Functional Skills English Level 2 Exams
Already prepared, or resitting? Book the accredited exams on their own, no course required. Sit Reading and Writing online from home or in person at our Brighton centre, and add your Speaking & Listening assessment, held online via Zoom.
One payment when you book. The exam and your certificate are included.
Find a date that works
Pick where you want to sit the exam, then choose from the available dates in the diary.
From booking to certificate in four steps
Booking takes about five minutes, and we handle the admin from there.
- 1You do this
Pick your exam type
Choose how you want to sit Reading and Writing, online at home over webcam or in person at our Brighton centre.
- 2You do this
Book your dates
Pick your Reading and Writing date in the exam diary, and add a Speaking & Listening session if you need it. Not sure of your dates yet? Book now and choose them later.
- 3You do this
Sit your assessments
A Reading exam, a Writing exam, and a Speaking & Listening session on Zoom. We confirm everything you need by email before each one.
- 4We handle this
Results and certificate
Your results are emailed to you, and once you have passed all three, your accredited certificate is sent to your address.
Exam day instructions
English has three assessments. Reading and Writing are booked together, online at home or in person in Brighton. Speaking & Listening is always held online via Zoom. Please read the instructions for your options carefully before you book.
Reading & Writing, online
Sit your exams from home
When
Any day of the week. Choose a start time between 8am and 5pm when you book.
What you need
- A Windows laptop or desktop, MacBooks are not compatible
- Webcam and microphone, built-in or external
- Stable Wi-Fi, at least 1.5 Mbps upload and download
- Google Chrome, version 85 or above
- A smartphone or tablet for the ProctorExam app
Devices that won't work
MacBooks, Chromebooks, tablets, and Linux machines cannot be used to sit the exams.
During the exams
- You must be in a quiet, private room on your own
- Stay visible on camera at all times
- A room sweep happens before each exam starts
- We confirm your exact exam timings by email before exam day
Not allowed near you
- Notes, textbooks, dictionaries, or revision materials
- Food or drinks, except water in a clear bottle
- Smartwatches or extra devices
Reading & Writing, in person
Sit your exams at our Brighton centre
When
Monday and Wednesday afternoons, 2pm to 4pm.
Location
Our head office at Unit 2, Gordon Mews, Gordon Close, Portslade, Brighton, BN41 1HU.
What to expect
- Paper based exams, no computer or laptop needed
- Everything will be set up and ready for you
- Arrive 15 minutes early
What to bring
- Valid photo ID, such as a passport, driving licence, or student ID
- Pen, pencil, and an eraser
Speaking & Listening
Live video call with an assessor
How it works
A live video call with an assessor, and other candidates, via Zoom. You will be provided with the task a week before your assessment date.
What you need
- A laptop, desktop, tablet, or smartphone with a camera and microphone
- A stable internet connection
- Zoom installed, you will receive a link before the assessment
- A quiet, private space where you won't be interrupted
During the assessment
- Join the Zoom call 5 minutes early
- The assessor will guide you through the tasks
- Keep your camera on and your face visible throughout
- Speak clearly, the assessor will be listening and assessing in real time
Good to know
- Any device works, Windows, Mac, tablet, or phone
- No special software needed, just Zoom
- The session is typically 2 to 3 hours, depending on group size
What the three assessments cover
Reading
Comprehension, text analysis, summarisation, and extracting key information from a range of document types.
Writing
Documents, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and audience-appropriate composition for workplace and personal communication.
Speaking & Listening
A live video call with an assessor and other candidates via Zoom, assessing how you speak, listen, and communicate. You receive the task a week before your session.
You need to pass Reading, Writing, and Speaking & Listening to gain the full Functional Skills English Level 2 qualification. Already passed Speaking & Listening? Just book Reading and Writing on their own.
Exam Resources
Get exam ready with our free English resources. Past papers, mark schemes, and exam tips, free for all learners.
Access Free ResourcesNot ready to sit it yet?
If you want to brush up first, our Functional Skills English Level 2 course prepares you fully and includes this exam in the price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I book just the exams without taking a course?
Yes. If your English is already strong, you can book the assessments on their own. This suits learners who have studied independently, prepared with another provider, or need to resit. You get the same accredited qualification as learners who take our full course.
Do I have to book Speaking & Listening as well?
Only if you still need it. The full qualification has three parts: a Reading exam, a Writing exam, and a Speaking & Listening assessment. If you have already passed Speaking & Listening with us or another provider, just book Reading and Writing on their own. If you need all three, add Speaking & Listening when you book.
How does the Speaking & Listening assessment work?
It is a live video call with an assessor and other candidates via Zoom, held on set dates. You are provided with the task a week before your assessment date, and on the day the assessor guides you through it. Sessions typically last 2 to 3 hours depending on group size. Any device that runs Zoom works, including MacBooks, tablets, and phones. You can pick a session in the exam diary when you book, or we will arrange one with you afterwards.
What happens after I book?
Choose your preferred dates in the exam diary, then pay securely online. If you are not sure of your dates yet, you can pay first and our team will help you choose them afterwards. Either way, we confirm your booking and everything you need by email. In-person Reading and Writing exams run on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 2pm to 4pm, online exams run any day with start times between 8am and 5pm, and Speaking & Listening sessions run on set dates via Zoom.
What do I need to sit Reading and Writing online at home?
A Windows laptop or desktop with a webcam and microphone. MacBooks, Chromebooks, tablets, and Linux machines are not compatible with the written exams. You also need stable Wi-Fi, Google Chrome, a smartphone or tablet for the ProctorExam invigilation app, photo ID, and a quiet private room. The exams are invigilated remotely over your webcam. Speaking & Listening is different: it runs on Zoom and works on any device, including MacBooks.
Are the exams equivalent to GCSE English?
Yes. Functional Skills English Level 2 is recognised as equivalent to a GCSE grade 4 (C) in English. It sits at Level 2 on the government's Regulated Qualifications Framework, the same level as GCSE grades 9 to 4, and is accepted by most employers, apprenticeships and universities as an alternative to GCSE English.
I failed Functional Skills English with another provider. Can I resit with you?
Yes. You do not need to have studied with us to sit your exams here. Many of our exam-only learners are resitting after a near miss elsewhere. Book the parts you need, and if you would like some preparation first, our full course includes the exams in its price.
What if I am not ready to sit the exams yet?
If you want to brush up first, our Functional Skills English Level 2 course prepares you fully and includes all three assessments in the price. You can study tutor-led over live Zoom classes or self-paced online.