<%ThisURL = Request.ServerVariables("URL") ThisURL = Right(ThisURL, Len(ThisURL) - InstrRev(ThisURL, "/"))%>



	Main qualification groups home

0 Then Response.Write("/14-19/qualifications/images/left-menu-right-arrow.gif") Else Response.Write("/14-19/11-16-schools/images/left-menu-down-arrow.gif") End If %>" alt="Down arrow" name="left_menu_367" width="15" height="15" id="left_menu_367" />	A levels
0 Then Response.Write("/14-19/qualifications/images/left-menu-right-arrow.gif") Else Response.Write("/14-19/11-16-schools/images/left-menu-down-arrow.gif") End If %>" alt="Down arrow" name="left_menu_368" width="15" height="15" id="left_menu_368" />	AEAs
0 Then Response.Write("/14-19/qualifications/images/left-menu-right-arrow.gif") Else Response.Write("/14-19/11-16-schools/images/left-menu-down-arrow.gif") End If %>" alt="Down arrow" name="left_menu_369" width="15" height="15" id="left_menu_369" />	Basic and key skills
0 Then Response.Write("/14-19/qualifications/images/left-menu-right-arrow.gif") Else Response.Write("/14-19/11-16-schools/images/left-menu-down-arrow.gif") End If %>" alt="Down arrow" name="left_menu_370" width="15" height="15" id="left_menu_370" />	GCSEs
0 Then Response.Write("/14-19/qualifications/images/left-menu-right-arrow.gif") Else Response.Write("/14-19/11-16-schools/images/left-menu-down-arrow.gif") End If %>" alt="Down arrow" name="left_menu_371" width="15" height="15" id="left_menu_371" />	Entry level
0 Then Response.Write("/14-19/qualifications/images/left-menu-right-arrow.gif") Else Response.Write("/14-19/11-16-schools/images/left-menu-down-arrow.gif") End If %>" alt="Down arrow" name="left_menu_372" width="15" height="15" id="left_menu_372" />	GNVQs
0 Then Response.Write("/14-19/qualifications/images/left-menu-right-arrow.gif") Else Response.Write("/14-19/11-16-schools/images/left-menu-down-arrow.gif") End If %>" alt="Down arrow" name="left_menu_373" width="15" height="15" id="left_menu_373" />	NVQs
0 Then Response.Write("/14-19/qualifications/images/left-menu-right-arrow.gif") Else Response.Write("/14-19/11-16-schools/images/left-menu-down-arrow.gif") End If %>" alt="Down arrow" name="left_menu_374" width="15" height="15" id="left_menu_374" />	Vocational qualifications
0 Then Response.Write("/14-19/qualifications/images/left-menu-right-arrow.gif") Else Response.Write("/14-19/11-16-schools/images/left-menu-down-arrow.gif") End If %>" alt="Down arrow" name="left_menu_375" width="15" height="15" id="left_menu_375" />	Brief guides to qualifications

	">Print this page

Basic and key skills

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 specifications aim to develop and recognise candidates’ abilities to apply these skills in ways that are appropriate to different contexts, in order to improve the quality of learning and performance. They are intended for everyone, from pupils in school to chief executives in large companies.

Six key skills are specified at levels 1 to 4; at level 5 there is a single key skills unit in personal skills development. The six key skills areas are:

communication
application of number
information technology
working with others
improving own learning and performance
problem solving.

Assessment is by test and a portfolio of evidence.

Qualifications are also available in adult literacy and numeracy at entry level and levels 1 and 2. The tests for these certificates are the same as the tests used for communication and application of number key skills at levels 1 and 2. The adult literacy qualifications are not approved for use pre-16 and students on post-16 full-time programmes are more likely to work towards key skills qualifications.

The development of key skills has been encouraged in schools and colleges through work-experience programmes and enrichment activities. Key skills are also developed as part of modern apprenticeships, in the workplace and as part of higher education programmes. The achievement of key skills is recognised in the UCAS tariff for admissions to higher education.

Also see

> Using qualifications and awards

QCA web links

> Key skills