Good technique turns what you know into marks. Learn how the two sections usually work, how to show working, estimate and check answers, read the question in its real-life context, and use your time well.
Audience
Adults & apprentices
Levels
Level 1 · Level 2
Worked examples
4
Format
Print (A4/Letter) + answers
Learn
How the assessment is usually set out
The Functional Skills maths assessment is usually one exam with a non-calculator section and a calculator section. The exact length, pass mark, number of questions and any formula sheet vary by awarding body — for example Pearson Edexcel, City & Guilds, NCFE, Highfield and Open Awards — and some offer paper or on-screen versions. Check your own provider's information and sample papers rather than relying on general advice.
The non-calculator section tests number skills: written methods, mental arithmetic, simple fractions and percentages. The calculator section is longer and more problem-based — realistic tasks with several steps. Once the non-calculator section is finished you normally cannot go back to it, so check it before moving on.
Show your working
Functional Skills questions often carry marks for method as well as for the final answer, so a wrong final number with clear working can still earn credit. Write down each calculation, not just the result: “£650 × 0.8 = £520” rather than “£520”. On a calculator section, write down what you typed. If the question asks you to justify a decision — which deal is cheaper, whether a sofa fits — finish with a clear sentence that answers it, backed by the figures.
Estimate first, check after
Estimating catches mistakes before they cost marks. Round each number to one significant figure and work out a rough answer: 48 × 21 is about 50 × 20 = 1,000, so an answer of 100 or 10,000 must be wrong. Some questions ask for an estimate directly — show the rounded numbers you used.
Check with the inverse operation: if £84 ÷ 7 = £12, then £12 × 7 should give £84. For percentages, check your answer by applying it the other way. Ask whether the answer is sensible: a person's weekly shopping is not £3,000, and a room is not 0.4 m wide.
Read the question in context
Functional maths is about real situations, so the context changes the answer. If 155 people need 16-seat minibuses, 155 ÷ 16 = 9.69, but you cannot hire 0.69 of a bus, so the answer is 10. If you can fill boxes of 6 eggs from 50 eggs, you get 8 full boxes — round down. Underline the units asked for, any rounding instruction, and words such as “each”, “total”, “per” or “remaining”.
Managing your time
Look at the marks for each question: a one-mark question should not take ten minutes. A simple guide is to divide the time available by the number of marks and keep roughly to it. If you get stuck, write down what you can, move on, and come back. Leave time at the end to check units, rounding and that every question has an answer — a blank earns nothing, while a sensible attempt may earn method marks.
Worked example 1
Level 1: Estimate 48 × 21, then work out the exact answer.
9.You pay for £13.47 of shopping with a £20 note. How much change do you get?£6.53 — £20 − £13.47 = £6.53. Check: £13.47 + £6.53 = £20.
10.A shift lasts 6 hours 45 minutes. Write this in hours as a decimal.6.75 hours — 45 ÷ 60 = 0.75; 6.75 hours.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
It depends on your awarding body. Length, pass mark and format differ between providers such as Pearson Edexcel, City & Guilds, NCFE, Highfield and Open Awards, so check your provider's own information.
Some providers give certain formulae and others do not. Check your awarding body's sample papers so you know which formulae to learn.
No. There is usually a non-calculator section and a calculator section. Practise written and mental methods for the first part.
Write down any working you can, move on, and come back later. A partial method can still earn marks; a blank cannot.
