This proxy list is available for those seeking key skills certification and who wish to claim achievement of part of the assessment of key skills based on having achieved a qualification that covers similar content to the key skills.

Candidates for modern apprenticeships who wish to claim 'relaxation', should read the details of the 'relaxation ruling' in paragraph 8.5 of Key skills policy and practice: your questions answered (downloadable using the link on the right of this screen).

What are proxy qualifications for key skills?

Proxy qualifications are those qualifications that have been agreed to assess the same knowledge and skills as aspects of the key skills. Because of this overlap, candidates can claim exemption from parts of the key skills when they are able to provide proof of achievement of the proxy qualification.

Which qualifications are proxy qualifications?

Only qualifications that appear on the list below have been mapped for the type of overlap required and can guarantee that the candidate has been assessed in the appropriate knowledge and skills. This list of qualifications is reviewed periodically to ensure that it is appropriate. The list that appears below has been agreed for use from September 2005. Only qualifications that can be quality controlled by the regulators for England (QCA) Wales (ACCAC) and Northern Ireland (CCEA) can be included on the list of proxy qualifications. Qualifications from other countries, or qualifications that do not appear on this list are not agreed proxies and can not be used as such.

Is there a time limit for claiming proxy qualifications?

Exemptions claimed by proxy qualifications must be made no longer than three years from the date of award to the date of claim for certification of the key skill. The 3-year rule applies to all approved proxy qualifications.
As there is much variation in awarding bodies' actual certification dates for national qualifications, the following will apply:

• where candidates have taken GCEs, Vocational A levels, GNVQs, or GCSEs during the summer exam season, (for example, a GCSE English qualification sat during the summer of 1999), then that qualification will be deemed to have been certificated on the last day of August the same year (in this instance, 31 August 1999)
• where candidates have taken GCEs, Vocational A levels, GNVQs, or GCSEs during the winter exam season, (for example, a GCSE Mathematics qualification sat during the winter of 1999/2000), then that qualification will be deemed to have been certificated on the last day of March immediately following, (in this instance, 31 March 2000)

Example

A student achieves GCE A Level English Literature (Grade B) in the summer session of 1999. Accordingly, the student is deemed to have been certificated on 31 August 1999. The student then completes the Communication Key Skill portfolio at Level 3 in July 2001. Because the student achieved a GCE A Level English Literature qualification within the three year currency rule (in this instance, 31 August 1999 - 30 August 2002), the student is exempt from sitting the key skills Communication test at Level 3 and can claim certification in the Communication key skill at Level 3 in July 2001. The student must claim the certificate in the Communication key skill at Level 3 by 30 August, 2002.

Why three years?

Candidates who achieve key skills are achieving a skill at a nationally agreed standard. The achievement provides assurance that the candidate has the knowledge and understanding required by the key skill, but also has demonstrated the ability to apply that knowledge in everyday situations. In order to maintain this assurance of knowledge, skills and application, the candidate can only claim the exemption based on a proxy qualification achieved in the recent past (ie. 3 years). This ensures that the skills are current skills, not those that may have been achieved many years ago which the candidate may not be able to recall and reproduce with assurance.

How is the proxy system administered?

All key skills awarding bodies must recognise agreed qualifications. Centres should therefore contact their awarding body to confirm the procedures for recognising proxy qualifications on behalf of candidates. Candidates must produce a valid certificate or a valid awarding body results slip as proof of achievement in the proxy qualification.

Communication key skill: proxy exemptions

The qualification below	at	exempts a candidate from the Communication:
	Grade
GCE A Level English Language	A-E	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCE A Level English Literature	A-E	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCE A Level English Language and Literature	A-E	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCE AS Level English Language	A-E	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCE AS Level English Literature	A-E	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCE AS Level English Language and Literature	A-E	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCSE English	A*-C	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCSE English	D-G	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
GCSE English Literature	A*-C	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCSE English Literature	D-G	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
AQA GCSE General Studies	A*-C	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
AQA GCSE General Studies	D-G	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
Certificate in Adult Literacy level 2**	Pass	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Certificate in Adult Literacy level 1**	Pass	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
GCE A level Welsh	A-E	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCE A level Welsh Second Language	A-E	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCE AS level Welsh	A-E	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCE AS level Welsh Second Language	A-E	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Advanced Subsidiary VCE in Welsh Second Language	A-E	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCSE Welsh	A*-C	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCSE Irish (Gaeilge)	A*-C	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCSE Welsh	D-G	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
GCSE Irish (Gaeilge)	D-G	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
GCSE Welsh Literature	A*-C	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCSE Welsh Literature	D-G	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
GCSE Welsh Second Language	A*-C	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
GCSE Welsh Second Language	D-G	No	No	No	No	No	No
Welsh Second Language GNVQ units (intermediate)	Pass-Distinction	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
Welsh Second Language GNVQ units (foundation)	Pass-Distinction	No	No	No	No	No	No
Foundation Award in Welsh Second Language	Pass-Distinction	No	No	No	No	No	No
Intermediate Award in Welsh Second Language	Pass-Distinction	No	No	No	No	Yes	No

*Those qualifications in bold do not act as proxies for the key skills tests, but are within suites of qualifications where different levels or grades do act as proxies.

Application of number key skill: proxy exemptions

	at	exempts a candidate from the Application of number:
	Grade
GCE AS Use of Mathematics	A-E	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
GCE A Level Mathematics	A-E	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCE A Level Pure Mathematics	A-E	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCE A Level Further Mathematics	A-E	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCE A Level Statistics	A-E	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCE AS Level Mathematics	A-E	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCE AS Level Pure Mathematics	A-E	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCE AS Level Further Mathematics	A-E	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCE AS Level Statistics	A-E	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCE AS Mechanics	A-E	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCE AS Discrete Mathematics	A-E	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCE AS Applied Mathematics	A-E	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCSE Mathematics	A*-C	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCSE Mathematics	D-G	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
GCSE Use of Mathematics	A*-C	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCSE Use of Mathematics	D-G	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
Certificate in Adult Numeracy level 2**	Pass	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Certificate in Adult Numeracy level 1**	Pass	No	No	No	No	Yes	No

Information and communication technology key skill: proxy exemptions

The qualification below	at	exempts a candidate from the Information and Communication Technology:
	Grade
Edexcel Level 1 Award in Digital Applications for IT Users (New for September 2006)	Pass	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Edexcel Level 2 Award in Digital Applications for IT Users	Pass	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Edexcel Level 1 Certificate in Digital Applications for IT Users (New for September 2006)	Pass	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Edexcel Level 2 Certificate in Digital Applications for IT Users	Pass	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Edexcel Level 1 Diploma in Digital Applications for IT Users (New for September 2006)	Pass	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Edexcel Level 2 Diploma in Digital Applications for IT Users	Pass	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
OCR Level 2 Certificate for IT Users (CLAiT Plus)	Pass	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
OCR Level 3 Certificate for IT Users (Advanced CLAiT)	Pass	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
BCS Level 2 Certificate for IT Users (ECDL)	Pass	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCE A Level Computing	A-E	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
GCE A Level ICT	A-E	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
GCE AS Level Computing	A-E	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCE AS Level ICT	A-E	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
GCE AS Level in Applied ICT	A-E	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
GCE AS Level in Applied ICT (Double Award)	AA-EE	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
GCE A Level in Applied ICT	A-E	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
GCE A Level in Applied ICT (Double Award)	AA-EE	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
GCSE Computer Studies	A*-C	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
GCSE Computer Studies	D-G	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
GCSE ICT	A*-C	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
GCSE ICT	D-G	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
GCSE in Applied ICT (Double Award)	A*A*-CC	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
GCSE in Applied ICT (Double Award)	DD-GG	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
GCSE Information Systems	A*-C	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
GCSE Information Systems	D-G	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Vocational A Level ICT Double Award	A-E	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Vocational A Level ICT	A-E	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Vocational Advanced Subsidiary ICT	A-E	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Advanced GNVQ (Part Award, Single Award or Double Award) ICT	Pass/Merit/Distinction	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Intermediate GNVQ (full award or part one award) ICT	Pass/Merit/ Distinction	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Foundation GNVQ (full award or part one award) ICT	Pass/Merit/Distinction	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes

*Please note that for qualifications pre-2003 the terms ICT and IT are interchangeable.

**Although this qualification is included on the proxy list, the test that is used for this qualification is the same as the key skills test. Therefore, this is not a standard proxy. It is included on the proxy list only so that it is clear that candidates that have this qualification do not have to also pass a separate key skills test

Special note for GCSE short course ICT and GCSE short course information technology

The qualification below	at	exempts a candidate from the Information Technology:
	Grade
GCSE Short course ICT	A*-C	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
GCSE Short course ICT	D-G	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes

The qualification below	at	exempts a candidate from the Information technology:
	Grade				one of the two specified purposes in the L2 portfolio?		one of the two specified purposes in the L1 portfolio?
GCSE Short Course Information Systems	A*-C	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
GCSE Short Course Information Systems	D-G	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes

Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) national courses that act as proxies for key skills

Following discussion between the Regulatory Authorities for England (QCA), Wales (ACCAC) and Northern Ireland (CCEA) and the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) it has been agreed that certain SQA qualifications will act as proxies for the key skills tests. These arrangements mirror those already agreed for GCSEs and A/AS levels in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Please check the tables below for details.

Communication key skill: proxy exemptions

The qualification below	at	exempts a candidate from the Communication:
	Grade
Standard Grade English	General	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
English and Communication	Intermediate 1	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
Standard Grade English	Credit	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
English	Intermediate 2	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
English and Communication	Higher	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
English (Previously English and Communication)	Advanced Higher	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No

Application of number key skill: proxy exemptions

The qualification below	at	exempts a candidate from the Application of number:
	Grade
Standard Grade Mathematics	General	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
Mathematics	Intermediate 1	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
Standard Grade Mathematics	Credit	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Mathematics	Intermediate 2	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Mathematics	Higher	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Mathematics	Advanced Higher	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Applied Mathematics	Advanced Higher	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No

Information and communication technology key skill: proxy exemptions

The qualification below	at	exempts a candidate from the Information Technology:
	Grade
Standard Grade Computing Studies	General	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
Computing Studies	Intermediate 1	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
Standard Grade Computing Studies	Credit	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Computing	Intermediate 2	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Information Systems	Intermediate 2	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Computing	Higher	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Computing	Advanced Higher	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Information Systems	Higher	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Information Systems	Advanced Higher	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No

Proxy arrangements for the Irish leaving certificate

The qualification below	at	exempts a candidate from the Communication:
	Grade
Leaving Certificate English (higher level)	A1-C2	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Leaving Certificate English (higher level)	C1-D3	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Leaving Certificate English (ordinary level)	A1-B3	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Leaving Certificate English (ordinary level)	C1-D3	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
The qualification below	at	exempts a candidate from the Application of Number:
	Grade
Leaving Certificate Maths (higher level)	A1-C2	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Leaving Certificate Maths (higher level)	C1-D3	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Leaving Certificate Maths (ordinary level)	A1-B3	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Leaving Certificate Maths (ordinary level)	C1-D3	No	No	No	No	Yes	No