Course Overview
Qualifications purpose
The Pearson Edexcel Functional Skills Qualifications in Mathematics at Level 2 are for learners who want to develop understanding and skills in mathematics. The qualifications give learners the opportunity to:
demonstrate a sound grasp of the underpinning skills and basics of mathematical skills appropriate to the level, and
apply mathematical thinking to solve simple problems in familiar situations.
Qualifications aims and outcomes
Functional Skills mathematics qualifications at these levels should:
indicate that students can demonstrate their ability in mathematical skills and their ability to apply these, through appropriate reasoning and decision making, to solve realistic problems of increasing complexity;
introduce students to new areas of life and work so that they are exposed to concepts and problems which, while not of immediate concern, may be of value in later life; and
enable students to develop an appreciation of the role played by mathematics in the world of work and in life generally.
Relationship with previous qualifications
The final registration date for legacy Functional Skills qualifications is 31 August 2019, with a final certification date of 31 August 2020. All registrations from 1 September 2019 must be made for the new 2019 qualifications. No late registrations will be permitted. To ensure that sufficient teaching and learning has taken place, centres must consider the needs of their learners when deciding when to make registrations and entries for the assessments
Pearson Edexcel Functional Skills Qualification in Mathematics at Level 2
Learners will need to meet the requirements outlined in the table below before the qualification can be awarded. The Pearson Edexcel Functional Skills Qualification in Mathematics at Level 2 consists of one externally assessed assessment. Each assessment comprises two sections – a non-calculator section (calculator prohibited) and a calculator section (calculator permitted). The assessments are available as paper-based and onscreen, on-demand assessment.
Assessment structure
Section A: Non-calculator 25 minutes 16marks 25%
Section B: Calculator 1 hour 30 minutes 48Marks 75%
Content areas
Using numbers and the number system – whole numbers, fractions, decimals and percentages
Using common measures, shapes and space
Handling information and data
Section A and Section B are presented as separate question and answer booklets, and must be taken in the same examination session.
Solving mathematical problems and decision making
Learners at Level 2 are expected to be able to use the knowledge and skills listed above to recognise and obtain a solution or solutions to a complex problem. A complex problem is one which requires a multistep process, typically requiring planning and working through at least two connected steps or processes. Individual problems are based on a combination of the knowledge and/or skills from the mathematical content areas (number and the number system; measures, shape and space; information and data). At Level 2 it is expected that learners will be able to address individual problems, some of which draw on a combination of all three mathematical areas and require learners to make connections between those areas.
Assessment weighting
Learners at Level 2 are required to demonstrate their understanding of underpinning skills and their ability to apply mathematical thinking to solve problems, as set out below.
Read, write, order and compare large numbers (up to one million)
Recognise and use positive and negative numbers
Multiply and divide whole numbers and decimals by 10, 100, 1000
Use multiplication facts and make connections with division facts
Use simple formulae expressed in words for one- or two-step operations
Calculate the squares of one-digit and two-digit numbers
Follow the order of precedence of operators
Read, write, order and compare common fractions and mixed numbers
Find fractions of whole number quantities or measurements
Read, write, order and compare decimals up to three decimal places
Add, subtract, multiply and divide decimals up to two decimal places
Approximate by rounding to a whole number or to one or two decimal places
Read, write, order and compare percentages in whole numbers
Calculate percentages of quantities, including simple percentage increases and decreases by 5% and multiples thereof
Estimate answers to calculations using fractions and decimals
Recognise and calculate equivalences between common fractions, percentages and decimals
Work with simple ratio and direct proportions
Calculate simple interest in multiples of 5% on amounts of money
Calculate discounts in multiples of 5% on amounts of money
Convert between units of length, weight, capacity, money and time, in the same system
Recognise and make use of simple scales on maps and drawings
Calculate the area and perimeter of simple shapes including those that are made up of a combination of rectangles
Calculate the volumes of cubes and cuboids
Draw 2-D shapes and demonstrate an understanding of line symmetry and knowledge of the relative size of angles
Interpret plans, elevations and nets of simple 3-D shapes
Use angles when describing position and direction, and measure angles in degrees
Represent discrete data in tables, diagrams and charts including pie charts, bar charts and line graphs
Group discrete data and represent grouped data graphically
Find the mean and range of a set of quantities
Understand probability on a scale from 0 (impossible) to 1 (certain) and use probabilities to compare the likelihood of events
Use equally likely outcomes to find the probabilities of simple events and express them as fractions
