FAQs - Essential Digital Skills

The required level of Essential Digital Skills qualification for a learner can be determined based on their current digital skill level, which can be assessed using diagnostic tools, including provider assessments. This will depend upon whether learners already have the necessary digital foundation skills and how fluent they are in applying digital skills in their life and work.

Essential Digital Skills (EDS) qualifications at Open Awards are aimed at learners aged 16 and above, as this aligns with the national guidelines and funding criteria for adult education. The National Standards for EDS are specifically intended to support adult learners. If you have learners under the age of 16, alternative qualifications are likely to be more suitable. Please contact the team on enquiries@openawards.org.uk to discuss your curriculum requirements.

Yes, funding for Essential Digital Skills qualifications is currently available through the following funding streams:

• 16-19 EFA
• Adult Skills Fund (ASF)
• Community Learning
• MCA/ GLA
• Tailored Learning

Please remember to check your specific funding requirements and any learner eligibility criteria.

Our Essential Digital Skills qualifications have been developed in line with the National Standards for Essential Digital Skills. These standards set out the digital skills needed for work and life across two skills levels; a single Entry level and Level 1. Our qualifications are accredited by Ofqual and assigned to either Entry level 3 or Level 1 to comply with Ofqual’s rules.

Essential Digital Skills is a different qualification to Functional Skills ICT (legacy) and Digital Functional Skills. Essential Digital Skills (EDS) focuses on fundamental digital literacy needed for everyday life and work tasks, while Digital Functional Skills covered a a more in-depth understanding of digital tools and their application.

The internet must only be used in the performance task component. It must not be used for the knowledge component. This requirement is clearly stated on the assessment material and in our Qualification Guide.

Where the knowledge component is being taken within a ‘classroom’ environment, learners are required to undertake the assessment through the Safe Exam Browser which does not allow for internet access. This in line with Open Awards XAMS User Guide and Open Awards Instructions for Undertaking Controlled Assessment.

The exception would be in the event of the assessment being facilitated through remote invigilation where internet access is required to facilitate access to assessment. In this event, the controlled assessment environment would be established and maintained in line with Open Awards Instructions for Undertaking Controlled Assessment Remotely.

If you don’t agree with the result issued, a learner or Provider can submit an enquiry about results (EA1 Form) to request an administrative check and/or review of marking. The fees outlined in our pricing information are refunded if the enquiry results in a change to results.

There is a sample assessment and associated mark schemes for each level available on our website.

Additional practice assessments are in development and will be available to our approved providers via The Portal.

Providers have the flexibility to allow learners to attempt the two components at times that best suit the learner. However, both components must be undertaken within 20 working days of each other.

The practical task is internally marked and internally quality assured by providers. Approved providers must ensure their markers and internal quality assurers have undertaken Open Awards standardisation activity to ensure they are familiar with how to interpret the mark schemes. This must take place before markers start marking the practical assessment. All marking must be completed within the XAMS Assessment Platform. Markers will have access to both the mark schemes and the learner evidence within XAMS.

The knowledge assessment is externally marked automatically within the XAMS Assessment Platform.

All marks are subject to external quality assurance before results are released.