Key Skills Qualifications

“Key Skills” are skills that are commonly needed for success in a range of activities in education and training, work and life in general.

The Key Skills Qualifications

• Communication
• Information and Communication Technology
• Application of Number

eAssessment

ASDAN is now able to offer online tests for Key Skills and Basic Skills (Adult Literacy and Numeracy – ALAN.

Click here for more information Wider Key Skills

• Working with Others
• Improving Own Learning and Performance
• Problem Solving

The key skills qualifications aim to develop and recognise each candidate’s ability to apply these skills in ways that are appropriate to different contexts and to improve the quality of their learning and performance. They are intended for everyone, from pupils in schools to chief executives in large companies.

Evidence for the key skills may be drawn from work undertaken within:

GCSE, GCE, AVCE, GNVQ and NVQ Qualifications, ASDAN programmes, Work Experience, employment, voluntary or youth work

Click here to enter the secure area for registered centres.

Key Skills Update

Statement from the Quality Improvement Agency regarding future support arrangements for Key Skills:

Although the Key Skill Support Programme (KSSP) comes to an end on the 31st March 2008. The main Key Skills qualifications will remain available until at least 2010 (with final accreditation in 2012), at which point the new functional skills qualifications will take their place.

The Wider Key Skills Qualifications will remain available until at least 2013, when the new entitlement to Diplomas incorporating Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS) comes into force.

ASDAN Key Skills Team at Central Office

• Brian Hobbs Director of Qualifications and Accreditation
• Sarah Hardwick Head of Qualifications and Accreditation
• Julia King Quality Assurance Manager
• Toby Collis Quality Assurance Manager

Costs and Registration

Please complete the Application for Registration form if you would like to register with ASDAN for Key Skills.

Key Skills Standards 2004

Please click here to access the key skills qualifications standards and guidance. For further guidance, please see the QCA website

Key skills: Example Portfolios
Click on the above link to access exemplars (for both main and wider key skills on the QCA website)

Information on Additional Fees (PDF)
The following charges may be made to centres in the event of late registrations, entries and withdrawals, and for enquiries and appeals.

1. Administration fees for late registration, entry and withdrawal
2. Charges for enquiries and appeals
3. Charges for postal moderation
4. Charges for additional centre visit
5. Charges for replacement certificates
6. Minimum charge for registration/moderation

Regulations and Guidance Relating to Candidates with Particular Requirements for Joint Council approved regulations

Exemptions

For details of proxy qualifications to act as exemptions from parts of the key skills qualifications please see the QCA website

Download example tests

• Application of Number
• Communication
• Information and Communication Technology

Test Series 2007/2008

A list of test dates and submission deadlines
Important Information for Centres Using ICT Level 3 & 4 Tests

Chief Examiners Reports

2007

• January (Application Of Number)
• January (Communication)
• January (ICT)
• March (Application Of Number)
• March (ICT)
• March (COM)
• June (AON)
• June (ICT L3)
• June (ICT L4)
• November (COM)
• November (AON)
• November (L3 ICT)

2008

• March (Application Of Number)
• March (ICT)
• March (COM)
• June (COM)

Curriculum 2000

For information on how Key Skills (and the ASDAN Universities Award) can meet the requirements of breadth and enrichment for Curriculum 2000 please see the QCA website