Book your Functional Skills Maths and English Level 2 exam with confidence

Functional Skills Maths and English Level 2 are practical qualifications designed to show that you can use maths and English confidently in real-life, work and study situations. They are commonly used by adults, apprentices and learners who need a recognised Level 2 qualification for employment, college, university, apprenticeships or career progression.

Maths Level 2 focuses on practical numeracy, problem solving, calculator and non-calculator skills. English Level 2 normally covers reading, writing, and speaking, listening and communication. You can compare your options on our Maths Level 2 page and English Level 2 page.

Functional Skills Level 2 is widely accepted as a GCSE-equivalent qualification for many work, apprenticeship and education routes. In many situations, Maths Level 2 or English Level 2 can be used when an employer, training provider or course asks for a Level 2 maths or English qualification.

However, requirements can vary depending on the employer, university, college or professional body. Before booking, it is always sensible to check directly with the organisation asking for the qualification and confirm that Functional Skills Level 2 is accepted for your specific purpose.

Yes, online exam options are available for both Maths Level 2 and English Level 2. Online exams are useful if you want a flexible route and prefer to complete your exam remotely rather than attending a centre. For Maths, the online exam is computer-based and normally includes both non-calculator and calculator sections.

For English, Reading and Writing can be completed as online computer-based exams, while Speaking and Listening is assessed separately. You can book a Maths online exam or an English online exam when you are ready.

The price depends on the subject and exam format. On this page, the Maths Level 2 online exam is listed from £180, while the centre-based Maths exam is listed from £110. For English Level 2, Reading, Writing and Speaking & Listening are listed from £90 per component, with a centre-based bundle option from £270.

If you only need one English component, you may be able to book that component separately. If you need the full English Level 2 qualification, you will normally need Reading, Writing, and Speaking & Listening.

The Functional Skills Maths Level 2 exam usually tests practical maths skills that can be used in everyday life and work. This can include number, fractions, percentages, ratio, measures, money, time, shape, space, data and problem-solving questions.

The Maths Level 2 exam is normally 1 hour and 45 minutes and includes both non-calculator and calculator sections. If you want to revise first, you can start with a structured Maths Level 2 course before booking your exam.

Functional Skills English Level 2 normally has three main parts: Reading, Writing, and Speaking, Listening and Communication. Reading checks your understanding of written texts. Writing checks your ability to write clearly, accurately and appropriately. Speaking and Listening checks communication skills in discussion or presentation-style tasks.

Reading is usually 1 hour, Writing is usually 1 hour 20 minutes, and Speaking & Listening is assessed separately. Learners who want extra preparation can use an English online course before taking the exam.

If you already feel confident with the subject and only need the qualification, booking the exam may be the fastest route. This can work well if you have recently studied maths or English, understand the exam format and only need to complete the assessment.

If you have been away from education for a while, feel nervous about exams or are not sure which topics you need to improve, taking a course first can be a better option. A course can help you identify gaps, practise key skills and build confidence before the exam. You can compare both routes on our Functional Skills courses page.

The online courses are designed to help learners prepare before taking their Functional Skills Maths or English exam. They can include an initial assessment, diagnostic assessment, personalised learning plan, self-learning modules, interactive resources, skill checks and revision scenarios.

This is useful because it gives you a clearer idea of what you already know and what you still need to practise. Course access is listed on this page from £75 when purchased with an exam, or £150 as a stand-alone course, with 2 months of unlimited access.

Results usually come within a week, but they can take up to 20 working days depending on the exam, marking process and awarding body timescales. This is important to remember if you need the qualification for a job application, apprenticeship deadline, university offer or course enrolment.

If you need your result by a certain date, try to book your exam early and leave enough time for marking, possible delays and any resit you may need.

The best route depends on why you need the qualification. Adults returning to education may prefer an online course first, especially if they have not studied maths or English for a long time. Apprentices may need Maths Level 2, English Level 2 or both to complete their programme. University or college applicants should check the exact entry requirements before booking.

A simple route is to first confirm whether you need Maths, English or both. Then decide whether you are ready for the exam or need revision first. After that, you can choose between online and centre-based exam options depending on your schedule, confidence and deadline.