What are Key Skills qualifications?

Main key skills and wider key skills

  • Levels 1–4 in the National Qualifications Framework.
  • Key skills are the skills that are commonly needed for success in a range of activities in education and training, work and life in general.
  • The main key skills are:
    • application of number
    • communication
    • information and communication technology
  • The wider key skills are:
    • improving own learning and performance
    • problem solving
    • working with others.
  • National qualifications such as GCSEs and A-levels include key skills requirements. Other students can take key skills qualifications to gain certification of their skill level.

How are Key Skills assessed?

  • In each of the key skills areas, students complete a portfolio of work and take a test.

Key Skills specifications, past papers and support materials.