Modules

Functional Skills English includes our "Exam preparation" course which explains everything you need to know about taking your exam online. 

Included is one exam - taken on the exam board's secure website - which tests your English skills. There are two exams and an an assessment:

• Reading – This exam will test you on your ability to read for information, including looking at biased pieces of work and will help you to work out how much the opinions of certain authors can be trusted. It also tests you on the different types of layout features and how these can impact the reader.

• Writing – This exam will assess your writing ability on a variety of ways to write certain pieces. This may include letters, newspaper articles, emails and blogs amongst others. This exam will also test your spelling, punctuation and grammar skills. 

• Speaking, Listening and Communicating â€“ An important element of the English is speaking, listening and communicating (SLC). The Functional Skills English qualification includes an assessment on SLC, assessing your skills in the various ways SLC is used on a daily basis. This assessment will be in a group situation.

Requirements

Great news! There are no entry requirements for the course. All you need for your learning is access to a computer or tablet and an internet connection. For your exam, you can attend one of our centres, or you can access the exam from home.

Equipment requirements:

For you to sit a remotely invigilated assessment, you’ll need the following equipment/environment:

• Laptop/desktop with webcam and microphone (Microsoft Windows or a Mac, Chromebooks cannot be used)

• Wi-Fi connection (Min 1Mbit/s upload | Min 10Mbit/s download)

• Smartphone or tablet (Apple iOS 8.0 / Android 4.1 or higher)

• Suitable test environment (quiet room with no distractions).

Your laptop/desktop will run the assessment software and your smartphone or tablet will be used to record you and the assessment. The assessment itself cannot be sat on a smartphone or tablet.

Laptop/desktop requirements:

You’ll need to have access to a laptop/desktop that has the following set up:

• Broadband speed/bandwidth: - Minimum 1Mbit/s upload speed - recommended upload speed is 1.5Mbit/s - Minimum 10Mbit/s download speed - Tethering via a mobile phone is not supported. Tip: You could try connecting your computer directly to your Wi-Fi router using an ethernet cable to improve and/or guarantee your connection. You can test your broadband speed/bandwidth here: https://www.speedtest.net/  The operating systems supported are Windows 8 or higher, and MAC OS X (latest and previous releases). Chromebooks are not supported therefore shouldn’t be used.

ʉۢ Wi-Fi connection Рyou should be positioned where the signal is strongest

• Web browser – you’ll need the latest version of Google Chrome

• Webcam required – maximum resolution of 1280 x 720

• Microphone required

• Audio required

• If possible, turn off any updates on devices

• Ensure that your laptop/desktop is plugged in for the duration of the assessment

Note: Attempting to use a laptop or device that is intended for work purposes may have restricted access and admin rights installed. This may cause issues when trying to access the ProctorExam platform and therefore it is recommended that you use a personal laptop or device.

Mobile devices:

You’ll need a smartphone or tablet on which you’ll need to download the ProctorExam app. You can download the app by accessing the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the App Store (iOS (Apple) devices) and searching for ProctorExam. Our instructions for downloading the app will be provided during the system check process once your assessment is booked. Specifications for downloading and running the app are:

• Android 4.1 or higher / iOS (Apple) 8.0 or higher

• Video resolution must be minimum 800 x 600 px

• Ensure you can connect to Wi-Fi – so you don’t use up your data

• Ensure your mobile device can be plugged in for the duration of your assessment.

Please note that the Google Pixel series of phones are currently unsupported due to issues with blurring within the ProctorExam application.

Assessment

Once you’re ready to book your exam, please contact upskilluk@learndirect.com.

Exams are available 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Speaking, Listening and Communicating assessments are held on Friday mornings.

You must have a quiet room where you will not be disturbed. We will invigilate your exam using online classroom technology.

All instalment plans must be paid and up to date before an exam can be booked. In addition, exams cannot be booked for dates before the final payment is successfully made. For example, if two monthly payments are due in the future, an exam can be booked, but the exam date will be after the final payment is received.

Qualifications

NCFE

For our functional skills qualifications and certification we work with NCFE.

NCFE is a national Awarding Organisation, passionate about designing, developing and certificating diverse, nationally recognised qualifications and awards. These qualifications contribute to the success of millions of learners at all levels, bringing them closer to fulfilling their personal goals. Last year alone, over 340,000 learners from over 2,000 colleges, schools and training organisations chose NCFE as the Awarding Organisation to help them move their careers forward.

NCFE is a registered educational charity and has a strong heritage in learning, going back over 150 years. With a buzz that sets it apart, NCFE is proud to be recognised for its exceptional customer service and friendly approach. We're a values based company and our values are at the heart of everything we do.

NCFE’s extensive product catalogue includes a wide range of general and vocationally related qualifications in a variety of subject areas, as well as Competence Based qualifications/NVQs, and Functional Skills qualifications.

NCFE is recognised as an Awarding Organisation by the qualification regulators ('regulators') for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The regulators are the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) in England, the Welsh Government in Wales and the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA Regulation) in Northern Ireland.

Functional Skills English can help you to develop your career or even to find that job you’ve always wanted. Many employers now look for a level 2 qualification in English before they consider hiring a candidate for a job. Gaining this qualification could be just what you need to give you that boost against the other people applying for the position.

English is also really beneficial for your day to day life skills. You can write a letter to a company if you need to complain or send an email without worrying if your grammar is correct. You can even practice your skills when in a group conversation.

Functional Skills English is also great if you want to help your children with their homework, you’ll learn how to help them get the right answer.

Functional Skills English can even give you the skills you need to go to university. Many universities now have an entry requirement of a level 2 in English, gaining this could be your ticket to studying your degree. You need to check with the university that they accept Functional Skills English before starting your course.