Functional Skills English Level 1
Functional Skills English level 1 is the Ofqual-regulated step before level 2, covering reading, writing, and speaking, listening and communicating. Use the free revision, worksheets and practice questions on this page, then sit the exam online from home when you're ready.
93%
of students pass their exam when completing the Pass Functional Skills Course.*
Our Pass Rates
Pass Functional Skills has much higher
pass rates than
other providers*
*Based on maths level 2 pass rates using data from the largest exam
provider,
Pearson for 2023/2024 vs data taken from
5399 Pass Functional Skills Maths Level 2 exam sittings
Book your Functional Skills English Level 1 exam
Sit the Ofqual-regulated exam online from home. Here is what you get:
Registration with TQUK or Open Awards (City & Guilds on request)
Results in 2-6 working days with TQUK, or 6-16 working days with Open Awards
Your digital certificate within 2 working days of passing
Exam only
£223.20
Next available exam: as soon as tomorrow
Book the Functional Skills English level 1 examWant to revise first? Take the Functional Skills English level 1 course before your exam.
Need computer skills too? See Digital Functional Skills.
What is Functional Skills English Level 1?
Functional Skills English Level 1 is an Ofqual-regulated English qualification that shows you can read, write and communicate clearly at work and in everyday life. It is used for jobs, apprenticeships and college courses, and it is the step before Functional Skills English level 2, the GCSE grade 4 (C) equivalent.
It has three parts, and you need to pass all three: reading, writing, and speaking, listening and communicating. The reading and writing exams are an hour each, sat one after the other, and the speaking, listening and communicating assessment is sat on a different day with other learners. There are no entry requirements, and you can sit it online from home, with results in as little as 2 working days. This page has free revision, worksheets and practice papers to help you prepare.
Revise English Level 1 Topics
Over 30 dedicated topic pages, with videos questions, worksheets and more.
View Topic ListEnglish Level 1 Past Papers
Access free functional skills English level 1 practice tests PDFs
View Past PapersFree English Test
Take a free Assessment to determine which topics you need to improve on.
Enrol NowFunctional Skills English Level 1
Functional Skills English Level 1
Why Do Writers Write?
ReadingText Types
ReadingDetecting Language Techniques
ReadingPresentational Features
ReadingKey and Detailed Points
ReadingInvestigating Layout
ReadingFact or Opinion?
ReadingInvestigating Image
ReadingMeaning
ReadingSpecialist Words
ReadingStyles of Writing and Voice
ReadingComparing Texts
ReadingThe Exam
ReadingAssessing the Basics
WritingPerfecting Your Punctuation
WritingGrammar
WritingSpelling
WritingLinking up Your Answer
WritingForm, Presentational and Language Features
WritingCommon Mistakes
WritingPlanning Your Answer
WritingCommunicating
WritingFantastic Finalising
WritingThe Exam
WritingLine of Argument and Narratives
SLCResponding
SLCAdapting
SLCAsking
SLCCommunicating
SLCContributing
SLCExtracting Information
SLCYour Turn!
SLCThe Exam
SLCFree Mock Exam
Functional Skills English Tutor Resources
Functional Skills English Level 1 FAQs
How much is the Functional Skills English level 1 exam?
The online exam costs £223.20. You can book the exam on its own, or with our Functional Skills English level 1 online course if you want to revise first. The Premium Bundle also includes a free resit.
How long do Functional Skills English level 1 results take?
Results take 2-6 working days with TQUK (remote invigilation), or 6-16 working days with Open Awards (live invigilator). Your results are sent by email, and if you pass, your digital certificate follows within 2 working days.
What are the three parts of Functional Skills English level 1?
Reading, writing, and speaking, listening and communicating (SLC). The reading and writing exams are an hour each and are sat one after the other. The SLC assessment is sat on a different day with other learners. You need to pass all three to get the qualification.
Can I sit the Functional Skills English level 1 exam at home?
Yes. You sit it online from home on a computer with a webcam and microphone, watched by an online invigilator. You can choose TQUK or Open Awards (City & Guilds on request), there are no entry requirements, and the next available exam can be as soon as tomorrow.
What comes after Functional Skills English level 1?
Functional Skills English level 2. Level 1 is not a GCSE equivalent, but level 2 is accepted by employers, colleges and most universities in place of a GCSE grade 4 (C). Many learners pass level 1 first, then move on to level 2.
