Functional skills maths

[Naz786]

I am struggling to get on a functional skills course maths in particular as I've missed the enrollment this year. Has anyone studied maths from home instead of college. Can I improve my maths by buying books and doing exercises from home?? Or will I be wasting my money. I am at entry level 3 and aiming for level 2

Hi,
You have a number of options. Functional Skills exams are really flexible and although college only have set dates, you may be able to take exams with a local training centre. It may be worth seeing what centres are available in your area.

If you need something really flexible, you could try distance learning:-

www.learnnow.org.uk/english-and-maths-home-study-distance-learning-courses-online.html

These may be worth a look at:-

Maths Level 2 Functional Skills
There would be one exam for Maths. This would need to be taken at a centre local to you. With the functional skills you will come out of it with an actual qualification rather than just a certificate. There is great flexibility with when the exams are and you can take them quite quickly.

IGCSE Maths
There would be two exams for Maths. This would need to be taken at a local centre. Again, you would come out of it with an actual qualification, however exams are less frequent to the functional skills and are only held in June or November time.

All of the above can be taken by distance learning and then it would just be the exams that would need to be taken at a centre.

What is functional maths?

You can buy books - think CGP sell them. Check they are current spec though as think they have just changed. Only trying will know if that is enough for you or if you need a course/tutor. Will still need a centre to sit it at though. I think some libraries offer functional skills courses usually only for 19yo and older but worth asking.

Functional Skills Maths level 2 is usually the minimum requirement for employers and colleges. It is your basic skills in maths to prove that you are capable.

My 15 year old did FS maths levels 1 and 2 from home. Just used the workbooks and then loads of past papers which we printed off the exam board website. Very simple way to study.