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Functional Skills English Level 1 Exam
Functional Skills English Level 1 Exam
Our Functional Skills English Level 1 course and exam are designed to help you develop the reading, writing and communication skills needed for apprenticeships, college, employment and progression to Level 2. Built around supporting first-time passes, Pass is the UK’s leading Functional Skills provider.
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Ofqual-regulated Functional Skills English Level 1 exam
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The UK's leading Functional Skills course with high pass rates
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Fast-track online results
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Price match guarantee on like-for-like Level 1 English exams
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Free component resit included with the Premium course bundle
Now available online.
Spread the cost over up to 6 months
Spread the cost over up to 6 months
Got a question?
We'd love to talk about how we can help you.
The Booking Process
Functional Skills English Level 1 is a nationally recognised English qualification, accepted by employers, training providers, apprenticeship schemes and colleges right across the UK. It is the ideal stepping stone for anyone working towards Level 2, or for those who want to build stronger everyday reading, writing and communication skills.
You can take the Reading and Writing components of your Functional Skills English Level 1 online exam from home, using a laptop, PC, Mac or Chromebook. The Speaking, Listening and Communicating (SLC) component is also sat online, but in a scheduled group session with other learners and an invigilator. The whole qualification is designed to be flexible, so you can fit your Functional Skills exams around work, family or other commitments.
You will be registered with Open Awards, TQUK or City & Guilds, all government-approved awarding organisations and fully Ofqual-regulated.
Select your invigilation method
Choose between a live human invigilator or an automated remote system
Pick your exam date
Choose a date that fits your schedule. You could sit it as soon as tomorrow!
Study with a top-rated online course
Prepare with the UK's most trusted Functional Skills programme
Sit your exam online, at home
Reading, Writing and SLC are all sat entirely online
Get your results and certificate
Results in as few as 2 working days, with a digital certificate to follow
Open up new opportunities
Progress to Level 2, apprenticeships, college, employment and more!
A Strong Stepping Stone to Level 2
Build the English foundations you need to move forward with confidence. Many of our learners pass Level 1 within weeks and progress straight onto Functional Skills English Level 2.
A Fully Ofqual-Regulated English Exam
The Functional Skills English Level 1 online exam is Ofqual-regulated and nationally recognised. It is open to adult learners, private candidates and apprentices across the UK.
A Top-Rated Online Preparation Course
Pair your level 1 english exam booking with our highly-rated Functional Skills preparation course. You will get video lessons, practice questions and full mock exams designed to take you from where you are now to ready for exam day.
Transparent Pricing, No Surprises
Our Functional Skills English Level 1 exam pricing is clear, competitive and fully inclusive. From your exam entry fee through to official certification, everything is covered upfront.
1 Select your invigilation method
There are two invigilation options for the Reading and Writing components of your Functional Skills English Level 1 exam. The right one depends on how confident you feel with technology and the kind of schedule you prefer. The SLC component is sat separately in a group session for both pathways.
Online Human Invigilation
The better option for learners who feel less at ease with technology
Open Awards Exam Board
Live 1-1 Zoom session with a real invigilator
Full guided setup walked through by the invigilator
Scripts marked by a qualified human examiner
PC, Laptop, Mac or Chromebook accepted
Appointments available Monday to Saturday
Book from as early as tomorrow
Results within 6-16 working days
Online Remote Invigilation
The better option for learners who want maximum flexibility, any time and place
TQUK Exam Board
Independent setup completed through the exam platform
Recordings reviewed and marked by a human examiner
Available around the clock, seven days a week
PC, Laptop or Chromebook only. Macs not supported
More affordable option
Book from as early as tomorrow
Results within 2-6 working days
2 Pick your exam date
Booking your Functional Skills English Level 1 online exam is simple and flexible, with a wide range of dates available throughout the year.
Your date options include:
Sit your exam as early as the next working day
Book further in advance for reduced prices
Reserve your place now and confirm your exact date when ready
Choose the Functional Skills English Level 1 exam only, or add our course and join the 93% of learners who pass
Exam pack worth £119.99 included and posted to you!
A comprehensive Functional Skills English Level 1 exam preparation guide
A revision workbook with worked examples and practice questions
Two full practice mock exams included
3 Study with a top-rated online course
Initial Assessment
Find your starting point with a free Functional Skills English initial assessment. It is the quickest way to see where you are now and what to focus on first.
Personal Learning Plan
Complete a short subject knowledge check for each English topic and the system builds you a tailored learning plan around your strengths and gaps.
Keep Learning
Work through revision notes, practice questions and step-by-step video lessons covering Reading, Writing, and Speaking, Listening & Communicating.
AI-Marked Mock Exams
Get fast, examiner-standard feedback from AI-marked mock exams, with targeted pointers on exactly where to improve before exam day.
4 Sit your exam online, at home
Your Functional Skills English Level 1 online exam is sat entirely online. The qualification is made up of three components: Reading, Writing, and Speaking, Listening & Communicating (SLC). The Reading and Writing components are sat back-to-back in a single 2-hour session. The SLC component is taken separately on another day, in a group session with other learners and an invigilator. Pass marks vary by exam board and the difficulty of the paper.
Exam structure
Reading
Duration: 1 hour (sat before Writing)
Writing
Duration: 1 hour (sat after Reading)
SLC
Duration: 1 hour (sat separately, in a group)
Subject Areas Covered
Reading
Reading and understanding everyday texts and source materials
Writing
Grammar, punctuation and clarity in written English
SLC
Speaking, listening and communicating effectively with others
What You Will Need
A compatible computer
A Windows or Mac laptop or desktop. Mobile phones and tablets are not permitted.
Webcam & Microphone
Usually built into your laptop, or available to purchase cheaply if needed. Required for the SLC component.
Zoom Desktop App (Human Invigilation Only)
Must be downloaded, installed and signed into on your device in advance. (Human invigilation only.)
Stable Wi-Fi (10Mbit+)
Minimum: 1 Mbit upload, 10 Mbit download. Mobile data and hotspots are not permitted.
Entry Requirements
No prior qualifications needed!
There are no entry requirements for the Functional Skills English Level 1 exam. You only need a computer and a reliable internet connection. If you need access arrangements, please allow at least 5 working days for Online Remote Invigilation, or at least 10 working days for Online Human Invigilation, for processing.
5 Get your results and certificate
You will not be waiting long. Results arrive straight in your email inbox in as few as 2 working days. Once you pass, your digital Functional Skills certificate is emailed within 24 hours. Your certificate is issued by your awarding organisation (Open Awards, TQUK, or City & Guilds) and is recognised across the UK.
Online Human Invigilation
Your results will arrive in: 6 - 16 working days
After passing, your digital certificate arrives within: 24 hours
Online Remote Invigilation
Your results will arrive in: 2 - 6 working days
After passing, your digital certificate arrives within: 24 hours
6 Move forward. Everything starts with a Pass.
Achieving your Functional Skills English Level 1 qualification can help you progress into apprenticeships, training programmes and employment, while also supporting your journey towards Functional Skills English Level 2.
Apprenticeships
Earn, learn and grow via apprenticeships.
Further Education
Open up future opportunities with college courses.
University
Start your journey into higher education.
How does the UK's leading course help you pass?
Our industry-leading online Level 1 Functional Skills English course is built around one goal: helping you secure that all-important Pass. Here is how it works.
Identify Your Level
Pinpoint Topics to Improve
Videos, Questions and Assessments
AI-Assessed Mock Exams
Monitor Your Progress
Available 24/7, Fully Online
Identify your level
Initial Assessment
Kick off with our free Functional Skills English initial assessment to find out where you are now. It is quick, simple and helps us point you to the right course. The assessment covers a spread of English topics so you get a clear picture of your strengths and the areas worth focusing on first.
Pinpoint topics to improve
Subject Knowledge Assessment
When you start the Functional Skills English Level 1 Online Course, your first task is a short Subject Knowledge Assessment. This diagnostic pinpoints the areas of English you already understand well and the ones worth more revision. You then receive a personalised topic list showing exactly where to spend your study time.
Video Lessons
Build Your Understanding Topic by Topic
Every English topic comes with a clear, well-paced video lesson. Our experienced English tutors explain concepts in plain language and walk you through worked examples, so things click even if English has not always come naturally to you.
Practice Questions
Sharpen Your Exam Technique
After each video, put what you have learned to work with focused practice questions. These quick-fire quizzes are perfect for reinforcing what you have just learned and checking your recall before moving on.
Topic Assessments
Check You Are Ready to Move On
Every topic finishes with an exam-style assessment. The questions closely mirror those in the real Functional Skills English Level 1 exam, helping you consolidate what you have learned and confirm you are ready for the next topic.
AI Mock Exams
Authentic Exam Practice
The course includes a full set of online mock exams, each designed to feel just like the real level 1 english exam. Work through them at your own pace with no time pressure, and get instant, detailed feedback after each attempt so you can clearly see what went well and what needs more work. Mock exam practice is consistently one of the most effective ways to build confidence ahead of exam day.
Smart Progress Tracking
Stay on course
As you move through the course, our progress tracking system keeps an eye on how you are doing in real time. It records course completion, topic-by-topic performance and running average scores. Everything stays visible so you always know where to focus next, and when you are genuinely ready to sit the exam.
Study from anywhere
Completely Online
The course is delivered entirely online, so you can study from any location with an internet connection.
Round-the-Clock Access
Whether you study early in the morning or late at night, every part of the course is available whenever it suits you.
Around 50 Hours Recommended
Around 50 hours of study is recommended, but the pace is entirely yours. There are no deadlines, so you can take as much time as you need to feel genuinely confident before sitting your Functional Skills English Level 1 online exam.
FAQs
What equipment do I need for the Level 1 English exam online?
To sit your functional skills english level 1 online exam you will need a laptop or desktop computer (Windows or Mac), a working webcam and microphone, the Zoom desktop app if you are choosing human invigilation, and a stable internet connection of at least 1 Mbps upload and 10 Mbps download. You will also need a quiet, private room and valid photo ID. Full instructions are sent to your account dashboard after booking. If you need reasonable adjustments, please contact us at least 10 working days in advance.
How is the Functional Skills English Level 1 exam structured?
The qualification is made up of three components. Reading and Writing are each 1 hour long and sat back-to-back in a single 2-hour session. The Speaking, Listening and Communicating (SLC) component is also 1 hour, but it is taken separately on another day in a group session with other learners and an invigilator. The whole assessment is sat online.
Is the Functional Skills English Level 1 qualification recognised?
Yes. The Functional Skills English Level 1 qualification you receive after passing is fully Ofqual-regulated. It is a nationally recognised English qualification, accepted by employers, apprenticeship providers, training centres and colleges across the UK. While Level 1 is not GCSE-equivalent (that is Level 2), it is widely accepted in its own right and is the ideal stepping stone if you are working towards Level 2.
How long does it take to receive my results and certificate?
Results land in your email inbox in as little as 2 to 6 working days for TQUK or 6 to 16 working days for Open Awards. Once you pass all three components, your digital Functional Skills English Level 1 certificate follows within 24 hours.
What careers does Functional Skills English Level 1 support?
A Level 1 English qualification supports a wide range of routes, including apprenticeships, entry-level NHS roles, care and support work, administration, retail, customer service, trades, hospitality and logistics. It is also accepted by many college courses and is the ideal foundation if you are working towards Functional Skills English Level 2 or a GCSE-equivalent qualification.
Can I take the functional skills english level 1 exam only, without the course?
Yes, you can book the functional skills english level 1 exam only. That said, we strongly recommend pairing the exam with our English Level 1 Functional Skills course. Most students who complete our Functional Skills programme pass their exam, and the Premium Bundle also includes a free component resit for added peace of mind.
Identify Your Level
Pinpoint Topics to Improve
Videos, Questions and Assessments
AI-Assessed Mock Exams
Monitor Your Progress
Available 24/7, Fully Online
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