Edexcel’s suite of Skills for Life qualifications comprises Adult Literacy and Numeracy (Entry Level, Level 1 and Level 2), ESOL, key skills and the Entry Level Certificate in ICT Skills for Life.
Adult Literacy and Numeracy
Although labelled adult qualifications, these qualifications are available to all candidates aged 14 years and over. They are offered at these levels:
- Entry (1, 2 and 3)
- Level 1
- Level 2
At Entry Level, each component is assessed by an externally set Edexcel paper. The paper is internally marked by the centre and a sample is externally verified by an Edexcel External Verifier.
At Levels 1 and 2, the qualifications are assessed through the national tests. The Literacy and Numeracy tests (the same as the key skills ‘Communication’ and ‘Application of Number’ tests, respectively) can be taken as both paper-based and onscreen tests. You can find out more about onscreen testing here.
Learners are not required to complete a portfolio of evidence for any of the Edexcel Adult Literacy and Adult Numeracy qualifications. The tests, at all levels, are based on the National Standards for literacy and numeracy.
You can find more information about Adult Literacy and Numeracy here.
ESOL: English for Speakers of Other Languages
ESOL (Skills for Life) qualifications are designed to support learners whose first language is not English. They are only available to adult learners over the age of 16.
The qualifications are offered at these levels:
- Entry Level
- Levels 1 and 2
- Speaking and Listening Entry Level (stand alone)
- Speaking and Listening Level 1 (stand alone)
- Speaking and Listening Level 2 (stand alone)
At each level, all modes are individually assessed by an externally set test paper. The paper is internally marked and a sample is externally verified. At Levels 1 and 2, the reading mode is the Adult Literacy National Test, which can be taken as both a paper-based and an onscreen test. (You can find out more about onscreen testing here.)
Learners are not required to complete a portfolio of evidence for any of the Edexcel ESOL qualifications. The tests, at all levels, are based on the National Standards for literacy and the ESOL core curriculum.
You can find out more about ESOL here.
Key skills
The key skills qualification comprises core and wider subjects.
The following core key skills are offered at levels 1 to 4:
- Application of Number
- Communication
- Information and Communication Technology
A test and portfolio must be achieved to obtain certification at any particular skill and level.
The following wider key skills are offered at levels 1 to 4:
- Improving own learning and performance
- Working with others
- Problem solving
For these, only a portfolio achievement is required to obtain certification at any particular skill and level.
You can find more information about key skills here.
Entry Level Certificate in ICT Skills for Life
We offer this Adult ICT qualification at Entry 1, Entry 2 and Entry 3.
At Entry Level, each component is assessed by an externally set Edexcel paper. The paper is marked internally by the centre, and a sample is externally verified by an Edexcel External Verifier.
The qualifications have been designed to be flexible so that they can be integrated into other learning. Assessment is based on an achievement model, designed to support confidence.
Candidates are not required to produce a portfolio of evidence.
We recommend that learners progressing from the Entry Level qualification take the Award in Digital Applications (AiDA). You can find out more about AiDA here.
You can find out more about the Entry Level Certificate in ICT Skills for Life
here.