Functional Skills Maths · England

Functional Skills Maths Level 2

Level 2 is often accepted where a GCSE maths pass is asked for — by many employers, apprenticeships and further-education courses — though requirements vary, so check with the organisation concerned. It builds on Level 1 with harder numbers and more multi-step problems.

Audience
Adults & apprentices
Content areas
3
Topic pages
11
Format
Lessons + printable practice

Overview

How Level 2 is organised

The same three content areas continue from Level 1, but questions expect you to choose a method yourself, combine several steps and explain your decisions. The calculator section in particular contains longer problems set in realistic situations.

If Level 1 topics feel shaky, revise them first — Level 2 assumes them. Each topic page has a Level 2 tab on its printable practice sheet, with every answer worked through.

Step up

What's new compared with Level 1

  • Reverse percentages and percentage change (for example, finding a price before VAT).
  • Inverse proportion — more workers, fewer days.
  • Formulae written with letters, including negative numbers.
  • Compound interest, depreciation and income tax.
  • Imperial conversions, conversion graphs and compound measures such as speed and density.
  • Triangles, circles, cylinders and surface area.
  • Coordinates in four quadrants.
  • Median, mode, grouped data, combined probability, two-way tables and scatter diagrams.

Using numbers and the number system

  • Work with any fractions, decimals and percentages, and express one amount as a percentage of another.
  • Find percentage change and use reverse percentages, for example to remove VAT.
  • Use inverse proportion and ratios with three or more parts.
  • Substitute numbers, including negatives, into formulae and expressions written with letters.
  • Calculate compound interest, depreciation, tax and more complex budgets.
Fractions, decimals and percentagesConvert, order, and find fractions and percentages of amounts.Percentage change, VAT and discountsIncreases, decreases, discounts, VAT and reverse percentages.Ratio and proportionSharing in a ratio, recipes, best buys and inverse proportion.Formulae and order of operationsWord formulae, BIDMAS and substitution into expressions.Money, interest and budgetingBudgets, simple and compound interest, and income tax.

Using common measures, shape and space

  • Convert between metric and imperial units using a conversion factor or a conversion graph.
  • Use compound measures: speed, density and rates of pay.
  • Find the area of triangles and circles, the circumference of circles, the volume of cylinders and surface areas.
  • Work out scales, use plans and elevations, and use coordinates in all four quadrants.
Units, time and conversionsMetric units, time, imperial conversions, speed and density.Area, perimeter and volumeRectangles, composite shapes, circles, cuboids and cylinders.Scale drawings, maps and coordinatesMap scales, plans and elevations, and coordinates.

Handling information and data

  • Find the median and mode, and an estimated mean from grouped data.
  • Compare two data sets using an average and a measure of spread.
  • Work out combined probabilities and use two-way tables.
  • Draw and interpret scatter diagrams and describe correlation.
Averages and rangeMean, median, mode, range and grouped data.Charts, graphs and probabilityTables, charts, pie charts, probability and scatter graphs.

The assessment

Check your awarding body

The assessment is usually one exam with a non-calculator section and a calculator section. The exact length, pass mark and formula sheet vary by awarding body (for example Pearson Edexcel, City & Guilds, NCFE, Highfield and Open Awards), so check your own provider's specification and sample papers.

Next steps

Level 1 overviewRevise the foundations first.Exam techniqueBoth sections, showing working, estimating and checking.Functional Skills Maths hubWhat it is, who takes it and the full learning path.

PaperKind Printables is an independent practice resource. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by any awarding body or the Department for Education.

Last reviewed: 9 October 2026