Edexcel Functional Skills results explained for students

Find out more about your Functional Skills results, and read the answers to some frequently asked questions.

Important dates

Results released	Certificates sent to schools and colleges:
Within 28 days of your onscreen test Within 28 days of receipt of your completed paper based on demand test	Within 2 weeks of your results day

Results released

Certificates sent to schools and colleges:

Within 28 days of your onscreen test

Within 28 days of receipt of your completed paper based on demand test

Within 2 weeks of your results day

How are Edexcel Functional Skills marked?

Edexcel Functional Skills qualifications are available at Entry level 1-3, Level 1 and Level 2 in English, Mathematics and ICT. Our Edexcel Entry level Functional Skills qualifications are assessed on demand by your teacher and results are externally verified by us. We assess our Edexcel Level 1 and 2 Functional Skills qualifications using computer-based tests or paper-based exams.

Edexcel Level 1 and 2 Functional Skills English

Our Edexcel Level 1 and Level 2 Functional Skills English qualifications are broken down into 3 units which can be completed at different times throughout your course. You'll receive a Pass (P) or Unclassified (U) for each unit and then, when you've passed all three units, you'll receive a certificate.

Each unit tests a different skill and is assessed in a different way:

Unit	Assessment
Unit 1: Speaking, Listening and Communication	Assessed by your teacher
Unit 2: Reading	Assessed by either a paper-based exam or onscreen, on-demand test
Unit 3: Writing	Assessed by either a paper-based exam or onscreen, on-demand test

To achieve an overall Pass for our Edexcel Functional Skills English qualifications you need to obtain a Pass in each of the three units at or above the level you are studying. If you don't achieve a Pass in a unit the first time around, you can resit that component, carrying forward any passing grades in other units.

Edexcel Level 1 and 2 Functional Skills ICT

Our Edexcel Level 1 and Level 2 Functional Skills ICT qualifications are assessed by a single paper-based test at each level, which is completed at a computer. You'll be issued a Pass (P) or Unclassified (U) based on your performance in the test. If you don't meet the criteria to obtain a Pass the first time around, you can resit the test.

Edexcel Level 1 and 2 Functional Skills Mathematics

Our Edexcel Level 1 and Level 2 Functional Skills Mathematics qualifications are assessed by a single paper-based or onscreen, on-demand exam at each level. You'll be issued a Pass (P) or Unclassified (U) based on your performance in the exam. If you don't meet the criteria to obtain a Pass the first time around, you can resit the exam.

Frequently asked questions

How does my Edexcel Functional Skills qualification compare to a GCSE?

Our Edexcel Functional Skills qualifications are often compared to GCSEs. Rough equivalencies can be found in the table below.

Level	Equivalent
Entry Level	Achievement is below GCSE level
Level 1	Achievement is equivalent to Grade 3 GCSE
Level 2	Achievement is equivalent to Grade 4 GCSE

If you are using your Functional Skills qualification to help you to get a job or to continue studying, it will be up to the employer or the school, college or training provider to judge whether your qualification meets their requirements.

Can you take personal circumstances into account when calculating my grade?

Sometimes illness, injury or other personal circumstances can affect your performance during an assessment. In these cases, it may be possible to issue you with a calculated result or extra marks. This is referred to as ‘special consideration'.

If you think you may be entitled to special consideration, you should speak to the exams officer at your school or college. They’ll need to make a request on your behalf and send us any supporting documents to help us make a decision.

Special consideration isn’t shown on the statement of results you’re given by your school or college but is indicated on ResultsPlus Direct by a flag. If you don’t have access to ResultsPlus Direct, you’ll need to check with your exams officer whether special consideration has been applied.

Find out more about special consideration

Some of my personal details are incorrect on my results slip. What can I do?

We can correct errors such as misspelled names very quickly but you need to speak to the exams officer at your school or college to request any changes.

These requests must come from someone at your centre as we have no way of identifying students who call or email us. If we can’t identify you, we can’t make changes to confidential information.

Understanding marks and grades

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Edexcel Functional Skills results explained