Career Seekers

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Career Seekers Frequently Asked Questions

General

Account questions

Ordering information and issues

General

Why is the certificate based on the Applied Mathematics, Reading for Information, and Locating Information skills?

ACT has profiled more than 16,000 individual jobs across the country to determine the skills and skill levels needed to succeed in them. According to our findings, three skills are highly important to most jobs:

  • Reading for Information—comprehending work-related reading materials, from memos and bulletins to policy manuals and governmental regulations.
  • Applied Mathematics—applying mathematical reasoning to work-related problems.
  • Locating Information—using information from such materials as diagrams, floor plans, tables, forms, graphs, and charts.

A solid foundation of these three skills is essential for a well-qualified workforce.

A recent American Management Association survey found that 38 percent of job applicants taking employer-administered tests lacked the reading and math skills needed in the jobs for which they applied.

Information retrieval and problem-solving skills—what the Locating Information test measures—are highly relevant in our information-based business culture.

Which businesses will accept a career readiness certificate?

ACT will be partnering with affiliated states to let businesses know about the National Career Readiness Certificate, what it signifies, and how it can be used to find skilled workers. Several companies are already accepting The Certificate from statewide or regional WorkKeys-powered certificate programs.

What makes the National Career Readiness Certificate unique?

The Certificate is based on well-established WorkKeys tests that are documented as making a difference for employers. WorkKeys has been in use for nearly two decades and is already widely accepted by thousands of companies all over the world.

The National Career Readiness Certificate is a proven, successful system. National Career Readiness Certificates have been used for more than two years at the state- and community-wide levels.

Also, WorkKeys exams are compliant with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regulations.

Because WorkKeys tests assess essential foundational skills, they are applicable to and necessary for virtually every job. "Soft skills" are important, but essential foundational skills such as reading, math, and locating information are the bedrock of training for just about every job.

Why should I get a National Career Readiness Certificate?

The Certificate is a portable credential that shows employers anywhere in the United States that you have attained a certain level of workplace employability skills in Reading for Information, Applied Mathematics, and Locating Information. These workplace skills are highly important to the majority of jobs in the workplace. Employers may consider your certificate level, along with other educational and background information, when making employment decisions.

How do I qualify for a certificate?

To qualify for a National Career Readiness Certificate, you must take the WorkKeys Applied Mathematics, Reading for Information, and Locating Information assessments. Certificates are awarded in the three categories listed below:

  • Bronze Level signifies an individual has scored at least a Level 3 on each of the three assessments and has the necessary foundational skills for 35% of the jobs listed in the WorkKeys Occupational Profile Database.
  • Silver Level signifies an individual has scored at least a Level 4 on each of the three assessments and has the necessary foundational skills for 65% of the jobs listed in the WorkKeys Occupational Profile Database.
  • Gold Level signifies an individual has scored at least a Level 5 on each of the three assessments and has the necessary foundational skills for 90% of the jobs in the WorkKeys Occupational Profile Database.

What do I do with a certificate?

You can present your National Career Readiness Certificate to employers when you apply for a job to show them that you have attained a certain level of workplace employability skills. Also, some employers use the WorkKeys assessments as part of their hiring process. Already having a certificate may allow you to skip additional testing.

For how long is the National Career Readiness Certificate valid?

The National Career Readiness Certificate is valid for five years beyond the first test date of the WorkKeys assessments included in that certificate. Your skill levels may change over time, so you should update your WorkKeys skill levels after a five-year period.

Account questions

Where do I go for account support?

For support with creating your account, viewing your WorkKeys tests, and qualifying for certificates, please call 1-800/WORKKEY (967-5539).

Where can I take assessments to get a certificate or to qualify for a higher level of certificate?

Find a testing center near you

How long does it take before results are posted to the site and eligibility made available?

If you have taken a computer-based WorkKeys assessment or requested Express Score®, your results will be available as soon as the results arrive in our data warehouse. Paper-and-pencil test results will become available about 10 days after your site has submitted your test for scoring.

Will other people have access to my test scores?

No, test scores and personal information, besides your name, are not made available, even when you share a certificate.

When you supply your unique certificate URL to others, they will only be able to view your name and the level of certificate for which you qualify and which you have chosen to share.

If I don't order a copy of the National Career Readiness Certificate, how will my employer or potential employer know that I qualified for a specific certificate level?

You have the option of sharing your certificate information with others when you create a certificate online. If you choose to share your certificate information, you will be provided with a unique URL that can be shared with those whom you wish to view your certificate information. By going to that webpage, interested parties will see your name and the certificate level you have achieved. Personal information and actual test scores are not shown at the shared URL. Employers can also verify your certificate number online.

Ordering information and issues

Can I place an order over the phone?

Currently, orders for certificates can only be placed online.

Do I have to pay for each certificate that I order?

A fee of $15 per certificate is charged for ordering certificates that are delivered to you by mail. Electronic certificates that can be shared with employers can be generated at no cost.

How long will it take to get a certificate?

Certificates generally arrive 3–4 weeks from the time the order was placed. Certificates are mailed in separate envelopes.

If I don't order enough copies now, can I request additional copies later?

You can order a maximum of five of any given type of certificate for which you qualify.

I ordered a certificate, but it hasn't arrived. Who should I contact?

Please allow 3–4 weeks from the time the order was placed to receive your certificate. If you have not received your order after 4 weeks, please contact 1-800/WORKKEY (967-5539) or email WorkKeys@act.org. Please include your account user name in your email.

My name is spelled wrong on my certificate. Who should I contact?

Please contact 1-800/WORKKEY (967-5539) or email WorkKeys@act.org. Please include your acount user name in your email.