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We can confirm that we will be continuing with this into the next year.ÌýIf this is something you have not yet explored as an option for your learners, we have guidance on our website for and .

The key here is that words are not counted by our examiners, they are there as aÌýguidance.ÌýThat being said,ÌýshortÌýanswers are very likely to be self-penalising, inÌýthat it is unlikely that a very short response will contain sufficient appropriate and/or effective detail to be awarded a higher band mark. Learners should therefore be encouraged to develop their responses to include detail. Really, they should be expanding on the bullet points we provide.Ìý

The simple answer is no, the work is marked holistically, rather than there being a set penalty forÌýparticular errorsÌýand thatÌýL1 and L2 Writing is marked without explicit reference to the Entry spelling lists.ÌýManyÌýLevelÌý1 Writing markersÌýwill notÌýhave seen the spelling lists.

A higher degree of spelling accuracy is required, including of more complex words, as learners progress through the levels.

AÌýjudgment is made about which Mark Scheme descriptor best fits the overall quality of spelling in a piece of writing. The number and nature of misspellings contribute to this judgment, but spelling mistakes are not counted or classified.

Yes, I personally have taught English andÌýmathsÌýfor 15 years across many levels and settings and the chairs have had considerable, if not more, experience too. We need to remember that Functional Skills qualifications are not awardingÌýorganisationÌýqualifications. The standards are set by the DfE and maintained byÌýOfqual. In terms of the questions, we are trying to ensure the contexts are as learner appropriate as possible.ÌýThis is whyÌýweÌýcarriedÌýout research at the start of the development and earlier this year. We haveÌýFS learners of all ages and backgrounds and choosing topics that are accessible to all is a priority when designing papers. We have had a lot of positive feedback on the steps we have taken to ensure thatÌýthe majority ofÌýlearners can engage with our assessments.Ìý

We would not say best practice as other methods are available that work just as well, but this does help stimulate discussion and give the learners an opportunity toÌýsummeriseÌýat the end.

Our publishedÌýSLAÌýisÌý28ÌýdaysÌýand all tests are marked and returned within that timeframe. The SLA starts form the date we receive the test file (onscreen) or script (paper based). All tests are marked by an examiner and a proportion of those are reviewed by a senior examiner to ensure there is a consistent andÌýaccurateÌýapplication of the agreed markÌýscheme. If we release a new set of tests, which we do regularly throughout the year, then we need the full 28 days toÌýstandardiseÌýthe examining team, completeÌýan initialÌýquality review of each examiner's marking and set the pass threshold for the new tests.

Writing pieces are given one mark for Composition and one mark forÌýSPaG, mirroring the specification, and it is these two marks that are available as feedback forÌýcentres. Teachers are best placed to assess learners' work formatively and focus individual learning onÌýparticular aspectsÌýof spelling, punctuation and/or grammar asÌýappropriate.

The key thing is to make sure that assessors are aware of this requirement through training and regular meetings. Should an assessor forget or have technical problems, then we wouldn't demand that the activity was done again as this would be unfair on the learners.ÌýCentresÌýshould have processes in place to stop this happening again and should make their SV aware that this has happened.Ìý

It depends. For face-to-face assessments only a sampleÌýhave toÌýbe videoed and so it would be possible not to video the activity (provided thatÌýit wasn't the only assessment). We require all remote assessments to be videoed and so theÌýcentreÌýwould have to apply for an exemption.

TheÌýminimumÌýrequirement is one recording of each activity at each level.ÌýCentresÌýare encouraged to make more recordings available if they can.

We have reviewed this requirement and adjusted it in lineÌýwithÌýLevel 1 and 2. So a sample of learners is now required rather than al learners. Details are in the latest version of the .Ìý

This is something we are working on, so watch this space.

AtÌýlastÌýwe get to the question everyone was waiting for.ÌýEntry Level Chair Triceratops, L2 ChairÌýIguanodonÌýand L1 Chair Diplodocus, by a short neck.Ìý