The Functional Skills Level 2 pass mark is set by Highfield each session – typically around 50%. Here is what that actually means and how to clear it.

Booking your Functional Skills Level 2 exam takes about ten minutes. Here is exactly how to do it – and what to do in the days before.

Every August, hundreds of thousands of students open their results and feel their stomach drop. And then – if they didn’t pass GCSE English – they’re told they have to keep going. Resit in November. Resit again in summer. Repeat until you pass or turn 18.

What most students (and most parents) are never told is that there is another option. One that’s officially recognised, accepted by employers and universities, and far more achievable than the GCSE resit treadmill.

It’s called Functional Skills Level 2 English. And if you got a grade 2 or below in GCSE English, you can take this instead.

Most UK universities accept Functional Skills Level 2 in place of GCSE grade 4. Here is the full picture – including the courses where they still want GCSE.

Both Functify courses get you to the same Functional Skills Level 2 pass. The right one depends on how confident you are and how much time you have.

Functional Skills Level 2 and GCSE grade 4 both unlock the same career doors – but the route there is completely different. Here is how to choose.