Progress on restoration of services
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Functional skills updates
Stay up to date with the latest Functional Skills assessment updates. See below.
[Updated 23/01/26]
Functional Skills new papers update 2026
Our previously published new paper release points for 2026 have now been updated to allow a longer 6 working day turnaround of results to start the New Year. The updated dates are now as follows:
English and Mathematics new paper introductions
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English & Mathematics |
||
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Delivery mode |
Assessment to and from date |
Results Available |
|
Paper-based |
23/02/2026 - 08/04/2026 |
15/04/2026 |
|
On-screen & RI |
16/03/2026 - 29/04/2026 |
07/05/2026 |
From 2027 onwards the paper-bank will be refreshed in January for paper-based assessment and February for online assessments. Exact dates will be published nearer the time.
Digital Functional Skills new paper introductions
The previously published dates for introduction of new Digital Functional Skills papers are now not applicable, and we are working on providing new dates which will be published on this page in the coming weeks
[Updated 14/08/25]
Updated Functional Skills Assessment Tracking Document (ATD) – Version 1.4
- SLC tab, new columns added for topic name and reasonable adjustments
- Entry FSQ tab, a new column added for reasonable adjustments
Please ensure that this latest version is used for all future entries. The updated ATD can be downloaded from the relevant qualification page under the Assessment materials tab.
If your centre uses a customised version of the ATD, please ensure that both tabs are updated to include the new columns.
As a reminder, the fully completed ATD must be sent to the EQA at least 2 weeks prior to any Functional Skills EQA review for English and Mathematics.
Answers to your queries
Why do we introduce new papers into the live assessment bank?
It’s a regulatory requirement with our regulator Ofqual that assessment papers are regularly introduced and retired to ensure consistency and confidentiality of assessments.
Why does the 6-day turnaround need to be paused when a new paper is released?
- When new papers are introduced, there’s a standardisation and validation process referred to as awarding, which is the process all awarding organisations use to establish pass boundaries.
- During the awarding process, the standard 6-day result turnaround is paused to gather sufficient live learner data which is scrutinised by an awarding committee including Subject Chairs and Chief Examiners. This enables NCFE to establish consistent and reliable pass marks based on live learner performance.
- New paper introductions and associated results release will never exceed a maximum of 35 working days, which only applies if a learner sits an assessment on the first day that the new papers are live, thereafter the maximum timeframe reduces day by day.
Why does the timeframe need to be as long as a maximum 35 working days?
- From the new papers going live there needs to be a process of building up live learner sits which last approximately 14 days.
- Examiners will attend a standardisation event led by the Chief Examiner where live learner responses are discussed and standardised with mark schemes being finalised prior to marking taking place.
- We ensure examiners are marking consistently and reliably following standardisation by enacting a stringent sampling plan.
- Examiners who have successfully completed sampling are provided with their allocations and marking commences.
- Awarding process is instigated, and pass marks or grade boundary ranges are applied.
- Our Assessment Delivery team conducts quality assurance checks and subsequently releases results.
What are grade boundaries?
- Grade boundaries occur following awarding where analysis of learner assessments is unable to set a definitive pass mark, and the awarding committee needs to see further scripts at potential pass / fail marks to determine the pass mark for any specific papers.
- When we introduce onscreen and remote invigilation papers, we introduce three sets at each level (Level 1 and Level 2), and all these papers need to have a pass mark agreed.
Further information around grade boundaries and pass marks for live papers can be found in this document and on the qualification pages on our website > Assessment Materials > External assessment guidance.