ICT Functional Skills is a GCSE level qualification so earns you points towards college etc. It has a very simple 70% Pass/Fail system where:

• a Level 2 Pass will earn you 1/2 GCSE Grade B.
• a Level 1 Pass will earn you 1/2 GCSE Grade ?.

It is examined by a practical computer task taken under controlled (exam) conditions. It will be 2 hours long and should consist of two parts: Part A is normally internet based e.g research or email. Part B is a practical task where you are asked to produce some documents e.g. a spreadsheet, powerpoint etc.

Preparing for the Exam:

The following list is a guide to the sort of tasks you could be asked to complete:

1. design a poster
2. design a leaflet
3. create a newsletter
4. internet searching
5. using email
6. presentations
7. spreadsheet functions
8. drawing charts and graphs
9. relative and absolute cell referencing in spreadsheets
10. diagrams and logos
11. databases
12. database sorting and filtering (queries)

In the Exam:

As you are under exam conditions during the exam you WILL NOT be allowed to ask for help e.g. how to do something and during the second practical task the internet will be turned off. Don’t forget though you can use the F1 help button available in most applications. Remember, that although you maybe able to do something using a ‘cheat’ method the examiners are expecting you to do it properly e.g. adding up numbers using your head in a spreadsheet – the exam will expect you to use formulas. Finally, remember that the exam is not really that difficult – you should have done everything before in school. The difficult bit is doing making sure you do it quickly and accurately – GOOD LUCK.