Functional skills - maths

Overview

This course is for adults who want to improve their maths skills quickly. It is suitable for learners who need maths for work, further education, or everyday life, and who can commit to an intensive three‑week programme. This course is ideal for motivated learners who are ready to attend four days per week and sit an exam at the end.

You will learn practical maths skills used in everyday life, including number, calculations, measures, time, shape, space and handling data. The course follows the Pearson Functional Skills Maths curriculum and focuses on the key knowledge and skills needed to prepare you for the final exam.

You will learn online through live tutor‑led sessions. Teaching will include clear explanations, guided practice and independent work. You will work both as a group and individually using Google Classroom. This is an intensive course running four days per week over three weeks, so full attendance and independent study are essential.

Entry requirements

This course is for learners who have not yet achieved a Level 2 Functional Skills Maths qualification or a GCSE grade 4. Before enrolling, you will meet with a Learning Advisor and complete a short skills check to ensure this is the right level for you. Please contact your local Learn Devon centre to arrange this.

Assessment criteria

You will take a Functional Skills Maths exam at the end of the three‑week course at your nearest Learn Devon centre. The exam consists of two papers taken on the same day. One paper is non‑calculator and the second allows a calculator. You must be available to sit the exam on the scheduled date.

What do I need?

As this is an online course, you will need a good internet connection and a computer or tablet, a mobile phone is not suitable. You will need a pen, pencil, and a notebook.  Squared paper, while not required, can be useful to organise your work. 

You will need a calculator for this course, we recommend the Casio fx-85GTX but anything similar will work just as well. You will also need a simple geometry set containing a protractor, a compass as well as a 30cm ruler. Talk to your tutor about any books that they would recommend to help you on this course.

This is an intensive course, so you must be able to attend all sessions over the three weeks and complete any independent study set by your tutor. Regular practice is essential to keep up with the pace of learning and to prepare fully for the exam at the end of the course.

What can I do next?

After successfully completing this course, learners may wish to progress to a GCSE Maths course. Achieving a Functional Skills Maths qualification can help improve employment opportunities and access to further education or training. Many employers, colleges and training providers accept a Level 2 Functional Skills Maths qualification as an alternative to GCSE Maths.