Skillsfirst Level 1 Functional Skills Qualification in Mathematics

 

 

The Skillsfirst Level 1 Functional Skills Qualification in Mathematics has been developed for work, study and life. It gives learners the opportunity to demonstrate a sound grasp of mathematical skills at the appropriate level and the ability to apply mathematical thinking effectively to solve problems successfully in the workplace and in other real-life situations.

 

The qualification has been designed to enable the learner to gain in confidence and fluency, and to develop behaviours such as persistence and logical thinking as they apply mathematical tools and approaches. The qualification has also been designed to:

• enable learners to demonstrate their ability in mathematical skills and their ability to apply these, through appropriate reasoning and decision making, to solve realistic problems of increasing complexity
• introduce learners to new areas of life and work so that they are exposed to concepts and problems which, while not of immediate concern, may be of value in later life
• enable learners to develop an appreciation of the role played by mathematics in the world of work and in life generally
• enable learners to use numbers and the number system, such as whole numbers, fractions, decimals and percentages, use common measures, shape and space and handle information and data.

 

Achievement of the Skillsfirst Level 1 Functional Skills Qualification in Mathematics

 

To achieve the Skillsfirst Level 1 Functional Skills Qualification in Mathematics, learners must successfully pass the one mandatory unit (an on-screen or paper-based exam).

 

The exam is split into two sections, in Section A calculators are not permitted, in Section B calculators are permitted. Scientific calculators are not permitted.

 

The total duration of the exam is 2 hours with a total of 60 marks.

 

 

Qualification structure

 

Skillsfirst qualification number	Qualification title	Ofqual qualification reference
RFSM1	Skillsfirst Level 1 Functional Skills Qualification in Mathematics	603/4807/0

 

Mandatory units

Ofqual unit  number	Unit title
L/617/2478	Functional Skills Mathematics Level 1

 

Related Documents:

Skillsfirst Level 1 Functional Skills Qualification In Maths Handbook

 

 

Total qualification time (TQT) and guided learning hours

 

The TQT for Skillsfirst Level 1 Functional Skills Qualification in Mathematics is 60.

 

The minimum guided learning hours (GLH) are 55.

 

What has changed?

 

Some of the changes to Functional Skills Mathematics include:

• An indication that learners can demonstrate their ability in mathematical skills and application through appropriate reasoning and decision making to solve realistic problems of increasing complexity.
• Introducing learners to new areas of life and work so that they are exposed to concepts and problems which, while not of immediate concern, may be of value in later life.
• Enabling learners to develop an appreciation of the role played by mathematics in the world of work and in life generally.

 

This means that learners will need to:

• perform calculations without the aid of calculator
• knowledge of times tables
• use mathematics as stand-alone skills and as part of problem-solving contexts

 

The Skillsfirst approach to this will be to develop examinations that have:

• a single component consisting of one assessment (four tasks), either online or paper-based, which has 60 marks in total and a two-hour duration
• one non-calculator task and three calculator tasks. Each task will have a total of 15 marks
• a range of questions, such as: short answer, graph/chart completion and limited multiple choice
• a pass/fail assessment with the pass threshold being around 36 marks