Functional Skills Maths Level 1 Exam
Already prepared, or resitting? Book the accredited exam on its own, no course required. Sit it online from home or in person at our Brighton centre.
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The exam and your certificate are included in the price.
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 it, online at home over webcam or in person at our Brighton centre.
- 2You do this
Book your exam date
Pick a date and time in the exam diary and pay securely. Not sure of your date yet? Book now and choose it later.
- 3You do this
Sit your exam
Two papers, one without a calculator and one with. We confirm everything you need for exam day by email.
- 4We handle this
Results and certificate
Your result is emailed to you, and once you pass, your accredited certificate is sent to your address.
Exam day instructions
You have two ways to sit this exam. Please read the instructions for your option carefully before you book.
Remote online
Sit your exam from home
When
Any day of the week. Choose a start time between 8am and 5pm when you book.
Awarding body
Pearson Edexcel, regulated by Ofqual.
What you need
- A Windows laptop or desktop (Macs are not supported)
- 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 exam.
During the exam
- You must be in a quiet, private room on your own
- Stay visible on camera at all times
- A room sweep happens before the exam starts
- A calculator is only allowed in the calculator section
Not allowed near you
- Notes, textbooks, or revision materials
- Food or drinks, except water in a clear bottle
- Smartwatches or extra devices
Paper based, in person
Sit your exam at our Brighton centre
When
Monday and Wednesday afternoons, 2pm to 4pm.
Awarding body
Pearson Edexcel or Highfield, both regulated by Ofqual.
Location
Our head office at Unit 2, Gordon Mews, Gordon Close, Portslade, Brighton, BN41 1HU.
What to expect
- Paper based exam, 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
- Any equipment you may need, e.g. pen, pencil, eraser, ruler, protractor, pair of compasses, calculator
Government inspected, June 2026
Independently inspected by Ofsted.Here is what they found.
Ofsted is the official inspectorate for education and skills in England. In June 2026, three inspectors spoke with our learners, tutors and leaders.
From our Ofsted report card
Adult learning programmes
Participation and development
- Exceptional
- Strong standardOur grade
- Expected standard
- Needs attention
- Urgent improvement
What Ofsted says it means“The provider reaches a strong standard. Leaders are working above the standard expected of them.”
Safeguarding standards met
“Learners on ESOL and functional skills courses gain greatly in confidence as their language and mathematical skills develop.”
“Learners study in safe environments where their wellbeing and welfare is a priority for staff.”
Quoted word for word from Ofsted’s report on Functional Skills UK, published July 2026.
Read the full report (opens in a new tab)Exam Resources
Get exam ready with our free maths 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 Maths Level 1 course prepares you fully and includes this exam in the price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I book just the exam without taking a course?
Yes. If you already know your maths, you can book the exam on its 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.
Which awarding body is the exam with?
Online exams are with Pearson Edexcel. In-person exams at our Brighton centre are with Pearson Edexcel or Highfield. Both are national awarding bodies regulated by Ofqual, so you get the same nationally recognised Functional Skills Maths Level 1 qualification whichever one you sit with.
What happens after I book?
Choose your preferred date and time in the exam diary, then pay securely online. If you are not sure of your date yet, you can pay first and our team will help you choose one afterwards. Either way, we confirm your booking and everything you need for exam day by email. In-person exams run on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 2pm to 4pm, and online exams run any day with start times between 8am and 5pm.
Should I sit Level 1 or go straight to Level 2?
Level 1 is the ideal stepping stone if you want to rebuild your confidence with numbers before tackling Level 2, and some apprenticeships and jobs only ask for Level 1. If your goal is the GCSE grade 4 (C) equivalent, that is Level 2, and many learners pass Level 1 first then progress straight to Level 2 with us. If you are not sure which level you need, get in touch and we will advise you honestly.
Is the Level 1 exam equivalent to GCSE Maths?
Not quite. Functional Skills Maths Level 1 sits at Level 1 on the government's Regulated Qualifications Framework, the same level as GCSE grades 1 to 3, so it is just below the GCSE grade 4 (C) standard. It is a nationally recognised qualification in its own right, and it is the natural stepping stone to Level 2, which is the GCSE grade 4 (C) equivalent.
I failed Functional Skills Maths with another provider. Can I resit with you?
Yes. You do not need to have studied with us to sit the exam here. Many of our exam-only learners are resitting after a near miss elsewhere. Book the exam, and if you would like some preparation first, our full course includes the exam in its price.
What do I need to sit the exam online at home?
A Windows laptop or desktop with a webcam and microphone. MacBooks, Chromebooks, tablets, and Linux machines are not compatible. 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 exam is invigilated remotely over your webcam.
What if I am not ready to sit the exam yet?
If you want to brush up first, our Functional Skills Maths Level 1 course prepares you fully and includes this exam in the price. You can study tutor-led over live Zoom classes or self-paced online.