Focus Functional Skills
The UK’s leading eLearning solution for Functional Skills English and Maths – now fully updated for the Functional Skills Reforms
Focus Functional Skills is our online teaching and learning resource designed to improve candidates’ essential skills, knowledge and understanding of English and maths required to sit their Functional Skills exams.
The eLearning platform is fully compatible with desktop, tablet and mobile devices and can be accessed remotely for distance learning all via the bksbLIVE 2 learning platform.
The aim of using our online teaching and learner assessment tool is to support the teaching of transferable skills required in the classroom and the workplace.
It also prepares the candidate for their maths and English exams by offering guided learning support and tailored revision resources.
How our online resource platform works
Our market-leading eLearning products include everything you need for truly outstanding assessment and development and are in line with the Functional Skills reform standards.
The platform is divided into five core areas designed to support the student through all key elements of their English and maths exams.
Our five-step process
Step 1: Initial Assessment

A dynamic and intelligent online assessment that accurately identifies a learner’s current working level for English and maths. Ideal for use at the start of a programme of learning, the Initial Assessment uses complex algorithms to select the most suitable questions for each learner.
- Written for the reformed functional skills standards
- Identifies from Pre-Entry to Level 2
- All learners have a bespoke set of questions
- Accessible from the bksbLIVE 2 learning platform
Step 2: Diagnostic Assessment

When a learner completes the Diagnostic Assessments, designed to be taken after the Initial Assessment, in English and maths, it provides them with an accurate level for the elements of:
- Reading
- SPAG and Writing
- Number
- Measure
- Shape and Space
- Statistics and Data
Along with each of the chapters within. It also shows the distance they are from progressing to the next level.
- Written for the reformed functional skills standards
- Identifies from Pre-Entry to Level 2
- All learners have a bespoke set of questions
- Accessible from the bksbLIVE 2 learning platform
Step 3: Learning Resources

After initial and diagnostic assessments, learners are sign-posted to relevant resources from their individual learning plan to work on skill gaps.
This includes engaging content and exercises which can be accessed on any device.
- Fully interactive and self marking
- Provide the essential underpinning knowledge base for Functional English and maths
- Suitable for tutor-led and independent learning – ideal for classroom, workshop, work-based and distance learning
- In-depth tracking and reporting
Step 4: Progress Check

The Progress Checks evaluates a learner’s advancement at the end of a learning module. The results then link to the learner’s learning plan and reports.
The Progress Checks are fully interactive and self-marking, giving learners immediate feedback and invaluable in providing progression data for tutors.
- Written for the reformed functional skills standards
- Identifies from Pre-Entry to Level 2
- All learners have a bespoke set of questions
- Accessible from the bksbLIVE 2 learning platform
Step 5: Exam Practice

The final step in the process assists each learner with their preparation for functional skills English and maths exams.
Learners are given exam style practice questions to work through at their own pace, which can be accessed from the Prepare section of the Functional Skills Reform course.
- Interactive and self-marking
- Rigorous assessment for learners
- Two sets of exam practice at each level
- Calculator and non-calculator practice for maths
- Review-answer feature for learners
- Guidance on timing in line with awarding body assessments
Why choose bksb?
Winner of ‘Company of the Year’ at the BETT Awards in 2016, 2017 and 2018
Used by 89% of FE colleges
Recognised internationally for our outstanding assessments and resources for literacy and numeracy
Typically, our clients’ success rates are 18% higher than the national average
Used by over 20 million learners
Want to know more?
If you have any questions, or would like to attend one of our free functional skills events, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Alternatively, for an online trial, quotation or upgrade, follow the links on the right.