Edexcel is the first awarding body to offer an on-screen version of entry level 3 qualifications in numeracy and a reading test for literacy.  The launch of the new tests are in line with the Government’s agenda to raise adult skills levels. This was one of the main recommendations from the Leitch Report, given an estimated 6.8 million adults have numeracy skills at below Entry level 3. 

These adult literacy and adult numeracy qualifications are sometimes referred to as adult basic skills or ALAN, but can be taken by learners of any age. A ssessment for each component was up to now only available as a paper-based test. The new on-screen version is far more accessible.  More than 30,000 learners who are currently on waiting lists to take these tests can now do so though Learn Direct Centres and work based learning.  The Edexcel on-screen tests meet the needs of a specific group of adults and 14-19 year olds.  School learners specifically find the electronic nature of the tests more motivating.  Learners have the ability to practice on-screen until they are ready to pass the test. 

The news has been welcomed by adult training centres. Steve Andrews, Manager at Bath & NE Somerset Training Services, said: 

“We believe that this development will be a positive addition to our local curriculum offer - and the efficiency of online delivery will greatly support our learners.”

The qualifications help learners to improve reading, writing and number skills, enabling them to function more effectively with every day tasks, improve working conditions and wages.  People with poor literacy and numeracy skills earn up to 11% less on average than people who have sufficient literacy skills (NIACE).  It has been estimated that the cost to industry of poor basic skills among the workforce is £10bn annually.  People with poor literacy, numeracy or language skills tend to be on lower incomes or unemployed and are likely to be more prone to ill health and social exclusion. 

53-year-old Ley Doyle is one learner whose life has been transformed because of being able to take tests for basic skills on-screen.  Speaking about her experiences with LearnDirect, she said:

“Because of where I live the traditional learning methods like attending college weren’t really an option for me.  If I couldn’t learn at home, I couldn’t learn at all. Obviously gaining the practical skills is great but the real benefit for me has been proving to myself that I can still learn.  It’s given me so much more confidence and I feel my brain is really switched on.”

The Government’s target is that by 2020, 95 per cent of adults will have the basic skills of functional literacy and numeracy.  They define this as Level 1 literacy and Entry Level 3 numeracy. Therefore these new tests, provided by Edexcel, support both the numeracy and literacy targets.