We recently provided you with an update on how our Functional Skills onscreen and remote invigilated assessments will differ once the Flash software becomes obsolete. To support you with this transition we’ll make sample onscreen assessments available. You’ll be able to access maths and English sample assessments from March 20 2023 on the NCFE website to help you get familiar with the new format. We’ll also provide guidance documents for you to use alongside the sample assessments. Further guidance on assessment functionality will also be made available prior to the launch in May 2023.

Due to the changes in the software, a temporary change to the booking windows will be implemented to support the transition. This will mean from 20 March 2023, booking windows on Flash (current) papers will be able to commence immediately but must end on or before 30 April 2023. It will not be possible to book an assessment for a window date range that crosses over the time period from the end of April to the beginning of May 2023.

In a further communication over the next couple of weeks, we’ll outline how and when bookings should be made onto assessments within the new software format, available from 1 May 2023.

Therefore, over the next few weeks, while the transition takes place, the standard option of a 42-day booking window will be on hold temporarily, to allow centres to complete bookings onto the current version, and to allow sufficient time for centres to familiarise themselves with sample papers and additional guidance, before booking onto our revised versions.