Functional Skills for Adults

Introduction

Here at Pass Functional Skills, we specialise in courses and exams in maths and English functional skills for adults. With employers and universities putting a stronger emphasis on those applying having a level 2 qualification in maths and English, there has been an increase in the number of adults sitting functional skills exam. Crucially, a level 2 functional skills qualification is equivalent to a grade C/4 at GCSE. Unlike a GCSE, functional skills exams can be sat year round, making them more accessible. We run our functional skills exams Monday to Saturday at a range of different times, so we will be able to find a time to suit you and your busy schedule.

To find out more about functional skills for adults, fill out the form below and one of our support team will be in touch.

Check to see if you are entitled to a free functional skills course by completing the form below:

Preferred time to receive a call*Weekday 9am-5pmWeekday 5-8pmWeekend

Why are you looking to get a functional skills qualification?

Is there anything about you that you would like us to know?

Submit

Functional Skills for Adults Helpline: 020 4574 9155

 

Our Courses and Exams

Maths

Our maths course is designed to prepare you for anything you could be asked on the exam. The maths course is split up into 3 broad sections: using numbers, common measures, shape & space and handling information and data. These sections are broken up further into more specific topics, within the topics there are 3 tasks to work through.

• Revision – Videos walking you through the content in the topic
• Practice Questions – Once you have watched the revision videos, have a go at the practice questions in easy, medium or hard mode.
• Topic Test – Like the practice questions, these are another set of exam-style questions to help you test what you have learnt.

Working through the course is the first thing we recommend you do. After that, have a go at some of the mock exams. You will find a range of different mock exams with some general ones that are cover the overall government specification. In addition, there are more specific exam board mock exams for Open Awards, Edexcel, City & Guilds and NCFE. These mock exams mark themselves, for each question there are written and video solutions. These go over how to answer each question in detail.

Once you are consistently getting 60% on mock exams, you are ready to sit your exam. The exam is two hours long and consists of one paper split into 2 sections: 30 minute non-calculator & 90 minute calculator. The exam is sat at home with one of our online invigilators over a zoom call.

Find out more about our maths functional skills for adults using the links below.

Maths Course

Maths Exam

English

The English course has the content split up into each exam, so you know exactly what you will need to know for each component. Similarly to the maths, the exam sections are split up into more specific topics. All with revision, practice questions and topic tests to help you get to grips with the key concepts. Working through all these will help you prepare as best you can for your exam.

Additionally, we have recently incorporated AI marking into our mock exams. This then means that your answers are automatically marked for you, this is especially useful for long-answer questions that can be hard to mark. When you do this you will be told which marking criteria you have hit to help you see gaps.

Once you are confident with the material and consistently getting above 60% in the mocks, you are ready to sit your exam. There are 3 exams that make up the English qualification: reading, writing and SLC (speaking, listening and communicating). The reading and writing exams are an hour each, typically sat back to back in a two hour slot. The SLC is then sat on a separate day, to find out more about the SLC watch the video below.

You must pass all 3 exam components in order to receive your certificate. Once you have passed everything you will receive an e-certificate which is accepted by universities, the physical certificate will follow in the post.

Use the links below to find out about English functional skills for adults.

English Course

English Exam

Why take Functional Skills?

Functional Skills are a great option in the UK education and job market for several reasons:

• Real-World Skills. They focus on essential English and Maths, helping learners apply what they’ve learned to real-life situations. This is useful both at work and in daily life.
• Flexible Options. With levels ranging from Entry Level to Level 2, Functional Skills cater to a wide range of learners. You can brush up on basics or aim for GCSE-equivalent qualifications.
• Career and Education Progression. These qualifications can lead to further education, apprenticeships, or job opportunities, with Level 2 often being a requirement for many employers and universities.
• Job-Ready Skills. They focus on the key skills needed in today’s workplace, like problem-solving, communication, and numeracy, making learners more prepared for the world of work.
• Inclusive Learning. Functional Skills offer a more accessible, practical alternative to GCSEs, especially for adults or those who prefer learning through hands-on experiences.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Functional Skills?

Functional Skills qualifications in maths and English help learners build vital numeracy and literacy skills. Notably, Level 2 Functional Skills are equivalent to GCSEs. Many individuals pursue the Level 2 exams to gain university entry or enhance their employment prospects.

Are Functional Skills for Adults?

Functional Skills qualifications are designed to help both young people and adults develop essential skills in Maths and English, enabling them to apply these skills in employment and daily life.

Will my employer accept this qualification?

Our exams are regulated by Ofqual, ensuring they are universally recognised as Level 2 qualifications, equivalent to a GCSE grade C/4. Whether your employer will accept these qualifications is up to them, however, most organisations and education institutions do accept Functional Skills.

Are their entry requirements for Functional Skills for Adults?

There are no entry prerequisites for this qualification, and no minimum age requirement is set for registration.