Get to Know the Exam Providers
A Guide to the Awarding Bodies
If you're looking to take the Functional Skills Mathematics Level 2 exam, one of the most important decisions you'll need to make is choosing an exam provider. There are several awarding bodies that offer this exam, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. In this guide, we'll take a closer look at the four main exam providers for Functional Skills Mathematics Level 2: Pearson Edexcel, City & Guilds, NCFE, and OCR.
Pearson Edexcel
Pearson Edexcel is one of the most popular exam providers for Functional Skills Mathematics Level 2. They offer a computer-based exam, which means that you can take the test at a time and location that's convenient for you. The exam is divided into three sections: number, measure and shape, and data handling. Each section is worth 20 marks, and you'll need to achieve a minimum of 38 marks in total to pass. One of the advantages of choosing Pearson Edexcel is that they offer plenty of resources and support, including practice papers and a free online learning platform. On the downside, their exam fees can be quite high compared to other exam providers.
City & Guilds
City & Guilds is another popular option for Functional Skills Mathematics Level 2. Their exam is also computer-based and covers the same three sections as the Pearson Edexcel exam. However, City & Guilds has a slightly different scoring system: each section is worth 25 marks, and you'll need to achieve a minimum of 50 marks in total to pass. One advantage of choosing City & Guilds is that they offer a range of online resources, including practice exams and a revision app. On the downside, their exam fees can also be quite high, and some learners have reported issues with technical problems during the exam.
NCFE
NCFE is a lesser-known exam provider for Functional Skills Mathematics Level 2, but they still offer a high-quality exam. Their test is paper based, which means that you'll need to take the exam at a specific location and time. The exam covers the same three sections as the other providers and is worth a total of 75 marks. One advantage of choosing NCFE is that their exam fees are often lower than other providers, making it a more affordable option. However, their resources and support are more limited than other providers, and some learners have reported issues with the quality of their exam papers.
OCR
OCR is another exam provider for Functional Skills Mathematics Level 2, and they offer a computer-based exam. Their exam covers the same three sections as the other providers and is worth a total of 100 marks. One advantage of choosing OCR is that they have a reputation for being reliable and consistent in their exam marking. They also offer a range of resources and support, including practice exams and study materials. However, their exam fees can be quite high, and some learners have reported that their exam papers are more difficult than those of other providers.
Comparison and Conclusion
When it comes to choosing an exam provider for Functional Skills Mathematics Level 2, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Each provider has its own strengths and weaknesses, and it's important to choose the one that best suits your needs and learning style. Pearson Edexcel and City & Guilds are both popular options with plenty of resources and support, but their fees can be quite high. NCFE offers a more affordable option, but their resources are more limited. OCR is a reliable and consistent provider, but their fees can also be quite high. Ultimately, the best way to choose an exam provider is to research each one and make an informed decision based on your own
Learn More
The following pages tell you more about the course in general and keep scrolling to see a summary of the course contents for each provider.
Tips, Tricks and Practice Exercises
Tips, Tricks and Practice Exercises
The Functional Skills Mathematics Level 2 exam is a crucial qualification that assesses your ability to use mathematical concepts and solve problems. It's an essential qualification for anyone who wishes to pursue further education, vocational training, or a career that requires strong numerical skills.
Tips for Mastering the Exam:
To master the Functional Skills Mathematics Level 2 exam, it's essential to understand the exam format and question types. The exam comprises three sections: number, measure and shape, and data handling. Time management is also crucial during the exam, as you have 2 hours to complete all sections. Therefore, you need to prioritize questions based on difficulty level and allocate time accordingly. Effective methods for working through difficult problems, such as breaking down problems into smaller steps, can also help you tackle challenging questions with ease. Additionally, developing a growth mindset and positive attitude towards the exam can help you perform better.
Tricks for Maximizing Your Score:
Maximizing your score in the Functional Skills Mathematics Level 2 exam requires you to focus on key concepts and formulas that are commonly tested. This includes basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and statistics. Common mistakes, such as misinterpreting questions or making calculation errors, can be avoided by carefully reading questions and checking your work. Strategies for eliminating incorrect answer choices, such as using estimation or substitution, can also increase your chances of selecting the correct answer. Finally, it's important to double-check your work, especially when dealing with complex problems that involve multiple steps.
Practice Exercises:
Practice exercises are an essential component of exam preparation. Sample questions and problems covering each section of the exam are provided below, along with detailed explanations of how to solve each problem.
Number:
- Calculate the value of 2 + 3 x 4.
- Simplify the expression: (6 - 2) x 5 + 8.
- If the radius of a circle is 5 cm, what is its circumference?
Measure and Shape:
- Calculate the perimeter of a rectangle with a length of 10 cm and a width of 5 cm.
- If a triangle has a base of 8 cm and a height of 12 cm, what is its area?
- If the volume of a rectangular prism is 120 cm³ and its length is 5 cm, what is its height?
Data Handling:
- What is the mean of the following set of numbers: 5, 7, 3, 9, 4?
- What is the mode of the following set of numbers: 5, 7, 5, 9, 4, 7?
- If the probability of an event occurring is 0.2, what is the probability of it not occurring?
Practice Exercises for Problem-Solving Questions:
Practice exercises are an essential component of exam preparation, especially for problem-solving questions. These questions require critical thinking, analysis, and creativity to arrive at the correct solution.
Here are a few practice exercises for problem-solving questions:
- A rectangular garden measures 12 meters by 8 meters. A path 1 meter wide is to be constructed around the garden. What is the total area of the garden and the path?
- A company has two types of printers: Printer A and Printer B. Printer A can print 25 pages per minute, and Printer B can print 40 pages per minute. If a document has 100 pages, how many minutes will it take to print the document using both printers together?
- A train travels from A to B at a speed of 40 km/h and returns from B to A at a speed of 60 km/h. What is the average speed of the train for the entire journey?
- A bag contains 4 red marbles, 3 blue marbles, and 5 green marbles. What is the probability of selecting a blue or a red marble from the bag?
Conclusion:
In conclusion, mastering the Functional Skills Mathematics Level 2 exam requires careful preparation, including understanding the exam format, time management strategies, effective problem-solving methods, and key concepts and formulas. By following the tips, tricks, and practice exercises provided in this guide, you can increase your chances of achieving the best possible score. Remember to stay positive and continue practicing, and good luck on your exam!
Answers
Here are the answers to the exercises above
Number:
- 14
- 28
- 31.42 cm
Measure and Shape:
- 30 cm
- 48 cm²
- 6 cm
Data Handling:
- 5.6
- 5 and 7
- 0.8 (or 80%)
Problem Solving:
1. To find the total area of the garden and path, we need to add the area of the garden and the area of the path.
The garden's area is 12 meters x 8 meters = 96 square meters.
The path is 1 meter wide on each side, so we need to add 1 meter to the length and width of the garden. The length becomes 14 meters (12 meters + 1 meter + 1 meter), and the width becomes 10 meters (8 meters + 1 meter + 1 meter).
Therefore, the area of the path is (14 meters x 10 meters) - (12 meters x 8 meters) = 140 square meters - 96 square meters = 44 square meters.
The total area of the garden and path is 96 square meters + 44 square meters = 140 square meters.
2. Printer A can print 25 pages per minute, and Printer B can print 40 pages per minute. Together, they can print 25 + 40 = 65 pages per minute.
Therefore, it will take 100 pages / 65 pages per minute = 1.54 minutes to print the document using both printers together.
Rounded to the nearest whole minute, the answer is 2 minutes.
3. We can use the formula: Average speed = Total distance / Total time. Let's assume the distance from A to B is d km. The time it takes to travel from A to B is d km / 40 km/h = d/40 hours. The time it takes to travel from B to A is d km / 60 km/h = d/60 hours. The total time for the entire journey is d/40 + d/60 = (3d + 2d) / 120 = 5d/120 = d/24 hours. The total distance for the entire journey is 2d km. Therefore, the average speed of the train for the entire journey is (2d km) / (d/24 hours) = 48 km/h.
4. The probability of selecting a blue or a red marble from the bag can be found by adding the probability of selecting a blue marble to the probability of selecting a red marble. The probability of selecting a blue marble is 3/12, or 1/4, since there are 3 blue marbles out of 12 total marbles in the bag. The probability of selecting a red marble is 4/12, or 1/3, since there are 4 red marbles out of 12 total marbles in the bag. Therefore, the probability of selecting a blue or a red marble is 1/4 + 1/3 = 7/12
Show me your skills
The best way to see which exam board is best for you is to try the practice/sample papers.
Contact me if you need help sourcing any.
1. Try the questions.
2. Mark them yourself or book me to mark them for you.
4. Decide if you'd prefer an online exam or a handwritten exam.
5. Speak to me to decide when a suitable time is to book your test.
MathsGoals can help you by:
1. Marking practice papers.
2. Tutoring to teach the whole course.
3. Tutoring to support an online course.
The way the tutor sessions work:
You choose a topic you need to improve on. We focus the session on that topic, ensuring you leave with the skills required to solve problem solving questions.
I only make regular weekly bookings in the evening but if you are available in the daytime, I am happy to book single sessions.