How to pass Functional Skills maths Level 1 — and the pass mark

As at Level 2, the Level 1 pass mark is set per paper by the awarding body so that the standard stays constant. On Pearson Edexcel papers it has generally been around 55–60% of the 64 marks. Aim to be scoring over 60% on practice papers before you book, and you've a margin for a harder paper.

Section A is 25 minutes, no calculator, 16 marks: mostly one-step questions on place value, simple fractions and percentages, and mental arithmetic. Section B is 1 hour 30 minutes with a calculator, 48 marks: short problems set in everyday contexts — a shopping bill, a bus timetable, a class survey — across number, measures and data.

There's no pass mark per section; it's your total. But Section A is where quick, careful arithmetic bags easy marks, and Section B is where method marks keep you afloat even when an answer is off.

Fractions and percentages of amounts (Level 1 sticks to 5% steps, so learn 10% and 5% cold), money calculations, converting units of length, weight, capacity and time, perimeter and area of rectangles, reading tables and charts, and the mean and range. Those come up on every paper. Get them reliable and the pass follows.

Week one: take a diagnostic and get your list of weak skills. Week two and three: ten to fifteen minutes a day on those skills, weakest first, until each one feels boring. Week four: two timed practice papers, mark them with the mark scheme, and fix whatever they show up. Then book.

If you're using ResitReady, choose Level 1 at sign-up so every question you see is at the right level, and let the readiness meter tell you when to book — it only turns green when all three areas are there.