Functional Skills paper-based exam key dates

Our Functional Skills key dates calendar provides the dates on which paper-based exams can be taken and when to expect results. You can view the calendar below.

View the 2024 calendar (PDF).

View the 2025 calendar (PDF).

Important information

When scheduling an exam, please ensure the ‘contact’ and ‘time and location’ fields are completed accurately. The paper-based exams will be addressed to this contact and dispatched to the address provided.

Paper-based exams will be dispatched in the week prior to the exams taking place, please ensure a member of staff is available to sign for the package.

Centres must return all exam papers (this includes unused papers) to VTCT (Skillsfirst) on the day, or at the very latest the day after an exam has taken place. Failure to comply may result in a late return of assessment charge, delay to the result release and the refusal to process any further paper-based assessments.

Please ensure all assessments are returned via courier or first class (recorded delivery), the returns address is:

FS Team, VTCT (Skillsfirst), Suite 307, Fort Dunlop, Fort Parkway, B24 9FD

A fee of £8 per learner, per exam paper for all Functional Skills paper-based exams is chargeable to all centres, this is in addition to the registration fee. The fee will be applied upon the scheduling of the paper-based exam and is non-refundable.

All assessments must be conducted in line with the ‘Instructions for Conducting Examinations’ document, this can be found on the Skillsfirst website.

VTCT reserves the right to conduct unannounced invigilation audits, this can include a review of the centre’s secure exam storage.

Please contact [email protected] if you have any queries.