Key Skills

Free-standing Mathematics Qualifications offer many opportunities for students to develop key skills. While working on FSMQs students will be able to gather much of the evidence they need for key skills accreditation. The specification for each FSMQ includes a detailed analysis of links with the three key skills, Application of Number, Communication and IT.

Application of Number
FSMQs allow students to develop a branch of mathematics in some depth. Application of Number is concerned with developing a wider range of skills. Even so, the work produced for a particular FSMQ will provide most of the evidence required for the Application of Number key skill at the same level or at the level above. For example, you will find that by taking just one level 2 unit, your students can cover most of the Application of Number key skill at level 3.

Communication
Working on FSMQs creates opportunities for students to develop their skills when:

• taking part in discussion,
• producing written material,
• using images,
• reading and responding to written material.

As a result students can gather evidence of their competence in the Communication key skill.

Information technology
Working on FSMQs also creates opportunities for students to develop their skills when using computers to:

• prepare information,
• process information,
• present information,
• evaluate the use of IT.

As a result students can gather evidence of their competence in the IT key skill.