FAQs

We have not released any past papers since the Functional Skills Pilot. All un-used past papers must be

• Securely destroyed, or
• Returned to OCR

They must not be used as practice materials.

There are no proxies for Functional Skills.

Learners will satisfy the apprenticeship requirement for the relevant Functional Skills qualification if they have achieved either:

• Within the previous 5 years and before September 2012:
  Key Skills Communication at the equivalent level or GCSE English (Grades A*-C) or A level or AS Level English Language, English Literature, or English Language and Literature (Grades A-E); Key Skills Application of Number at the equivalent level or GCSE Mathematics (Grades A*-C) or A level or AS level Mathematics, Pure Mathematics, or Further Mathematics (Grades A-E), Key Skills ICT at the equivalent level or GCSE ICT (Grades A*-C) or A level or AS level ICT; or,
• Beyond the previous 5 years:
  GCSE or O level English (Grades A*-A) or A level or AS Level English Language, English Literature, or English Language and Literature (Grades A*-A); GCSE or O level Mathematics (Grades A*-A) or A level or AS level Mathematics, Pure Mathematics, or Further Mathematics (Grades A*-A), GCSE or O Level ICT (Grades A*-A) or A level or AS level ICT (Grades A*/A).

For further information, please contact the relevant Sector Skills Council.

Yes, but the learner must write their response in English.

Please request an individual or group results enquiry.

For more information please visit the post-results services area.

No, pilot qualification assessments should not be used.

Learners will not be penalised for writing in pencil (although this is not ideal).

Please refer to the JCQ Access Arrangements, Reasonable Adjustments and Special Consideration 2010-11 document.

Yes, each Functional Skill achieved at Level 2 is worth 10 points.

For admission to HE from 2011 onwards, UCAS Tariff points will only be allocated to level 2 qualifications if both the following criteria are met:

• They are broad skills qualifications - Core Skills, Essential Skills, Essential Skills Wales, Functional Skills, Key Skills.
• They are being studied as part of a wider composite qualification, such as Diplomas or Welsh Baccalaureate.

During spring 2011, OCR will release:

• Pass marks for Level 1 and 2 assessments
• Centre reports
• New exemplar materials with examiner commentaries.

The SAMS have not had a pass mark awarded.

Teaching can take place for any candidates who are not taking the exam in that week. The only candidates affected by this ruling are those who will be taking the exam in the same week, so that they do not receive any unfair advantage over other candidates also taking the exam in the same week.

Yes, please refer to the section titled "Adding 'pirate' candidates" found in the Functional Skills Admin Guide.

It is not OCR's policy to accept late entries for functional skills.

No withdrawals are allowed once entries have been made.

Refer to the JCQ Regulations and Guidance for the conduct of examination document.

JCQ regulations state that all assessment materials must be kept securely and only opened when the assessment is due to take place. The exams officer may open the packages to check that all the question papers and resource booklets ordered have been received. Once this check is done, everything must be resealed and kept securely.

The 'live' assignments are available on OCR Interchange.

All certification claims for Entry Level Set B, must be made by 31 January 2012.

Answers are not dependant on identifying specific use of colour (questions may be asked about format/presentation features of documents).

1. Assessment Record Front Sheet (this covers all the candidates submitted for certification in that specific batch) – available on the OCR website
2. Assessment Record form (1 per candidate) – available on OCR Interchange (in the live assignments)
3. Centre Authentication Form (this covers all the candidates submitted for certification in that specific batch) - available on the OCR website
4. Candidate evidence for each task.

No, you must submit all learners work being put forward for certification in that batch.

No, only full marks can be awarded.