The Functional Skills Level 2 English Writing exam is a test of precision. It’s not just about having good ideas; it’s about presenting them in the correct format, with the right tone, and with flawless spelling, punctuation, and grammar (SPaG).
After marking hundreds of mock papers, we see the same simple mistakes costing students a pass again and again. The good news? They are all easily avoidable. Here are the five most common mistakes and how you can fix them.
Mistake 1: Ignoring the “Audience and Purpose”
Every question will tell you who you are writing for (the audience) and why you are writing (the purpose). Ignoring this is the single biggest mistake you can make.
•The Fix: Before you write a single word, ask yourself: “Am I writing a formal email to my boss, or an informal article for my peers?” This will determine your tone, your vocabulary, and your structure. A formal complaint letter should not start with “Hey!”
Mistake 2: Using the Wrong Format
If the question asks for a report, it needs to look like a report (headings, subheadings, bullet points). If it asks for a letter, it needs your address, their address, and the date. Getting the format wrong shows the examiner you haven’t paid attention.
The Fix: Memorise the key features of the main text types:
- Letter
- Article
- Report, and
- Review.
Our Model Answer Packs provide perfect examples of each format to use as your template.
Mistake 3: Writing in Long, Rambling Paragraphs
Examiners are looking for well-structured, easy-to-read text. A giant “wall of text” with no breaks is an instant red flag. It suggests a lack of planning and makes your ideas difficult to follow.
The Fix: Use short, focused paragraphs. Aim for one main idea per paragraph. This simple change makes your writing clearer, more professional, and much easier to mark.
Mistake 4: Simple SPaG Errors
Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar (SPaG) account for a huge portion of your marks. Simple, careless errors can be the difference between a pass and a fail.
The Fix: Leave 5-10 minutes at the end of the exam purely for proofreading. Read your work out loud (quietly) to spot awkward phrasing. Double-check for common errors like confusing “your” and “you’re,” or missing capital letters for names and places.
Mistake 5: Not Developing Your Points
Many students state an idea but fail to explain it. For example, they might write, “The park is unsafe.” This is a statement, not a developed point.
- The Fix: Use the “Point, Evidence, Explain” (PEE) method.
- Point: “The park has become unsafe for local children.”
- Evidence: “For example, last week there were reports of broken glass near the swings.”
- Explain: “This poses a significant risk of injury and deters families from using the facilities.”
By avoiding these five common mistakes, you will instantly elevate the quality of your writing and put yourself on the path to a comfortable pass.
Want to see these principles in action? Download our FREE Highfield Model Answer Pack to see a full-mark response and learn from the best.