Welcome to FS Mate
Get ready for your Functional Skills exams, at your own pace
FS Mate helps you practise Maths, English and Digital skills for everyday life and work. It finds what you need to work on, gives you help when you get stuck, and tells you when you're ready for the exam.
We'll email you a sign-in link, so there's no password to remember. For ages 16 and over.
What is Functional Skills?
Functional Skills are qualifications in England for people aged 16 and over. They are about using Maths, English and Digital skills in real life. Many jobs, apprenticeships and courses ask for them. FS Mate covers all three subjects.
Maths
Level 1 and Level 2
Money, measures, fractions, charts and problem solving, using the kind of numbers you meet at work and at home.
English
Level 1 and Level 2
Reading, writing, spelling and grammar, plus speaking, listening and taking part in discussions.
Digital
Aiming for Level 1
Using devices, email, files, online forms and spreadsheets, and staying safe online.
How it works
Take a short starting check
A few questions show what you already know and suggest whether to aim for Level 1 or Level 2.
Practise what matters most
Your progress map shows every topic from red (practise this first) to green (got it). We always suggest a good next step.
Try a mock exam when you're ready
Timed practice papers open up once you've practised enough, so you know what the real exam feels like.
What's inside
Questions that never run out
Practise a topic as many times as you like. Every answer is marked straight away.
Help when you're stuck
An AI tutor gives you a small nudge first, then more help if you need it. As you improve, you'll need it less.
Learn a topic first
Short narrated slides and listening pieces explain a topic before you try the questions.
Real tasks for Digital
Do real jobs in practice apps, like sending an email, saving a file or filling in a form.
Speaking practice
Give a short talk, join a group discussion or have a conversation with AI people who listen and reply.
Your exam board
Tell us your exam board and questions and mock papers will feel more like your real exam.
Works the way you do
School isn't for everyone, and that's fine. FS Mate goes at your pace, with no pressure. You choose what helps you, and you can change it at any time.
See display settings →- Bigger text, easier-to-read fonts, more spacing and coloured backgrounds
- Read aloud, focus mode and fewer animations
- Choices like “reading lots of text is tiring for me”, so the tutor helps in a way that suits you
- Small goals and break reminders, so practice never feels like too much
Good to know
- What do I need?
- A free account and a phone, tablet or computer with a web browser. You book and sit your real exam with an exam centre, not with us.
- How does the AI tutor work?
- You connect your own AI in Settings. Several have a free option. You can still practise without one.
- Is it safe?
- Messages to the AI are checked to help keep everyone safe. Read our privacy notice to see what we keep and why.