Taking Key Skills Tests

The Best Way

Key Skills work best when portfolio evidence is generated from work done by learners during their vocational course. Candidates can see how these skills are needed in their everyday work, and are more likely to value them and actively take part in them than if they are treated as something that has to be done to satisfy a framework or a college policy.

At best, this should involve the learner doing one piece of work for their childcare course which is assessed for childcare content, and then assessed against the Key Skills specifications.

The level at which learners take a Key Skill requires serious consideration from the learner and the Centre, and should begin with a clear understanding of the level that the candidate is currently working at. There is little or no point in a candidate gaining a Level 2 Key Skill in an area that they have already gained a GCSE grade A* to C.

Our experience would indicate that most learners on Level 3 childcare courses would struggle to pass a Level 3 Key Skill test, and are only likely to have the opportunity to produce portfolio evidence at this level in Communication. However, it is important to remember that many learners are working towards a framework which has specific Key Skill goals regardless of the needs of specific learners.

Key Skills and CACHE

The syllabus for most CACHE courses allow for most of the evidence for Communication to be found easily. Evidence for the wider Key Skills can generally be found, if the assessor has negotiated specific targets with individual learners, from work carried out by the learner during their placement. If the learner has access to a computer, and some teaching on how to use it correctly, much if not all the evidence for ICT can be generated from their coursework.

Most Centres have found the Application of Number portfolio requirements to be beyond the requirements for CACHE courses. However there are certain common areas - physical development of a child, environment and outings - that provide useful starting points for number work that relates to children’s development.

Key Skills – a National Qualification

The Key Skills standards and guidance have been written by the Qualifications Curriculum Authority (QCA), and are awarded by a number of accredited awarding organisations. Centres should be aware that every effort is made to ensure that Key Skills are a national qualification and that regardless of where a learner studies or which awarding organisation they are registered with, the tests that they must take and the standard that their portfolio evidence must reach are the same. QCA arranges for the production of the external assessments, which at any given test window are the same for all awarding orgnaisations, and have a jointly set pass mark that is the same for all candidates.

Further information on Key Skills International Frameworks

Sector Skills Council
Qualifications Curriculum Authority (QCA)
Department for Education and Skills
Joint Council for Qualifications