What are proxy qualifications? 

Proxy qualifications are those qualifications that have been agreed to assess the same knowledge and skills as aspects of the key skills. Because of this overlap, candidates can claim exemption from parts of the key skills when they are able to provide proof of achievement of the proxy qualification.  

The QCDA has a full list of valid proxy qualifications.

 
Proxy claim process

Proxy claims can be made at any time using Edexcel Online. All claims must be preceded by a proxy entry. For instructions on how to make proxy claims on Edexcel Online, please see Making portfolio or proxy claims. 

Please remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that the rules for claiming proxies are adhered to. 

To ensure that you are following the three-year rule, you should claim at the end of the key skills programme. Please ensure that:

• the candidate has claimed/is also claiming the relevant key skills portfolio
• where the candidate is claiming a test and portfolio as a proxy, this is within the three-year period
• where the candidate is claiming towards the end of the programme (for example, claiming a proxy in March and waiting to submit a portfolio in June), the three-year period must expire after June. 

Once a proxy claim has been made for a candidate, no further withdrawals or amendments will be permitted.

 
Modern Apprenticeship candidates

Candidates for Modern Apprenticeships who wish to claim ‘relaxation’ should read the details of the ‘relaxation ruling’ which can be found in 'Key Skills Policy and Practice — Your questions answered’. You can download this from the QCDA website.

 
Proxy audit requirements

All evidence used to support proxy claims must be logged so that, if the Skills for Life team ask to see it, you can provide accurate details in order to complete the audit.  

A sample of proxy claims made over the year will be sent to you, and you will need to complete the details of the evidence that supports these claims. The information that should be logged is detailed below:

Required

• Qualification used to claim proxy (eg GCSE English Literature)
• Grade achieved (eg A)
• Date achieved (eg when the GCSE was certificated: 31/08/04)
• Candidate’s name

Recommended

• Key skills registration number (eg U123456)
• Proxy claimed (eg Communication, Level 2) 

Please note that if you fail to provide these required details, your centre may be unable to make claims on demand via Edexcel Online.  

For further information on the proxy audit process, please refer to the ‘Proxy Guidance to Centres’ document below.