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.

If you are working towards and Open Awards qualification and think you are ready for an assessment, you must speak to your provider. They will be able to make arrangements for assessment, including scheduling any controlled assessments (exams) with Open Awards. You cannot schedule an assessment directly through Open Awards.

If you are completing an assessment with an Open Awards invigilator, you will have been sent a link to join.  This link will not be active until 15 minutes before the assessment is due to take place. Please wait until 15 minutes before the assessment is due to start before trying to join.

If you are still experiencing issues, please contact customer services at customer.services@openawards.org.uk or call us on 0151 494 2072.

A resit can only be booked once a ‘fail’ result has been confirmed and released to the provider. The standard scheduling rules for the specific assessment and/ or qualification will apply.

A provider must make sure appropriate further learning is put in place before booking the resit.

The rules for modifying an assessment schedule will depend on the assessment and/ or qualification.

Online assessments, at any level, being invigilated by the provider can be modified up to two (2) hours before the start time.

Online assessments being invigilated by Open Award (including qualification assessments and apprenticeship assessments) can be amended up to 10 working days before the planned date/ time. If it is under 10 working days the assessment would need to be cancelled and rebooked and a resit fee will be applied.

If you are struggling to access the XAMS Assessment Platform, please contact customer services at customer.services@openawards.org.uk or call us on 0151 494 2072.

To access the XAMS Assessment Platform, you must be set up as an Assessment Administrator with Open Awards and be approved for the relevant qualification/ assessment. You will be sent login details and will then be able to login here. If you are struggling to access the XAMS Assessment Platform, please contact customer services at customer.services@openawards.org.uk or call us on 0151 494 2072.

The XAMS Assessment Platform is an on-screen assessment platform used by Open Awards for external assessments. This includes:

• Functional Skills (Entry level 3, Level 1 and Level 2)
• Apprenticeship Assessment Knowledge tests
• Essential Digital Skills (Entry level 3 and Level 1)
• Multiple-choice Tests (short qualifications)

XAMS is Open Awards’ online platform used to book, manage, and undertake controlled assessments. You will see it referred to as the XAMS Assessment Platform.

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.