Functional Skills English Level 1 Online Exam
Functional Skills English Level 1 Online Exam
Sit an Ofqual-approved Functional Skills English Level 1 Exam with Pass Functional Skills. All of our Exams are Online with Expert Invigilators and Fast Track Results. Register Today!
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Functional Skills English Level 1 Online Exam - Fast Track Results
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The UK's Number 1 Course - Highest Pass Rates
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Take Your Exam At Home - Use your Laptop or PC
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Official Ofqual-Regulated Exams
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Free Component Resit With the Exam & Online Course Bundle
Now available online.
Spread the cost over up to 6 months
Got a question?
We'd love to talk about how we can help you.
93%
of students pass their exam when completing the Pass Functional Skills Course.*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
How does the booking process work?
The Functional Skills English Level 1 qualification is recognised and accepted by employers, colleges, and universities throughout the UK.
What’s even better? You can take the exam online, from the comfort of your home, using your laptop or computer. It’s flexible, convenient, and works around your schedule.
You’ll be registered with a trusted, government-approved exam board like Open Awards, TQUK, or City & Guilds.
Choose invigilation type
Choose between a real human invigilator or an automated system
Choose your exam date
Pick your exam date – even as soon as tomorrow!
Sit your exam from home
The exam is sat online, in the comfort of your own home
Get your results in as little as 1 working day
Delivered direct to you, straight to your email inbox
Get your certificate by email
Once you pass, your digital certificate will be with you within 24 hours.
Take the next step in your career
Go into NHS, teaching, social care, trades, admin, retail and more!
1. Choose human or automated invigilation
You can choose between two invigilation options for your English level 1 Functional Skills exam depending on your confidence with technology and result speed preferences:
Human Invigilation
Best option for learners who are less confident with technology
1-1 Zoom Video Call with a Human
Guided setup by the examiner
PC, Laptop, Mac and Chromebook allowed
Exam Slots Available Monday-Saturday
Book in as early as tomorrow
Results in 6–16 working days
Automated Invigilation
Best option for learners who are capable with technology
Self-guided setup through exam software
Available 24/7 – take your exam anytime
PC or Laptop - No Mac or Chromebooks allowed
Cheaper option
Book in as early as tomorrow
Results in 1–6 working days
2. Book your date
Choosing a date for your Functional Skills English level 1 online exam is easy and flexible, with multiple options available.
Options for choosing a date:
Take your exam as early as the next working day
Book in advance for cheaper prices
Book now, choose date later for ultimate date flexibility – secure your place and choose your date when you feel ready
Choose exam only, or add the course to join the 93% of people who pass when they complete our course - plus get a free component resit for peace of mind!
3. Sit your exam online, from home
The Functional Skills English Level 1 Online Exams can be taken from the comfort of your home. The exams are divided into three sections: reading, writing, and speaking, listening, and communication (SLC). The reading and writing exams each last 1 hour and are taken one after the other in a 2-hour session. The SLC exam is scheduled for a separate day, where you will join other learners in a group video call. The pass mark can differ depending on the difficulty of the paper and may vary between exam boards.
Sections of the exam:
Reading
Total time: 1 hour (followed by the writing section)
Writing
Total time: 1 hour (sat after the reading section)
SLC
Total time: 1 hour (sat on a different day with other learners)
Areas of Study
Reading
Analysing texts and navigating sources
Writing
Grammar, punctuation, and clarity in writing
SLC
Speaking, listening and communicating
Technical Requirements
A suitable computer
Laptop/Desktop Microsoft Windows or Mac. Using your mobile phone or tablet is not allowed.
Webcam & Microphone
This equipment is usually built into your laptop but be purchased cheaply if required.
Zoom Desktop App (Human Invigilation Only)
Ensure this application is downloaded to your computer, installed and you are signed in. (This is for human invigilation only)
Wi-Fi connection (10Mbit+)
Minimum: 1 Mbit Upload, 10Mbit Download. (Hotspots, Mobile or otherwise are not allowed)
Entry Requirements
No entry requirements!
There are no entry requirements for this qualification. All you will need is access to a computer and a stable internet connection. For those who need reasonable exam adjustment, please allow at least 20 working days for this to be applied to your exam.
4. Get your results via email
You won’t be waiting long! You won’t have to wait long! Your results will be sent directly to your email inbox within just 1 working day.
Human Invigilation
You'll get your results in: 6 - 16 working days
Automated Invigilation
You'll get your results in: 1 - 6 working days
5. Get your certificate by email
Once you pass, your digital Functional Skills English Level 1 certificate will be emailed to you within 24 hours of your results.
Certificate Details
Issued by your awarding body (Open Awards, TQUK, or City & Guilds)
Accepted all across the UK
Order a paper certificate if you prefer a physical copy
6. Further your career. It all starts with a Pass.
This Functional Skills English level 1 qualification unlocks career and education opportunities.
NHS Jobs
Start a rewarding career in the NHS.
Teaching
Train and inspire others as a teacher.
Social Care
Make a real difference in social care.
Admin
Build key skills with admin roles.
Apprenticeships
Earn, learn and grow through apprenticeships.
A Levels
Open up future pathways with A Levels.
University
Start your journey into higher education.
Many More...
Explore a wide range of options unlocked with Functional Skills.
How can the UK's best course help you pass?
Our market-leading course is built to get you that all-important Pass. Find out how below.
Find Your Level
Find Topics to Improve
Videos, Questions and Tests
AI Marked Mock Exams
Track Your Progress
24/7 access, 100% online
Find your level
Initial Assessment
Start with our Functional Skills English Initial Assessment. It’s a quick and simple test that shows your current level. Based on your results, we’ll recommend the best course for you. The test includes different types of questions on key English topics, giving you a clear idea of your strengths and areas to improve.
Find topics to improve
Subject Knowledge Assessment
When you start the Functional Skills English Level 1 Online Course, you'll take a quick Subject Knowledge Assessment. This will help you see what parts of English you’re good at and what you need to work on. Afterward, you'll get a list of topics to focus on, making it easier to plan your revision and pass the exam.
Video Tutorials
Learn Each Topic Step by Step
Each topic comes with a clear, easy-to-follow video. Our expert English tutors explain everything in simple terms and guide you through examples to help boost your confidence.
Practice Questions
Get ready for exam questions
After watching each video, test yourself with quick practice questions. These multiple-choice quizzes are perfect for checking your understanding of the material.
Topic Tests
Learn Each Topic Step by Step
Each topic also includes an exam-style test, giving you the opportunity to practise answering questions like those in the real exam. It’s a great way to apply what you've learned and see if you’re ready to move on.
AI Mock Exams
Real Exam Practice
The course includes several online mock exams that are similar to the real Functional Skills English Level 1 test. You can complete them at your own pace, with no time limits, and get instant feedback to see what you did well and where you can improve. These mock exams are a great way to build your confidence and make sure you're ready for the real exam.
Smart Progress Tracking
Stay on track
As you go through the course, our system tracks your progress. It shows how much you've completed, how well you're doing in each topic, and your average scores on practice questions and tests. This helps you see where you're improving and know when you're ready for the exam.
Learn from anywhere
100% Online
The whole course is online, so you can study from anywhere with an internet connection.
24/7 Access
You can access all your course materials anytime, day or night, to study when it fits your schedule.
50 Recommended Hours
The recommended study time for the course is about 50 hours, but it’s flexible. You can go at your own pace, with no deadlines, and take as much time as you need to feel ready.
Initial Assessment
Subject Knowledge Assessment
Multimedia Learning Resources
AI Mock Exams
Progress Tracking
Online Delivery
FAQs
The most common questions about the Functional Skills English Level 1 Exam, answered.
- One Level 1 Functional Skills English Reading Online Exam
- One Level 1 Functional Skills English Writing Online Exam
- One Level 1 Functional Skills English Speaking, Listening and Communicating (SLC) Online Exam
- Registration with your chosen exam board
- Free resit with the course + exam option
- A laptop or desktop (Windows or Mac)
- A Working webcam and microphone
- Zoom (if using human invigilation)
- Stable internet: 1 Mbps upload / 10 Mbps download
- Quiet room where no one can enter during the exam
- Valid photo ID
- Dictionaries are allowed (for reading exams only)
- Let us know 20 working days in advance if you need reasonable adjustments
The Functional Skills English Level 1 qualification you earn after passing our online exam is Ofqual-approved. This means it is an official certification recognised by the UK government and is widely accepted by universities, colleges, and employers across the UK.
Once you’ve booked your Level 1 English exam online, you can select a date that works best for you and take the Functional Skills English Level 1 online test with just 1 day’s notice. Usually, you’ll find lower exam prices if you book in advance, much like booking a holiday.
The resit is free for one of the 3 components if you have selected the ‘exam & course’ option. If you have chosen the ‘exam only’ option, our resit support team will contact you to assist with booking a resit, but there will be a fee to retake the Functional Skills English Level 1 online exam.
Please view our refund terms and conditions.
We provide fast-track results for the Functional Skills English Level 1 exam. Typically, your results will be delivered within 1-6 working days for TQUK or 6-16 working days for Open Awards. You’ll receive your results by email, and if you pass, a Functional Skills digital certificate will be sent shortly after.
The Functional Skills English Level 1 qualification is recognised by all training providers, employers, colleges and universities, but is not equivalent to a GCSE. If you need a GCSE equivalent, then you will need a Functional Skills English level 2 qualification which is the next level up.
The pass mark for each paper may vary, as some can be more challenging than others. Generally, the harder the paper, the lower the pass mark, to balance out the increased difficulty.
The Functional Skills English exam is divided into three sections: Reading, Writing, and Speaking, Listening, and Communicating (SLC).
The reading and writing exams are each 1 hour long and are taken after each other in a 2-hour slot.
The SLC exam is taken on a separate day, in a group with other learners, via a video call.
Yes, we do everything we can to ensure learners have the reasonable adjustments they need. The exam board requires 20 working days notice in order to process this.
However, we strongly recommend opting for the exam & course bundle, as it provides access to the best Functional Skills course, with a 94% pass rate for those who complete it, and includes a free component resit for added peace of mind.
We recommend choosing either TQUK or Open Awards in the selection at the top of this page, as these provide the best exam experience.
However, if you are wanting to book in your exam with City & Guilds, then email in to help@passfunctionalskills.co.uk or call 020 4575 9155 and we will get you booked in!
Yes you are able to take your level 2 English straight after your level 1 if you wish. After completing their level 1, some people do feel confident enough to go straight into level 2 as they cover similar topics.
Rating breakdown
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5 stars15
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4 stars3
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3 stars1
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2 stars0
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1 stars0
Highly rated for:
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Good service that helped me to get ready for the level 1 test and give me confidence to move onto level 2 exam
good service and supportive email and phone support
Helped with my home schooled son who is looking to work up to level 2
Good help provided for students with a low ability
Nice people and tests
Helped our learners book and understand the exam process.
I found the support staff very helpful
I was not confident in this exam at all but they helped to calm my nerves. I can move onto the level 2 English now.
Thoughtful staff and genuine service
The speaking exam was easy, reading okay and writing a little tricky but managed to pass it