Last updated 16th September 2005
by Helen Nichols
Version 2 website
Launch 22nd October 2001

The main differences in what you must do at the different levels is described below:

Level 1 Problems will be given and have only a small number of ways to solve them. You will work closely with someone to show you can: understand the problem and identify options for solving it, try out options, using support and advice given by others, follow step-by-step methods you have been given to check if the problem has been solved, and describe the results.

Level 2 The main features of each problem will be able to be clearly identified. You will use some unfamiliar resources and show you can: identify the problem and come up with options for solving it, plan and try out options, obtaining support and making changes when needed, apply given methods to check if the problem has been solved and explain your approach to problem solving.

Level 3 Problems will be complex with several ways of tackling them. You will use a variety of methods and resources and show you can: explore the problem, compare options and justify the option you select to take forward, plan and implement your option, review progress and revise your approach as necessary, apply agreed methods to check if the problem has been solved, and review different approaches to problem solving.

When do I use the Key Skill of Problem Solving?

• recognising a difficulty and planning how to get over it
• working out how to do a task o getting people to agree on next steps
• collecting information to show what choices there are and their possible effects