

Those available in September are live throughout the year.

No, these papers will remain live.

Yes, it does.

Yes, they can.

Yes, you can

Full information about modified paper is available here: 

• Modified Papers

This includes the form for requesting a paper. Modified tests need to be ordered ten weeks in advance.

No, you do not. 

The learners will be allowed dictionaries for the full reading assessment.

Yes, it does.

Yes, they can.

25% can be added via EOL. In terms of timings, that 25% will be added to both sections.

No, it is run on the same version of POP as the practice tests.

Yes, we do. The Entry Level videos are available on our Course Materials page, and the Level 1 and 2 videos are part of the OSCA process. You will need an EdexcelOnline account to access these resources.

Yes, we do. The Entry Level paperwork, and the Level 1 and 2 paperwork are available on our Course Materials page here.

The word versions of the Speaking, Listening and Communicating paperwork are available on our Course Materials page.

Due to changes in the Ofqual requirements, each centre will now be moderated each year. This will either be through a face to face or a remote visit. Your Standards Verifier will inform you.

You will receive an annual visit which will cover all of Entry Level Functional Skills.

A Standards Verifier will be allocated to your centre before Christmas. They will usually contact you in the new year to arrange a remote visit.

Visits usually take place between February and June, depending on the availability of live assessment material. If you need a visit before this, then you may request one by contacting the assessment team. The visit must take place before the end of July.

The Standards Verifier will inform you of everything you will need. This will include: - Assessment Record Sheets - Videos of live assessments (audio recordings not accepted) - Evidence of internal verification and standardisation - Lead IV feedback. Please refer to QA Handbook.

When your Standards Verifier contacts you they will provide a list of what they need to see. This will include videos of assessments as well as live assessments on the day (if possible), Assessment Record Sheets including evidence of internal verification, information on learner recruitment, induction and tracking and review of testing facilities and test delivery.

No.

For Levels 1 and 2, we need to see three short talks/presentations and one discussion per level.For Entry Level we need to see two Entry 1 recordings and one each from Entry 2 and Entry 3.These can be in the form of a video, but the preference is for live assessments.

It depends. For face-to-face assessments only a sample have to be videoed and so it would be possible not to video the activity (provided that it wasn't the only assessment). We require all remote assessments to be videoed and so the centre would have to apply for an exemption.

Yes, you can. Please ensure that these calls are recorded.

As the tasks are different for each level, we do not recommend this.

If it is their usual way of working, yes they can.

You can access the live assessments once you’ve registered learners. You’ll find them in the secure section of the Edexcel website. To access these assessments you’ll need your Edexcel Online username and password.

When your Standards Verifier contacts you they will provide a list of what they need to see. This will include videos of assessments as well as live assessments on the day (if possible), Assessment Record Sheets including evidence of internal verification, information on learner recruitment, induction and tracking and review of testing facilities and test delivery.

You will receive an annual visit which will cover all of Entry Level Functional Skills.

A Standards Verifier will be allocated to your centre before Christmas. They will usually contact you in the new year to arrange a remote visit.

Visits usually take place between February and June, depending on the availability of live assessment material. If you need a visit before this, then you may request one by contacting the assessment team. The visit must take place before the end of July.

There is no specific IV paperwork. The IV signs the bottom of the assessor paperwork.

Yes, it is.

Yes, you can. 

If this happens, the learner can retake the first assessment they took. We strongly recommend that suitable teaching and learning takes place before this.

Yes, it can.

Learners can only use a thesaurus, if they require one, on the reading papers.

No, they do not.

Yes they can.

The learners are allowed to use a scientific calculator on the calculator sections. The only exemption to this is on the remotely invigilated assessments where the learners must use the onscreen calculator. We do recommend using the onscreen calculator on all our onscreen assessments as the copy to working button helps reduce transcription errors.

Learners are not allowed to use a programmable calculator.