The test consists of 35 items, 20 in Reading skills and 15 in Math skills. Items are in the
pre-Level 3, Level 3, and Level 4 ranges of difficulty.
Reading for Information Items
|
| Level |
Characteristics of Items |
Skills |
pre 3
View sample item |
- Based on signs, labels, lists, and instructions found in the workplace
- Text consists of single words, phrases, or no more than three or four simple, direct sentences
- Universal signs and symbols are also used
- Materials cannot be compared directly to a grade level of reading because of the work-related vocabulary
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- Recognize the overall meaning of a message or the most obvious details
- Recognize basic vocabulary and common work-related and safety-related words (such as personnel and caution) which are likely to appear in business signage
- Identify a step in its correct order and demonstrate understanding of the behavior required by the instructions
- Follow direct instructions in the same situation described in the reading materials by applying information and reasoning
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| Level |
Characteristics of Items |
Skills |
3
View sample item |
- Reading materials include basic company policies, procedures, and announcements
- Reading materials are short and simple, with no extra information
- Reading materials tell readers what they should do
- All needed information is stated clearly and directly
- Items focus on the main points of the passages
- Wording of the questions and answers is similar or identical to the wording used in the reading materials
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- Identify main ideas and clearly stated details
- Choose the correct meaning of a word that is clearly defined in the reading
- Choose the correct meaning of common, everyday workplace words
- Choose when to perform each step in a short series of steps
- Apply instructions to a situation that is the same as the one in the reading materials
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| Level |
Characteristics of Items |
Skills |
4
View sample item |
- Reading materials include company policies, procedures, and notices
- Reading materials are straightforward, but have longer sentences and contain a number of details
- Reading materials use common words, but do have some harder words, too
- Reading materials describe procedures that include several steps
- When following the procedures, individuals must think about changing conditions that affect what they should do
- Questions and answers are often paraphrased from the passage
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- Identify important details that may not be clearly stated
- Use the reading material to figure out the meaning of words that are not defined
- Apply instructions with several steps to a situation that is the same as the situation in the reading materials
- Choose what to do when changing conditions call for a different action (follow directions that include "if-then" statements)
|
Applied Mathematics
|
| Level |
Characteristics of Items |
Skills |
pre 3
View sample item |
- Involve more life skills than job skills
- Some understanding of the language of mathematics is assumed, such as recognizing common symbols for the basic operations, equality, money, and degrees
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- Count up to two digits
- Differentiate between high and low whole numbers
- Recognize number sequences and fill in missing numbers
- Add, subtract, multiply and divide
- Recognize monetary values, count money, and recognize place values in money.
- Convert between adjacent units of time from seconds to years.
- Use a calculator, round numbers properly, and estimate an answer
- Read and write simple fractions, decimals, and percentages, and convert from one to another
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| Level |
Characteristics of Items |
Skills |
3
View sample item |
- Translate easily from a word problem to a math equation
- All needed information is presented in logical order
- No extra information
|
- Solve problems that require a single type of mathematics operation (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) using whole numbers
- Add or subtract negative numbers
- Change numbers from one form to another using whole numbers, fractions, decimals, or percentages
- Convert simple money and time units (e.g., hours to minutes)
|
| Level |
Characteristics of Items |
Skills |
4
View sample item |
- Information may be presented out of order
- May include extra, unnecessary information
- May include a simple chart, diagram, or graph
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- Solve problems that require one or two operations
- Multiply negative numbers
- Calculate averages, simple ratios, simple proportions, or rates using whole numbers and decimals
- Add commonly known fractions, decimals, or percentages (e.g., 1/2, .75, 25%)
- Add up to three fractions that share a common denominator
- Multiply a mixed number by a whole number or decimal
- Put the information in the right order before performing calculations
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