Assessment of functional skills



We are piloting the following assessment models for functional skills.

English

Multiple choice responses to reading a range of non-literary and media texts, task testing writing to inform/persuade and Speaking and Listening (internal assessment).

English key materials

Mathematics

Level 1 – a single assessment split into two sections taken at the same sitting:

  • Section A Functionality task(s) – calculator allowed
  • Section B Competency test – non-calculator

Level 2 – two question papers taken at different times but, presently, both must be taken in the same series

  • Paper 1 Competency test – non-calculator
  • Paper 2 Functionality task(s) – calculator allowed

The functional Mathematics pilot is being taken forward within the AQA 14 – 19 Curriculum Pathways Project. See the specimen material, specification and teachers' guide.

ICT

A test which will comprises several question types including multiple choice, sentence completion, matching pairs, ordering and searching and a task, completed on-screen, modelled along the lines of the Key Skills Level 3 external assessment.

ICT key materials


On-screen assessment from summer 2008

English – reading available as an option – there will be no on-screen version of the writing test for the foreseeable future.

ICT – Unit 2 is assessed on-screen from January 2008 onwards. It is expected that Unit 1 will be trialled on-line for a few pilot centres in January 2009.

Mathematics – the level 2 Competency test is available as an option from June 2008. There are currently no plans for an on-screen version of the functionality tasks.

Identical paper-based versions of the tests are available to centres not wishing to use on-screen assessment.