Key Skills qualifications

If you want to acquire or develop the skills to help you get on at school, FE college, work or home, or show what you already know, a Key Skills qualification could be for you.

Key Skills: what are they?

Key Skills refer to the skills that are commonly needed in a range of activities in education and training, work and life in general. They are transferable skills which means once you've got them, you can use them in different situations.

Key Skills qualifications can:

give you more confidence in your own abilities
boost your CV and show employers what you can do
help you move on to other qualifications such as an HND or degree
show what you have achieved in your learning programme

Key Skills qualifications can be taken by anyone, from pupils in school to chief executives of large companies. There are no minimum entry requirements and you can study them alongside other types of qualifications like GCSEs.

Where can you take them?

You can take Key Skills qualifications at various locations, for example schools, FE colleges and other approved centres. They are also offered by some employers, the armed forces and the Prison Service.

You can study Key Skills as part of a full-time or part-time course at school or FE college,

FE colleges Northern Ireland (Department for Employment and Learning website)

Subjects available

There are six different Key Skills subjects:

Main Key Skills

communication
application of number
information and communications technology (ICT)

Wider Key Skills

working with others
improving own learning and performance
problem solving

How you are assessed?

Each Key Skill is assessed separately. Your assessment is based on a portfolio you produce, which is assessed internally by your school, FE college or trainer. This will be a folder of evidence that shows you have the necessary skills to pass.

Key Skills tests

For the three main Key Skills, you also take a test, which is marked externally by an awarding body.

At levels 1 and 2, the test consists of 40 multiple choice questions, each with four possible answers. The test lasts for an hour, or one hour 15 minutes for application of number. At level 3, the test lasts for 90 minutes; you have to write your answers to the questions, or complete a practical task for the ICT test.

The test at level 4 lasts for two and a half hours.

Retakes

If you don't pass the test, generally you can retake it as many times as you want. However, it's a good idea to check this with your particular learning provider.

Take a practice test online

You can take a practice test online for the three main Key Skills qualifications at the 'keyskills4u' website.

Take a practice key skills test online (Keyskills4u website)

Where can they take you?

Getting a Key Skills qualification at one level can lead to further Key Skills qualifications at higher levels. They can also help you move on to other qualifications, such as an HND or degree.

UCAS points

Key Skills attract points on the 'UCAS Tariff' for entry into higher education. The points you get for each Key Skill depend on the level of qualification you pass:

Key Skills level	UCAS points
2	10
3	20
4	30

UCAS Tariff (UCAS website)

Help and advice

Speak to your teacher at school or FE college, visit the 'keyskills4u' website or ask your employer about Key Skills courses available where you work.