Functional Skills Pass Rates

Starting out

If you are nervous about booking a Functional Skills exam, you are not alone. Many learners start by checking functional skills pass rates to get a sense of what to expect, then quickly realise that steady preparation is what moves the dial.

What Functional Skills actually test

These qualifications focus on real-life maths and English. Level 2 is widely accepted as equivalent to a GCSE grade 4, so it can unlock jobs, apprenticeships, and university courses. Remote exams keep access flexible, but outcomes still depend on planning and practice.

Ofqual Outcomes, 2021 Q4 to 2024 Q4

The table below reproduces Ofqual’s Outcomes for all students who took assessments between 2021 Q4 and 2024 Q4. The percentages reflect overall passes, not necessarily first attempts.

Qualification and Level	Percentage of all students who passed their assessments taken between 2021 Q4 and 2024 Q4
English Level 1 Reading	89.4
English Level 1 Writing	84.7
English Level 1 Reading and Writing	82.1
English Level 2 Reading	84.1
English Level 2 Writing	85.1
English Level 2 Reading and Writing	80.0
Maths Level 1	61.9
Maths Level 2	61.3

These figures are useful context for functional skills pass rates, though they cannot show first time success, resits, or the effect of tailored support.

Turn information into action

Make a weekly plan that combines short topic reviews, exam-style practice, and quick marking. Keep an error log with the question, the fix, and one corrected example. Add a timed mini mock each week to build pace. Used consistently, these habits help many learners outperform broad functional skills pass rates.

The provider effect

Pass Functional Skills offers initial assessments, personal learning plans, realistic mock exams, AI marked feedback, and progress tracking to keep effort focused. From what we see at Ilkley Tuition, that mix shortens the path from practice to progress, which is one reason functional skills pass rates with well supported learners often exceed national trends.

Final word

Treat the national data as perspective, then focus on the habits that raise your score. With a clear plan and responsive feedback, you can approach the exam with calm and clarity.