Functional Skills
Levels 1 and 2
On-screen assessments - the maximum turnaround time is 16 working days from the date you sat your assessment.
The exception to this is where we release a new assessment; the maximum turnaround time in this case is 32 working days to take into account the required awarding process to set the pass mark.
Paper-based assessment- the maximum turnaround time is 27 working days from the date you sat your assessment.
Entry Level
Paper-based assessments at Entry Level are marked by the centre and externally verified by Open Awards. The maximum turnaround time for the confirmation of results is 16 working days from the date that the mark is entered by the centre into XAMS and the required evidence received.
Speaking, Listening and Communicating
At all levels, SLC is assessed by the centre and externally verified by Open Awards. The maximum turnaround time for the confirmation of results is 16 working days from the date that the mark is entered by the centre into XAMS and the required evidence received.
Once confirmed, we will release your functional skills results to your learning / training provider. They will have their own internal procedure for ensuring these are communicated to you. You should check with your learning / training provider how they will inform you of your result.
If you don't agree with the result we issue, a learner or their provider can submit an enquiry about results (EA1 Form) to request an administrative check and/or review of marking. The fees outlined in our pricing information are refunded if the enquiry results in a change to results.
Yes, if you have not passed an assessment you can resit. You will be allocated a different assessment to your first attempt. You should request a resit opportunity through your learning / training provider who will then schedule the assessment with us. Your learning / training provider will inform you of any cost for resitting.
Levels 1 and 2
Pass Marks for Level 1 and 2 English Reading/Writing and Maths assessments vary per assessment version and are set following standardisation and awarding activities.
Each Maths assessment is designed to enable a minimally competent learner to achieve a pass mark of 36 out of 60.
Each English Reading assessment is designed to enable a pass mark of 18 out of 30 and each English Writing assessment is designed to enable a pass mark of 36 out of 60.
However, the awarding process will determine specifically where the pass mark sits for each assessment version. Therefore, the pass mark may vary between assessments.
Entry Level Pass Marks are pre-set as below:
- Entry Level 1 Reading - 8 out of 12
- Entry Level 1 Writing - 19 out of 30
- Entry Level 2 Reading - 10 out of 16
- Entry Level 2 Writing - 22 out of 34
- Entry Level 3 Reading - 12 out of 18
- Entry Level 3 Writing - 24 out of 36
- Entry Level 1 Maths - 16 out of 24
- Entry Level 2 Maths - 19 out of 28
- Entry Level 3 Maths - 24 out of 36
Speaking, Listening and Communicating
SLC is a pass/fail assessment so there is no pass mark. You will need to demonstrate competence against each of the subject content areas to pass the assessment.
In order to take an Open Awards functional skills assessment, you will need to be registered with one of our approved centres. Please contact us to find the most local centre to you on [email protected].
If you have not passed your functional skills assessment, you can resit it. We have a minimum requirement of a 2 week wait from the date your result is released. This is to ensure that you undertake an appropriate programme of learning to support you to pass your resit assessment. Please contact your training / learning provider for support with preparing for your resit.
For Levels 1 and 2, Open Awards offer both online and paper-based assessments. Online assessments are available on-demand and must be scheduled through the XAMS platform 48 hours before the assessment is due to take place. Paper-based assessments are available on a set-day every 6 weeks and must be scheduled through the XAMS platform at least 15 working days before the assessment is due to take place. Paper-based assessments will be posted securely to your centre 2 days before the scheduled date. Please download Calendar here.
For Entry Level qualifications, assessments are available on-demand as paper-based assessments. Assessment must be scheduled on the XAMS platform at least 48 hours before the assessment is due to take place. You will then be able to download the assessment papers for your learners.
All paper-based assessments must be posted securely back to Open Awards Head Office.
There are sample assessments available on our website and additional practice papers are made available to our approved centres. They will be able to provide you with these, along with relevant mark-schemes to support your programme of learning.