Functional Skills Maths Level 2, online with the exam included

Functional Skills Maths Level 2 is a practical maths qualification at Level 2, the same level as GCSE grades 9 to 4 on GOV.UK's list of qualification levels. At Lift College it is the TQUK qualification 610/2624/4, assessed by one exam in two sections: 30 minutes non calculator and 90 minutes with a basic calculator, graded pass or fail. Most learners take 8 to 16 weeks, from £39.99 a month when you pay today, with exam entry and one sitting included, or try it free for 7 days first.

Yes. You study online with a named UK tutor, there is no placement, and the one TQUK exam is sat on screen with remote invigilation from home, or at a TQUK approved centre if you prefer. You need a computer with a webcam and a quiet room for the home sitting. Exam entry and one sitting are included, results come in about six working days, and most learners finish in 8 to 16 weeks.

The TQUK exam is 120 minutes in one continuous sitting: Section A is 30 minutes without a calculator and Section B is 90 minutes with a basic calculator. Section A carries 25% of the marks and Section B 75%. Results come in about six working days.

In Section B, yes: you can bring a basic, non scientific calculator for the 90 minute section. Section A, the first 30 minutes, is non calculator, and it carries 25% of the marks.

It is not a lower level: both are Level 2, the same level as GCSE grades 9 to 4, which is why Functional Skills Maths Level 2 is often called a GCSE equivalent. Many adults find the format more manageable. It is one 120 minute on-screen exam of everyday problems on money, percentages, measures and data, with no algebra-heavy topics such as quadratics or trigonometry, and you sit it when your tutor confirms you are ready. GCSE Maths with AQA is three 90 minute papers sat in the May/June or November series. TQUK does not publish a fixed pass mark, and you can resit as many times as you need (a resit fee applies). Lift College recommends Level 1 standard before you start.

Under the 2026 to 2027 apprenticeship funding rules, English and maths are mandatory for apprentices aged 16 to 18, and on Level 3 and higher apprenticeships they must hold or achieve an approved Level 2 in both before they can complete. For apprentices aged 19 and over they are optional, though many employers still ask for them. The rules accept Functional Skills maths up to Level 2 as well as GCSE.

Three content areas, the same for every awarding body because they follow the Department for Education subject content: using numbers and the number system, using common measures, shape and space, and handling information and data. Numbers covers negative numbers, fractions, decimals and percentages (including percentage change), ratio, direct and inverse proportion, and formulae in words and symbols. Measures, shape and space covers money, budgeting and compound interest, metric and imperial conversions, speed and density, area, perimeter and volume, scale drawings, coordinates, and plans and elevations. Handling information and data covers mean, median, mode and range, grouped frequency, the probability of combined events, and scatter diagrams. Problem solving runs through all three and carries 75% of the marks.

You can if you qualify for funding, through a college or adult learning service rather than Lift College. In England, adults aged 19 or over who do not hold a GCSE grade 4 (old grade C) or equivalent in maths have a legal entitlement to fully funded maths study up to Level 2, and that funding is delivered by colleges and adult learning services, not by private online providers. Lift College's online course is self-funded, from £39.99 a month when you pay today, and every plan starts with a 7-day free trial, with nothing charged until day 8. Check whether you qualify in Functional Skills Level 2 funding and eligibility.