Functional skills updates

[Updated 27/10/25]

NCFE Functional Skills paper-based bookings over the festive period

 With the festive period fast approaching, we would like to inform our Functional Skills customers of the last date in which their learners can sit paper-based bookings before the festive break along with the first date learners can sit in the new year. 

Centres currently have the flexibility to deliver paper-based assessments anytime from when they receive the papers up until three working days after the scheduled assessment date.  

Completed papers must be returned no later than 48 hours after the assessment has been completed.  

Please don’t return assessment papers to NCFE between Friday 19 December and Friday 2 January.  

If completed assessments or unused papers cannot be returned within the above timelines please ensure they are securely stored in line with the Instructions for conducting Functional Skills assessments (English and Mathematics) until the new year.  

[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. 

[Updated 16/07/25]

Functional Skills English and maths - New paper introductions 2025-2026 onwards

Following your feedback and a thorough review of our English and maths qualifications, we’ve made changes to our assessments, resources and practice papers. Focusing on three key areas: accessibility, clarity and support. More information about the changes can be found here.  

The new-style assessment papers will be released on 17 October 2025.

English and Mathematics new paper introductions

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

NCFE’s pre-release materials will be updated to coincide with the new paper introductions. It is the centre’s responsibility to ensure that any pre-release materials are set up on the learner’s computer prior to the assessment taking place.

At no point should learners set up their own pre-release materials independently without guidance and support from the centre.

The pre-release materials for new DFSQ paper introductions in September 2025 will be updated by 1^st August 2025 to ensure centres can download and make pre-release materials accessible on all assessment ready devices.

For further guidance on how to download the pre-release materials please visit the Digital Functional Skills pre-release files and guidance webpage.