This update includes important information relating to all Skillsfirst Awards Functional Skills qualifications, with changes effective from Monday 3rd August 2020.
Functional Skills assessments go-live following the CAG process
We are pleased to confirm that you will be able to schedule Functional Skills exams from Monday 3rd August 2020.
As a centre, it is your responsibility to ensure staff and learners comply with social distancing measures in the examination room.
New exam platform for legacy Functional Skills English, Maths and ICT Levels 1 and 2
Skillsfirst will no longer be using the SecureAssess or SecureClient platforms for the scheduling or taking of legacy Functional Skills exams.
Effective from Monday 3rd August 2020, all Functional Skills exams will be scheduled and taken within the XAMS platform. This now includes legacy Functional Skills English and Maths as well as ICT Levels 1 and 2.
For those centres already using XAMS for Reformed Functional Skills exams, your current logins will allow you to schedule legacy Functional Skills and ICT automatically.
Those centres who have not yet used XAMS will need to submit user requests for centre staff. Please complete and return the attached form to the email address on the form.
Once your account has been created, you will receive an email confirming your login details. This email will also include a link to our website where you will find our XAMS user guide, as well as all the information you will require to set up the exam platform.
Legacy Functional Skills English and Maths Levels 1 and 2 (FSE01, FSE02, FSM01, FSM02) withdrawal plan
You will be aware the certification end dates for the above qualifications have been extended until 31st December 2020.
On-screen assessments (exams) for the legacy Functional Skills English and Maths Levels 1 and 2 qualifications will be available to learners from 3rd August – 31st October 2020.
Learners will have a maximum of two opportunities to take on-screen assessments during this period. If learners fail the assessment after the second attempt, the centre will be required to transfer the learner to the relevant Reformed Functional Skills qualification.
In addition, all Speaking, Listening and Communication (SLC) assessments for legacy Functional Skills English Level 1 and 2 qualifications must have been completed and submitted to Skillsfirst no later than 31st October 2020.
Failure to meet these timescales will result in learners having to be registered on the relevant Reformed Functional Skills qualification.
Accessing learners’ results in SecureAssess
Centres will have access to review all legacy Functional Skills English, Maths and ICT Levels 1 and 2 results up to Friday 28th August 2020, after which time this system will no longer be available. Please ensure you have checked all results by this deadline.
Functional Skills ICT Levels 1 and 2
For those centres offering Functional Skills ICT Levels 1 and 2, further information will be sent to you shortly regarding the specific changes relating to these exams.
Remote invigilation
Skillsfirst plans to offer the opportunity for centres to carry out remote invigilation of Functional Skills exams very soon.
To ensure the system is robust and the security of exams are not at risk, they are currently carrying out testing of the proctoring and XAMS systems and will be providing further information relating to this, including any related costs, very soon.
If you have any queries relating to this update please email Skillsfirst Customer Services.