Why a new online solution could be the key to increasing first-time pass rates in Functional SkillsIn this article the author discusses a digital practice paper that helps learners better prepare for Functional Skills exams by improving accessibility of content and offering tailored feedback and guidance.ARCHAIC APPROACHES IN AN ADVANCING WORLDFor many FE providers, cumbersome practice paper preparation for Functional Skills exams is mainly comprised of printed papers piling up on tutor desks or multiple screen shots of answers flooding tutor inboxes.It’s an outdated and inefficient way of preparing learners, whilst swamping tutors with marking. This is why, even before the Covid-19 pandemic, we were investing in the development of our online practice paper solution, knowing that to match the expectations of translating learner knowledge in digital formats, we needed to simulate experiences of final online exams.We all know that marking is among the top negative effects on workload1, leaving tutors with limited time for the development of course delivery and CPD2. Developing an online practice paper solution has facilitated the headspace for our tutors to reflect and improve on delivery and manage their work-life balance, which has in tern seen our first time pass rates increase to 86% in 2022-2023.This shift in exam preparation has enabled us to take advantage of the benefits of taking final exams online – mainly cheaper costs, quicker results and the ability to allow learners to complete their exams in the comfort of their own home. Being an integral part of the adaptation and advancement in our delivery and preparation is something that I take real pride in; the positive impact it has had on our learners and tutors has been well worth the investment.ROBUST PREPARATION ACKNOWLEDGED AS VITALMany Functional Skills learners are plagued by a history of falling short in exams, exam anxiety and general aversion to traditional education. They might have obtained the skills they need from their Functional Skills courses, but translating and demonstrating these in their exams is a whole other ball game.As Chief Examiner reports from the NCFE3 and City and Guilds4 state, to maximise chances of passing Functional Skills exams, learners need to make full use of sample papers to prepare for passing them. If your learners are completing their exams online however, how can you prepare for these on paper? How do you support learners who are being tutored online? How on earth do you tackle the looming anxiety gremlins ready to jump onto the shoulders of learners once the timer starts?We face a plethora of problems, but at Runway Training, we have found a solution that works for our learners and tutors and are now aiming to quantify the impact it has with backing from the NCFE and their Assessment Innovation Fund.We have digitalised all of our Functional Skills practice papers, making them as like the final exams as possible, giving learners an authentic simulation of their final exam experience. Our practice paper solution has been developed to provide the following features to replicate their final exams: a countdown timer; no use of spell checker in writing activities; graph functionality without the need to download software; use of flagging function to develop exam strategies and locking out of non-calculator section of maths exams after moving onto calculator sections.Our independent, moderated markers then mark the practice exams within 48 hours, providing bespoke feedback and revision prompts to learners (and to their tutors), with their score and indication as to whether they achieved a ‘pass’ or ‘not yet a pass’ in their attempt. All of this information is sent immediately to learners and tutors via email, quickly giving learners the praise they deserve for the efforts and achievements, as well as concise feedback regarding revision and gaps in knowledge.ADAPT, EVOLVE AND SUCCEEDDigital resources, like ours, are needed and wanted by...