What is Exam Ready?
At Pass Functional Skills, the term “exam ready” is used to indicate that a learner is adequately prepared to sit their Functional Skills Level 2 exam in either Maths or English. This designation is not given arbitrarily; it is based on a combination of completed learning tasks and performance data from previous learners who have taken the exam.
Understanding what it means to be “exam ready” is important for both learners and providers, as it helps to ensure that exams are only taken when there is a strong likelihood of success.
Criteria for Being Exam Ready
A learner is marked as exam ready when they meet both of the following conditions:
1. Completion of All Exam Readiness Tasks
Learners must complete all the required tasks listed in the Exam Ready Progress List on the learning platform. These tasks are selected to reflect the types of questions and skills assessed in the actual exam. They include a mix of topic-based revision, mock assessments, and targeted practice activities. Completion of these tasks ensures that the learner has been exposed to the full range of content and exam-style questions.
2. Achieving a Qualifying Current Level
Alongside task completion, a learner must reach a minimum current level of 1.5 for Level 1 courses, or 2.5 for Level 2 courses, on our internal grading scale. This level reflects their consistent performance across the course content, including quizzes, topic tests, and mock exams.
This benchmark is based on statistical analysis of past learner performance. Our data shows that students who reach theses Qualifying Current Levels or above have a significantly higher pass rate when they take the actual exam. Therefore, this threshold has been established to increase the likelihood of success and reduce the chance of an early resit.
Exam Ready Tasks
To view your Exam Ready Progress Tasks, click the section 'Exam Ready Progress' section in your dashboard's hotbar. This will provide a dropdown of tasks for you to complete. These tasks include:
- Completing a Subject Knowledge Assessment: A diagnostic test that identifies your current strengths and areas for improvement, specific to a certain subject.
- Completing the Personal Learning Plan: A tailored list of topics provided based on your assessment results to guide your revision and target weak areas.
- Completing Practice Papers: Sets of exam-style questions that help you practice applying your knowledge and build confidence in exam techniques.
Completing Mock Exams: Full-length, timed exams that simulate the real test environment to evaluate your readiness and track your progress.
NB: For English courses SLC component (Speaking, Listening and Communication) you may also be required to complete the SLC Topic Area.
Once all of the tasks in your exam ready progress list are completed, AND your current level is above:
- 1.5 (for Level 1 courses)
- 2.5 (for Level 2 courses)
We believe you are ready to take your exam. Good Luck!
Why the Exam Ready Status Matters
The exam ready designation serves several important purposes:
- For learners, it provides a clear and objective indication of their progress and readiness for the final assessment.
- For providers, it ensures that learners are not entered into exams prematurely, helping to improve overall pass rates and reduce unnecessary costs.
- For employers and training organisations, it offers confidence that learners have been thoroughly prepared before sitting their functional skills qualification.
- For us at Pass, our mission is simple — we want our learners to pass. Everything we do is focused on giving students the best possible chance of success in their Functional Skills exams, and the exam ready status is a key part of that commitment.
By setting a clear standard for when a learner is ready to sit the exam, we aim to support more successful outcomes, reduce exam anxiety, and make the process more efficient for everyone involved.
If a learner has not yet met the criteria for being exam ready, we recommend continued revision and support until they do. This helps to maximise their chances of passing the exam on the first attempt.