At this stage, it would be sensible to concentrate on the three main Key Skills. Just to remind you, these are: Communication Application of Number Information and Communication Technology

Once you pass any, or all, of these courses, you'll be given a certificate, which will prove that you are proficient at those skills.

Each Key Skill is split into five levels and you'll start on the one that is best suited to your situation. Don't worry, you won't have to figure this out for yourself. Your school or college will give you some tests, which are designed to work out which level you should be studying for.

Depending on the level you're studying, you'll be given a list of specific tasks you must be able to prove you can do. Throughout the course, you'll work on these and gather together a portfolio of evidence. That is, anything you've done that shows you've managed to complete that task.

At the end of the course, you'll have to sit a test. There aren't any grades for this, you either pass or have to re-take. It's possible to re-take the test as many times as you want, but you'll need to check all the ins and outs with your school or college.