Edexcel Functional Skills Levels 1 And 2

Assessment structure level 1Assessment1 Speaking,listening andcommunication2 Reading3 Writing(Available in paperbased and on-screenformats)(Available in paperbased and on-screenformats)Internally set andinternally marked.Externally set andmarked.Externally set andmarked.Learners mustcomplete thefollowing twoactivities.Two texts based ona single context. Thetwo texts willcomprise:1A formaldiscussion. Two writing taskswith separatecontexts. One taskworth 15 marks anda shorter task worth10 marks.2An informaldiscussion.Edexcel will provideguidance on devisingactivities to meetthe skill standard tocentres.Tasks/questionsLearners mustachieve all thelevel 1 criteriaacross the twoactivities at leastonce. one narrativetext, eg anewspaperarticleone informativetext, eg a letter,timetable,leaflet.Learners will answerall questions on eachtext. Fifty per centof the questions willbe fixed response.Learners will answerboth tasks. Forty percent of the marks foreach task will beallocated to spelling,punctuation andgrammar.AssessmenttimeThe totalassessment timeshould beapproximately 30minutes.45 minutes45 minutesMarksn/a2025Additionalinformation forpaper-basedtests and onscreen testsDetails should berecorded on theSpeaking, Listeningand CommunicationAssessment RecordSheet. Assessmentevidence should beretained for asample of thecohort.Dictionaries andbilingualdictionaries willbe allowed.Dictionaries andbilingualdictionaries willbe allowed.FC026704 – Specification – Edexcel Functional Skills qualification in English at Levels 1 and 2 –Issue 3 – February 2011 Edexcel Limited 20119

10FC026704 – Specification – Edexcel Functional Skills qualification in English at Levels 1 and 2– Issue 3 – February 2011 Edexcel Limited 2011

Edexcel Functional Skills qualification in English atLevel 2NQF level:2Guided learning hours:45Skill standards and coverage and rangeIn order to pass this qualification, the evidence that the learner presents forassessment needs to demonstrate that they can meet all the skill standards for allthe components of the qualification. The coverage and range determine thestandard required to achieve the qualification.On completion of this qualification a learner should:Skill standardsCoverage and range11.1 Consider complex informationand give a relevant, cogentresponse in appropriatelanguageSpeaking, listening andcommunication Make a range ofcontributions todiscussions in a range ofcontexts, including thosethat are unfamiliar, andmake effectivepresentationsAssessmentweighting1.2 Present information and ideasclearly and persuasively toothers1.3 Adapt contributions to suitaudience, purpose andsituationn/a1.4 Make significant contributionsto discussions, taking a rangeof roles and helping to movediscussion forwardFC026704 – Specification – Edexcel Functional Skills qualification in English at Levels 1 and 2 –Issue 3 – February 2011 Edexcel Limited 201111

Skill standardsCoverage and range22.1 Select and use different typesof texts to obtain and utiliserelevant informationReading Select, read, understandand compare texts anduse them to gatherinformation, ideas,arguments and opinionsAssessmentweighting2.2 Read and summarise,succinctly, information/ideasfrom different sources2.3 Identify the purposes of textsand comment on howmeaning is conveyedn/a2.4 Detect point of view, implicitmeaning and/or bias2.5 Analyse texts in relation toaudience needs and considersuitable responsesIn three or more texts.3Writing Write a range of texts,including extendedwritten documents,communicatinginformation, ideas andopinions, effectively andpersuasively3.1 Present information/ideasconcisely, logically, andpersuasively3.2 Present information oncomplex subjects clearly andconcisely3.3 Use a range of writing stylesfor different purposes55-60%3.4 Use a range of sentencestructures, including complexsentences, and paragraphs toorganise writtencommunication effectively3.5 Punctuate written text usingcommas, apostrophes andinverted commas accurately3.6 Ensure written work is fit forpurpose and audience, withaccurate spelling andgrammar that support clearmeaning in a range of texttypes.1240-45%FC026704 – Specification – Edexcel Functional Skills qualification in English at Levels 1 and 2– Issue 3 – February 2011 Edexcel Limited 2011

Assessment structure level 2Assessment1 Speaking,listening andcommunication2 Reading3 Writing(Available in paperbased and on-screenformats)(Available in paperbased and on-screenformats)Internally set andinternally marked.Externally set andmarked.Externally set andmarked.Learners mustcomplete thefollowing twoactivities.Three texts based ona single context. Thethree texts willcomprise:1A discussion. 2A presentation.Two writing taskswith separatecontexts. One taskworth 15 marks anda shorter task worth10 marks.Edexcel will provideguidance ondevising activitiesto meet the skillstandard to centres.Tasks/questionsLearners mustachieve all thelevel 2 criteriaacross the twoactivities at leastonce.one narrativetext, eg anewspaper article one informativetext, eg a letter a problem solvingexercise, egdrawing on threeadverts fromdifferent sources.Learners will answerboth tasks. Forty percent of the marks foreach task will beallocated to spelling,punctuation andgrammar.Learners will answerall questions on eachtext. Up to fifty percent of the questionswill be fixedresponse.Assessment timeThe totalassessment timeshould beapproximately 30minutes.45 minutes45 minutesMarksn/a2525Additionalinformation forpaper-basedtests and onscreen testsDetails should berecorded on theSpeaking, Listeningand CommunicationAssessment RecordSheet. Assessmentevidence should beretained for asample of thecohort.Dictionaries andbilingualdictionaries will beallowed.Dictionaries andbilingualdictionaries will beallowed.FC026704 – Specification – Edexcel Functional Skills qualification in English at Levels 1 and 2 –Issue 3 – February 2011 Edexcel Limited 201113

14FC026704 – Specification – Edexcel Functional Skills qualification in English at Levels 1 and 2– Issue 3 – February 2011 Edexcel Limited 2011

AssessmentAssessment summarySpeaking, listening and communication is internally assessed.Reading and writing are externally assessed.Assessment opportunities for paper-based testThere will be up to eight assessment windows each year. Assessment is available ina 5-day window. Please see our website (www.edexcel.com) for further details.Security arrangement for 5-day windowsAssessment is available within a five-day window. The following requirements mustbe adhered to: the dates of the window will be published by Edexcel test sittings must be scheduled to minimise the possibility of learners colluding centres must produce a schedule showing the date and time of eachexamination session to be held in the window. This schedule must be submittedin writing to Edexcel’s Compliance and Quality Services Department each paper must be collected in, accounted for and held securely until the endof the window learners may only sit the test once in each window teaching of the subject should be suspended for the duration of the window learners must sign a declaration when they sit the test to confirm theyunderstand they are not allowed to discuss the contents of the test until the endof the window.Assessment opportunities for on-screen testThe on-screen test may be taken at any time of the year by arrangement withEdexcel.FC026704 – Specification – Edexcel Functional Skills qualification in English at Levels 1 and 2 –Issue 3 – February 2011 Edexcel Limited 201115

ReadingReading within the functional skills in English is defined as the independentdecoding and understanding of written language and text in a purposeful context.‘Text’ is defined as materials that include the use of words that are written, printed,onscreen or presented using Braille.Computer/screen readers (assistive technology) may be used in thereading component of functional skills in English where their use reflectsthe learner’s normal way of reading. A computer/screen reader (assistivetechnology) is an acceptable arrangement, since it still allows the learner to meetthe requirements of the reading standards independently.A ‘human’ reader cannot be used to demonstrate the requirements of the standardsas this does not meet the requirement for independence. As a last resort, anexemption from the reading component can be requested for a disabled learnerwho cannot use assistive technology.Dictionaries and bilingual dictionaries will be allowed in the readingcomponent. Where necessary, learners may request the use of a scribe forthe reading test.WritingWriting within the functional skills in English is defined as the independentconstruction of written text to communicate in a purposeful context. ‘Text’ isdefined as materials that include the use of words that are written, printed,onscreen or presented using Braille and which are presented in a way that isaccessible for the intended audience.Voice recognition technology (assistive technology) may be used in the writingcomponent of functional skills in English where its use reflects the learner’s normalway of writing. The use of voice recognition technology (assistive technology) isacceptable since it allows the learner to meet the requirements of the writingstandards independently.A ‘human’ scribe cannot be used to demonstrate the requirements of the standardsas this does not meet the requirement for independence. As a last resort, anexemption from the writing component can be requested for a disabled learner whocannot use assistive technology.Dictionaries and bilingual dictionaries will be allowed in the writingcomponent. Where necessary, learners may request the use of a reader forthe writing test.ExemptionsFor functional skills in English, where barriers to access remain, we are able tooffer learners with disabilities, as a last resort, exemptions from individualassessment components within the qualification. Learners can be exemptedfrom up to two of the three assessed components.16FC026704 – Specification – Edexcel Functional Skills qualification in English at Levels 1 and 2– Issue 3 – February 2011 Edexcel Limited 2011

Controlled conditions (speaking, listening andcommunication only)Task setting: low controlA low level of control means that Edexcel will provide guidance on devising theirown speaking, listening and communication tasks at each level to centres. Learnersmust complete activities to cover all the requirements of the skill standards at thelevel they are studying.Task taking: high controlPreparationLearners’ preparation for a test should include the development of functional skills.Preparation may take place under informal supervision. Authenticity control: preparatory work may be completed under limitedsupervision. Supervision: an appropriate person should supervise the learner. It isacceptable to use an assessor/invigilator who the learner feels comfortable withand knows well. Feedback: tutors can support learners through the preparation process. Collaboration: learners may collaborate in preparation but must provide anindividual response to the speaking, listening and communication activities. Resources: learners should use the range of appropriate resources available tothe centre. The same range of resources must be made available to all learnerswithin a centre.The controlled assessmentThe completion of a test must be under controlled conditions. During theassessment the learner must be in the direct sight of the supervisor at all times.Input such as clarification of requirements, reading the questions etc is acceptable.Learners must be provided with a suitably quiet, undisturbed location.The accommodation normally used by learners may be used for assessment. Thereis no need to remove posters, displays or materials containing information relevantto what is being assessed. However, displays should not provide a prepared answerto the test questions. It is acceptable for the learner to draw on external sources(with the exception of direct help from the assessor) during the assessment period.FC026704 – Specification – Edexcel Functional Skills qualification in English at Levels 1 and 2 –Issue 3 – February 2011 Edexcel Limited 201117

Controlled conditionsLearners will be able to complete an assessment activity only when supervised. Ifthis takes place over more than one session, any learner materials must becollected in at the end of each session, stored securely and handed back at thebeginning of the next session. The completed Assessment Record Sheet andassessment evidence should be retained at the end of the controlled assessment fora sample of the cohort for verification purposes.Learners with agreed particular requirements, in relation to their mode of learningor assessment, can have their usual support, unless this compromises the outcomeof the assessment. Those providing assistance should refer to the AccessArrangements and Special Considerations for General and Vocational Qualificationsconducted by the Joint Council for Qualifications Awarding Bodies, which is on theEdexcel website (www.edexcel.com).Learners can have access to: notes, which must be checked to ensure they do not include a preparedresponse.Learners must not have access to: a prepared response.TimeThe total assessment time should be approximately 30 minutes at each level. Thistime includes individual contributions and interactions with others that demonstratefunctionality. The time may be distributed over one or more sessions at the centre’sdiscretion.AuthenticationLearners’ work must be authenticated by the centre.Task marking: medium controlA medium level of control means that tutors/assessors mark the controlledassessment task using the provided mark scheme.Edexcel will conduct an annual review of the management of functional skillsdelivery and internal verification of assessment outcomes.Edexcel will sample the assessment outcomes through standards verification.18FC026704 – Specification – Edexcel Functional Skills qualification in English at Levels 1 and 2– Issue 3 – February 2011 Edexcel Limited 2011

Quality assurance (speaking, listening andcommunication only)Edexcel monitors and supports centres in the effective operation of assessment andquality assurance. The methods which it uses to do this for functional skills include: a requirement that all centres appoint a Lead Internal Verifier for functionalskills speaking, listening and communication and to ensure that this person istrained and supported in carrying out that role a requirement that the Lead Internal Verifier completes compulsory onlinestandardisation related to assessment and verification decisions for thedesignated programme assessment sampling and verification, through requested samples of completedassessed learner work and associated documentation overarching review and assessment of a centre’s strategy for assessing andquality assuring its speaking, listening and communication functional skillsprogrammes – Centre Quality Review and Development.Edexcel Quality Assurance HandbookCentres should refer to the Handbook for Quality Assurance for Edexcel FunctionalSkills Level 1 and 2 Speaking, Listening and Communication, issued annually, fordetailed guidance.Centres must make certification claims only when authorised by Edexcel and strictlyin accordance with requirements for reporting.Centres that do not fully address and maintain rigorous approaches to qualityassurance will be prevented from seeking certification for individual programmes orfor all functional skills programmes. Centres that do not comply with remedialaction plans may have their facility to deliver qualifications removed.Edexcel’s qualification specifications clearly set out the standard to be achieved byeach learner in order to achieve the award of the qualification. Edexcel operates aquality assurance process, which is designed to ensure that these standards aremaintained by all assessors and verifiers. It achieves this through the followingactivities.Internal verificationCentres are required to have robust processes in place to ensure that eachassessor’s decisions are reviewed so that they are correctly interpreting andapplying the standards set out in the specifications. Choice and application of anappropriate system is a matter for individual centres. Edexcel fully supports the useof the centre’s own quality assurance systems where this ensures robust internalstandardisation. Centres should refer to the Handbook for Quality Assurance forEdexcel Functional Skills Level 1 and 2 Speaking, Listening and Communication(updated annually).FC026704 – Specification – Edexcel Functional Skills qualification in English at Levels 1 and 2 –Issue 3 – February 2011 Edexcel Limited 201119

Standards verificationEdexcel will sample assessors’ decisions using subject-specialist standards verifiers.This process will follow the protocol as set out in the Handbook for QualityAssurance for Edexcel Functional Skills Level 1 and 2 Speaking, Listening andCommunication (updated annually).The external verifier assigned to the centre will identify, through negotiation withthe programme coordinator, the learners’ work which will be subject to standardsverification. Centres should retain evidence from a sample of learners. Centres willbe required to make available work, from the sample, which provides evidence forthe assessment (in whole or in part) of the identified functional skill. The learnerwork must have been internally assessed, and for the learners’ work submitted atleast 50 per cent of the number of samples must have been internally verified.Centres should refer to the Handbook for Quality Assurance for Edexcel FunctionalSkills Level 1 and 2 Speaking, Listening and Communication (updated annually).Centre quality review and developmentEdexcel has a commitment to a strategic, risk-based approach to safeguardingsecurity for the awarding of qualifications where assessment is delegated tocentres. Quality assurance arrangements are deliberately focused on the ability ofcentres to manage the delivery of programmes and effective internal qualityassurance, to ensure that assessment is carried out to the appropriate standards.Each centre will receive periodic visits to review centre quality and development.20FC026704 – Specification – Edexcel Functional Skills qualification in English at Levels 1 and 2– Issue 3 – February 2011 Edexcel Limited 2011

Entry, awarding and reportingLearner entryDetails of learner entry requirements, and the number of assessment opportunities,can be found in Edexcel’s Information Manual, which is sent to all examinationsoffice

Edexcel Functional Skills qualification in English at Level 1 Edexcel Functional Skills qualification in English at Level 2 For first teaching September 2010 Issue 3 Edexcel Level 1 and 2 . Edexcel, a Pearson company,