Information for Examinees

ACT WorkKeys 

Examinee Terms and Conditions

Examinees should be familiar with the terms and conditions of the ACT WorkKeys test. On test day, the examinee will be asked to agree with the testing rules and policies.

Examinee Terms and Conditions

Learn about ACT WorkKeys Testing

The WorkKeys assessments measure foundational skills required for success in the workplace and help measure the workplace skills that can affect job performance. Each assessment offers varying levels of difficulty. The levels build on each other, incorporating the skills assessed at the previous levels.

Successful completion of WorkKeys core assessments can lead to earning an ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC). The NCRC can be earned by examinees after completing and ranking scores within the Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents assessments. Examinees and employers can then use the scores to match skills to jobs to have a successful career path.

Test Questions and Minutes per Test

Each test is administered individually in an online or paper format. Each contains questions with either four or five answers from which you are to choose the correct or best answer.

Test

Questions

Minutes per Test (English)

Minutes per Test (Spanish)

Applied Math (online and paper)

34

55

70

Graphic Literacy (online and paper)

38

55

70

Workplace Documents (online and paper)

35

55

70

Applied Technology (online and paper)

34

45 minutes for paper, 55 minutes for online

n/a

Business Writing (online)

1

30

n/a

Workplace Observation (online)

35

55

n/a

Testing with Accessibility Supports

Accessibility supports refer to systems, tools, and accommodations that remove barriers for the entire testing population, including examinees identified as having disabilities and English learners (ELs), as well as examinees who do not have a disability. All examinees need to be able to communicate fairly and effectively what they know and can do when they take a test. ACT provides accessibility supports that include the following:

  • Universal supports
  • Designated supports
  • English learner supports
  • Accommodations

Educational teams, workforce development specialists, and career counselors should work with examinees to select and locally authorize appropriate accessibility supports and accommodations for use with assessments and the WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC).

CODE OF FAIR TESTING PRACTICES

ACT endorses the Code of Fair Testing Practices in Education and the Code of Professional Responsibilities in Educational Measurement, which guide the conduct of those involved in educational testing. ACT is committed to ensuring that each of its testing programs upholds the guidelines in each Code. You may locate copies of these Codes through the following organizations:

  • Code of Fair Testing Practices in Education: American Psychological Association (www.apa.org)
  • Code of Professional Responsibilities in Educational Measurement: National Council on Measurement in Education (www.ncme.org)

Test-Taking Strategies and Tips

Get familiar with the content of the sections.

Review the information on this webpage. The topics included in each content area are examples of possible topics; they don’t include all possibilities.

Update your knowledge and skills in the content areas.

Review content areas that you’ve studied but aren’t fresh in your mind. Refresh your knowledge in the content areas that make up large portions of the test.

Know what to expect on test day.

Review this webpage well in advance of the test.

Learn how to navigate an online test using TestNav.

Use the Preparing for the ACT WorkKeys Test Taken Online in TestNav for navigation tips. 

Practice beforehand.

Take the online practice tests, time yourself, and review your responses using the answer keys.

Be well rested.

Get plenty of rest the night before the test.

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Pace yourself. 

It’s important that you have enough time to read the passages/questions and figure out your responses.

  • The time limits set for each section give nearly everyone enough time to finish all questions. However, you will want to pace yourself to avoid spending too much time on one passage or puzzling over an answer to a specific problem. Go on to other questions and come back if there’s time.

Read the directions carefully.

Before you begin each section, read the directions carefully.

  • These tests ask for the BEST answer. Read and consider all of the answer choices and choose the answer that best responds to the question.

Read each question carefully.

You need to understand exactly what each question asks. Some questions will require you to go through several steps to find the correct or best answer, while others can be answered more quickly.

Answer the easy questions first.

A good strategy is to answer the easy questions and skip the ones you find difficult. After answering the easy questions, go back and answer the more difficult questions if you have time.

Use logic on more difficult questions.

When you return to the more difficult questions, try to use logic to eliminate incorrect answers. Compare the answer choices to each other and note how they differ. This may provide clues as to what the question requires. Eliminate as many incorrect answers as you can, then make an educated guess from the remaining answers.

Answer every question.

Your scores in the sections will be based only on the number of questions scored that you answer correctly; there’s no penalty for guessing. Try to answer every question within the time allowed for each section.

Review your work. 

If there’s time left after you’ve answered every question on a test, go back and check your work. You will not be allowed to go back to any other test after time has expired.

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Know where you are going.

Make sure you know what test room to report to on test day by the scheduled time. Don’t be late for testing.

What to bring.

  • Writing instrument. Bring something to write (like a No. 2 pencil) on the scratch paper provided to you.
  • Watch or other timing device. You may bring a watch to pace yourself, but it may not have an alarm. Your watch or other timing device must be removed and placed on your desk while in the test room, so it remains visible to staff during the test. If your alarm sounds during testing, you will be dismissed, and your answers will not be scored.
  • Calculator. If you wish to use a calculator (which isn’t required), it’s your responsibility to ensure the calculator is permitted according to the ACT Calculator Policy.  If you’re testing online, an on-screen calculator is available within the testing system.
  • Foreign language dictionaries. ACT- authorized bilingual dictionaries may be used if approved to test with English Leaner (EL) supports.
  • Snacks. You may consume snacks and drinks outside the test room during the break.

What NOT to bring.

  • Textbooks, dictionaries, scratch paper, notes, or other aids, unless approved to bring a bilingual dictionary
  • Highlighter pens, colored pens or pencils, or correction fluid/tape
  • Any electronic device, other than a permitted calculator
  • Reading material

In the test room.

  • Your room supervisor will direct you to a seat. If you need a left-handed desk, tell the staff as you enter.
  • Don’t leave the test room after you’ve been admitted.
  • You will be required to put all personal belongings away.
  • Listen carefully to all directions read by the room supervisor. It’s important that you follow all directions carefully.
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Prohibited Behavior in the Test Room

The following behaviors can result in dismissal:

  • Not stopping on time: You may not fill in or alter responses to any multiple-choice questions after time has been called.
  • Looking at other test sections: You may not look at any test section outside of the designated time for that test section.
  • Using electronic devices: You may not access an electronic device (other than your testing computer and mouse, when testing online) at any time during testing or during breaks. All other devices must be powered off and placed out of sight from the time you’re admitted to the test room until you’re dismissed.

 

  • Giving or getting help: You may not give or receive assistance by any means. This includes looking at another person’s test.
  • Removing test materials: You may not remove any materials from the test room. You may not discuss or share test questions, answers, or test form identification numbers during test administration, during breaks, or after the test. The test is confidential and remains so even after the test is complete. 
  • Sharing test answers: You may not disclose test questions or answers in any way or at any time, including through social media, in whole or in part.

 

IMPORTANT: If you’re observed or suspected of engaging in prohibited behavior, you may be dismissed, and your test may not be scored.

Content of the Test Sections

Practice Test

It’s a good idea to take a practice test under conditions as similar as possible to those you will experience on test day. Get a taste of the test with practice questions (and an answer key) online.