Initial Assessment
A market-leading, bespoke assessment designed to determine a student’s current working level and recommend the most suitable course for them to enrol on.
Introducing
Pass and Open Awards
Open Awards and Pass have joined forces to bring training providers excellent functional skills qualifications. This partnership combines Open Awards’ status as an Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation with Pass’s proven online learning platform, giving training providers a streamlined route to deliver high-quality, regulated functional skills qualifications.
Open Awards and Pass have joined forces to bring training providers excellent functional skills qualifications. This partnership combines Open Awards’ status as an Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation with Pass’s proven online learning platform, giving training providers a streamlined route to deliver high-quality, regulated functional skills qualifications.
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Initial Assessment
A market-leading, bespoke assessment designed to determine a student’s current working level and recommend the most suitable course for them to enrol on.
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Subject Knowledge Assessment
A course-specific assessment that measures a student’s capability across the full curriculum, providing personalised topic recommendations to help focus and tailor their revision.
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Full course features are available on our website to give your learners the absolute best support possible in the studies.
UNMATCHED DIAGNOSTIC CAPABILITIES
Accurate Initial Assessments. 100% Free.
A market-leading initial assessment that identifies a student's starting level and recommends the right course, with bespoke reporting and permission controls available through teacher and organisational manager accounts.
Precise Initial Level
Pass accurately determines a learner's current level, giving the best starting point for their journey with us.
Subject Knowledge Assessments
Each course comes with a subject knowledge assessment to help you discover your strengths and weaknesses.
Recommends a Course to Enrol On
We will give you our best advice as to which of our fantastic courses would best help you and your learners.
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Subject Knowledge Assessment
Subject knowledge assessments give both learners and educators a clear picture of where strengths and gaps lie across the full course curriculum, ensuring revision time is spent where it’s needed most. By identifying specific areas of weakness early on, learners can take a more focused and targeted approach to their studies, improving their chances of success.
Without a clear understanding of what a learner already knows, revision can become unfocused and time-consuming – subject knowledge assessments remove the guesswork and provide a structured path forward. They also allow teachers and training providers to tailor their support more effectively, ensuring every learner gets the guidance most relevant to their individual needs.
Determine Current Level
The diagnostic tests work together to establish a learner’s Current Level – a measure of their attainment within the functional skills curriculum. Calculated from the initial assessment and continuously updated as learners complete exercises on the functional skills student platform, the Current Level is powered by a sophisticated algorithm that weighs question difficulty and applies weighted scores.
Unlike a simple percentage, this approach accounts for a learner’s ability to tackle more challenging questions, while placing less emphasis on gaps in easier areas. The result is a more accurate and fair reflection of true ability – ensuring learners are placed on the right course and given targeted support where they need it most.
What sets the Pass approach apart is its ability to identify capable learners who may still have significant knowledge gaps – something no other assessment or diagnostic test can do.
ASSESSING STUDENT LEVEL
Current Level Breakdown
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Entry Level
The learner has limited prior knowledge and may find some areas of the course challenging. While they could potentially be considered for Level 1, they are currently working at Entry Level.
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Level 1
The learner is ready to begin the Level 1 course. This will strengthen their understanding of core concepts and build a solid foundation ahead of progressing to Level 2.
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Level 2
The learner is ready to start the Level 2 course, where they should build confidence quickly and be well-placed to achieve their qualification within a relatively short timeframe.
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Exam Ready
The learner is prepared to sit their exam. They may wish to take the Subject Knowledge Assessment to identify any Level 2 topics worth reviewing, though this is not essential before proceeding to the exam.
PASS YOUR FUNCTIONAL SKILLS EXAMS WITH
Online Invigilation
The ideal choice for learners who are less comfortable with technology, Open Awards offers a more personal and supportive exam experience that takes the stress out of sitting a qualification online. Rather than navigating an automated system, learners are guided through the process via a 1-1 Zoom video call with a human invigilator, ensuring they feel confident and supported from start to finish.
Exams can be taken on a wide range of devices – including PCs, laptops, Macs, and Chromebooks – making it straightforward for learners to use whatever they have available. With exam slots running Monday to Saturday and the ability to book as early as the next day, flexibility is built in at every step. Papers are reviewed and marked by a human examiner rather than an automated system, and results are typically returned within 6–16 working days.
FAQs
Do Pass offer free diagnostic assessments?
Yes – Pass diagnostic assessments are completely free, no matter how many learners you’re working with. There are no hidden costs or usage limits, so whether your cohort is 10 or 1,000, the diagnostic tests remain free of charge. At Pass, making valuable resources widely accessible is a core commitment – which is why both free course options and free diagnostic tests are available to ensure no learner is left without the support they need.
What types of invigilations are there?
At Pass, we have two types of invigilation. There is the online human invigilation offered by Open Awards and online remote invigilation offered by TQUK.
Who else has Pass partnered with?
Pass has several high-profile partners. Leeds United, Nestle and Bournemouth University are all training providers partnered with Pass. You can find out more about our work with other organisations here.
Is the Initial Assessment Unique or is accessible elsewhere?
It is only possible to access the Pass initial assessment through the pass services. Look out for the ‘Powered by Pass‘ logo.
How do the Subject Knowledge Assessments work?
Pass subject knowledge assessments measure how well a learner understands each area of the curriculum, building a detailed picture of where their knowledge is strong and where it falls short. By pinpointing specific gaps, these assessments make it possible to put together a truly personalised learning plan that speaks directly to each learner’s individual needs. The result is a more focused and efficient learning experience, with time and energy channelled into the areas that will make the greatest difference to a learner’s progress.
Who determines which course a learner is enrolled onto?
While the Pass initial assessment provides valuable guidance, the final decision on course enrolment always lies with the training provider or educator. It is designed to inform and support that decision-making process, but the educator retains full control over which course is the right fit for their learner.