Maths Functional Skills
The majority of Apprenticeships require learners to achieve Level 1 or Level 2 maths and English qualifications if they do not already have the equivalent at GCSE. This is a central part of your course and will affect completion of your Apprenticeship, as well as your future career prospects. Our Functional Skills team will support you at every step to help you achieve these qualifications.
Useful maths resources
Please find below some useful resources to support you with your maths Functional Skills.
BBC Bitesize
BBC Bitesize has some good introductory material and examples of functional maths in the workplace
Pass Functional Skills
This site has full coverage of the new Functional Skills specification, with excellent worksheets and videos on every topic.
Mars Maths
This is another good site with lots of revision material. Remember to choose the right level for your course (you won’t need the GCSE content)
Functional Skills maths practice papers and full course specification
This site allows you to access the full specification for maths and give you access to a number of past papers for you to explore and practice your knowledge and skills.
Topic list
Functional skills maths cover a range of topics, here is a list to support you with your understanding of what you will learn throughout a Functional Skills course
- Basic calculations & mental maths
- BIDMAS
- Rounding numbers
- Ordering decimal numbers
- Function machines
- Fraction of an amount
- FDP equivalences
- Time and schedules
- Percentages and percentage change
- Ratio
- Direct proportion
- Metric units
- Area & perimeter of 2D shapes (rectangles)
- Volume of cuboids
- Angles & bearings
- Scale drawings & maps
- Lines of Symmetry (2D shapes)
- Nets of 3D shapes
- Plans & elevations
- Likelihood & probability
- Mean average & range
- Constructing grouped frequency tables
- Pie charts and bar charts
- Basic calculations & mental maths
- BIDMAS (incl. powers & roots)
- Fractions (incl. adding, simplifying)
- Mixed numbers & improper fractions
- Percentages (incl. % change)
- Compound interest
- FDP equivalences
- Ratio
- Direct & inverse proportion
- Units & conversion (imperial, metric)
- Speed, distance & time
- Plans, elevations & scale drawing
- Probability (incl. trees, 2-way tables)
- Area (rectangles, triangles, circles)
- Perimeter & circumference
- Volume of 3D shapes
- Surface area of 3D shapes
- Averages & range
- Frequency tables (incl. grouped)
- Scatter graphs & correlation
- Formula
- Angles & geometry
- Coordinates
“We did something different every day and repeated methods so we can keep engaged!”
“Very clever and unique technique to teach and make students understand the work”
Frequently asked questions
Yes, the range of topics covered in Functional Skills is different to those at GCSE, but you will notice many similarities. Be aware that using any GCSE resources to revise may not cover the correct topics. The exam paper is also different, with a more functional context (i.e. real life) to many questions. Functional Skills is not ‘easier’ than GCSE but you may find it more accessible.
Yes, a pass at Level 2 Functional Skills maths or English is equivalent to a pass (grade 4) at GCSE.
For maths there is a 2 hour exam (non-calculator paper, followed by calculator paper). For English you have an external reading and writing exam, and you are assessed internally for your speaking, listening and communication. The exact time and day will vary; you will be informed when booking the block, but typically it is the day after your final day in class.
Your tutor will help you prepare for the final exam, e.g. by completing practice papers and mock exams.
Note, depending on the level and course, exams are either paper-based or taken on-screen.
Your tutor will be aware of the different starting points of learners, and won’t assume you have remembered everything from school or college. However, some preparation will certainly help, see the useful resources on this page, and ask your tutor for anything you need.
No, your tutor will provide all the necessary equipment, but feel free to bring your own pen/notebook/calculator etc. Note, learners must wear their ID badge at all times when on-site (the Security office can provide a temporary ID if required). Its also useful to make sure you can access your Training 2000 learner account before attending your first class.
Full attendance and punctuality are vital, especially in the limited time we have with you during these blocks. Inform your CDA or tutor as soon as possible if you think you can not meet these requirements.
As with any learning, make full use of your tutor by asking questions and engaging with the activities in class – help your tutor to help you! No question is ‘too simple’ to ask.
Results will be emailed to you, up to 6 weeks after taking the exam. Contact your tutor if you are still waiting for a result after this. Be sure to check your Training 2000 account, not just your personal email.
Yes, Functional Skills exams can be re-sat more readily than GCSE (which has fixed exam days), but we hope you won’t need to! The option to re-sit at a convenient date is an advantage of Functional Skills over GCSE.
These should be in place based on the information you provided at enrolment. It’s worth checking with your CDA /tutor well before the block starts, as it may not be possible to arrange these at short notice if we are not aware of them.
Our Apprentice Wellbeing Advisors are also available for general advice, or if you need to discuss any other concerns you have.