In the event you need further support in accessing or completing your BKSB assessment, you can check out our FAQs below. If your question has not been answered, please get in touch with our admissions team who will be able to provide more information.

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Telephone: 0207 501 5000

Introduction

• What is a BKSB assessment and why do I need to complete one?

  The BKSB Initial Assessment identifies your general working level in English and mathematics, from Pre-entry to Level 2.

• If I am applying for a discrete English & maths course do I need to complete a BKSB assessment?

  If you are applying to study a discrete English and maths course, you will need to undertake a separate assessment and the English and maths team will decide this.

• Do I need to take a BKSB assessment if my qualifications are outside of the UK?

  A qualification comparison (ENIC) will be carried out to identify the UK qualification equivalent. If the transcribe is not able to confirm evidence of the relevant English & maths qualifications, you will be required to sit a BKSB initial assessment at the point of entry..

• I have recently come to the UK from the EU and I do not have any qualifications for English & maths, will I need to sit a BKSB assessment?

  Depending on the course that you are applying for you may be required to sit a BKSB assessment to assess your current levels of English & mathematics. The Information, Advice & Guidance team and interviewing tutor will be able to provide you with further information.

• Do I need to take a BKSB assessment for any course that I apply for?

  There are a list of courses that you would not need to complete a BKSB assessment for as other assessments will be applied instead, please see as follows: -

  All ESOL courses, All Supported Learning courses, L3 17th Edition Wiring Regulations, L3 Initial Verification & Certification for Electricians CG, L3 Periodic Inspection & Testing for Electricians CG, Young People’s Engagement

Getting Started

• How do I access the BKSB assessment?

  You should receive an email with a link to access the assessment

  1. Clickhttps://lambethcollege.bksblive2.co.uk/bksbLive2/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fbksblive2%2fstaff%2ftutorhome.aspx
  2. Login using the student reference and Default Password you have beenprovided
  3. If it is your first time to login to BKSB, the terms of use will appear, please read and scroll down to the bottom of the page and click I Agree. If not, proceed to nextstep.
  4. Type the default password in Current Password (please note that the default password should be entered in lowercase)
  5. Type a New Password (please note that the new password must be 8 characters minimum or more, and must contain one capital letter and one number e.g.College1)
  6. Type the New password again to confirm the NewPassword
  7. Click ChangePassword

• I did not receive my link to access the BKSB assessment. How can I access the assessment?

  The link to the BKSB assessment is sent shortly after the course interview appointment. Please check your SPAM folder if you have not received the email within 24 hours of your interview appointment invite email.

  If you have still not received the link or you are having difficulties logging in please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Can I configure the assessment settings to make it easier for me to complete the assessment?

  Via the Settings cog at the top left of the screen you have access to a number of options, such as the facility to change the background and font colours. Please note: there is currently no audio for this assessment.

• I cannot complete the assessment owing to a learning difficulty, what options do I have?

  If you require additional learning support to complete the assessment this should be declared at the application stage and our Additional Learning Support team will be on hand to assist you further.

Taking the Assessment

• Which assessments do I need to complete ahead of my course interview?

  You should complete the Focus Functional Skills initial assessments for English & maths. The Diagnostics assessment is not required at this stage. If at any point during the assessment the title bar says Diagnostic instead of Initial Assessment, please stop and return to the home page.

• What resources can I use to help me revise and prepare for the assessment?

  If you wish to do any preparation for your assessment, we recommend that you visit a website such as www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise where you will be able to revise any areas you feel may need some practice.

• Can I use a calculator when completing the mathematics BKSB assessment?

  Phones and calculators are not allowed. For maths questions, where it states that you may use a calculator, a button to an onscreen calculator will appear on the right sidebar.

• Whilst completing my assessment it froze and I have been logged out, will I lose all my progress?

  The system records the answers to each question as you progress. If your computer crashes, loses power, you accidentally close your web browser or you opt to exit mid-assessment, you can continue the assessment at a later time from the last point you reached.

• What happens if I do not know the answer to a question?

  If you do not know the answer to a question, you can simply skip to the next one by clicking on the ‘Next’ button at the bottom-right of the assessment screen. The system will record this as an incorrect answer.

Completing the Assessment

• Once I have completed the assessment how do I view my results?

  When you have reached the end of the assessment, you can view your results by clicking on the ‘Results’ button at the bottom-right of the assessment screen. Results are automatically saved on the system and the interviewing tutor will have access to your results before your interview appointment.

• After completing the assessment what happens next?

  The results of your assessment will assist the interviewing tutor in identifying your current working levels for English & mathematics. This alongside your course interview and any relevant qualifications will help in determining the outcome and provide either an offer for the course, referral to another course or referral to Information, Advice & Guidance.

If you need a visual guide on how to access and/or complete the BKSB Initial assessments, please watch our how-to video