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Pass ACT Workkeys Test: Updated Guide and Free Practice Tests (2024)

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ACT WorkKeys tests measure skills that employers consider necessary for success in the workplace. The ACT WorkKeys assessment system is used by people looking to enter the next phase of their education, embark on a new career, or advance in their current job role.

We, at Prepterminal, have created a series of free Workkeys practice tests. Discover your benchmark testing score. Start preparing for your Workkeys test with our Workkeys practice tests free today.

WorkKeys Applied Math Practice Test

WorkKeys Graphic Literacy Practice Test

WorkKeys Workplace Documents Practice Test

What is the WorkKeys Test and What does it Include?

ACT WorkKeys is a series of assessments and curricula that measure your career readiness by assessing your foundational and soft skills. The test scores are used to establish your aptitude for a specific career path or to show your competencies to potential employers.

The WorkKeys assessment is used by individuals looking to enter a new stage of their education, begin a career, or make a change to their current job role. Employers use the ACT WorkKeys test scores when making decisions about employee appointments and training. The ACT WorkKeys can help employers hire the right talent and retain a top-performing workforce.

Generally, candidates who have applied for a job where the hiring company requires the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) take the WorkKeys skills assessment. A candidate is granted an NCRC upon the successful completion of the WorkKeys test. The NCRC is a highly recognized work readiness credential. It certifies the necessary work skills needed for success in job roles across various industries.

Candidates who score at the bronze level (at least 3) in Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents are entitled to receive the ACT’s National Career Readiness Certificate. Candidates need to score at least a “3” in all three assessments to show college and career readiness. Workplaces and organizations typically recognize the National Career Readiness Certificate and not the individual tests themselves.

There are eight kinds of assessment tests, each differing in the sorts of skills they evaluate.

The WorkKeys Test Types

Let’s take a look at the eight kinds of WorkKeys assessment tests individually.

Applied Math

The Applied Math assessment tests your critical thinking skills, your mathematical reasoning abilities, and your capacity to solve problems, concerning common workplace scenarios.

In this section, you will need to answer 34 math-related questions ranging from simple mathematical operations to word problems and statistical analysis depending on which level of difficulty you choose to sit (from levels 3 to 7). The test needs to be completed within a 55-minute time limit.

The Level 3 version of the test is considered the least complex while Level 7 is considered the most complex one. This is because the higher the level you choose to take, the more skills are assessed and incorporated from the previous levels.

This means if you choose to take the Level 7 test, you will encounter questions that can only be solved if you have the skills from Levels 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Let’s take a look at them:

Test-takers are allowed to use a calculator and they will also be provided with a formula sheet that contains relevant formulas and conversion tables needed to answer several questions in the test.

Graphic Literacy

This 38-item test is a form of a cognitive skills test that aims to measure your ability to extract, analyze, and interpret information using graphic resources like graphs, tables, maps, blueprints, and charts. You will be given 55 minutes to complete it.

Like the Applied Math test, the Graphics Literacy test contains seven levels with 3 being the lowest and 7 being the highest or most complex.

Let’s take a look at them:

At the lower ability levels, you only have to identify correct information by analyzing the graphic representation presented in the test. At the middle ability levels, you are expected to not only identify which information is correct but to also be able to identify patterns, make comparisons, and derive reasonable interpretations from the information provided. At high ability levels, examinees are expected to utilize various data points to compare and interpret multiple trends, deduce conclusions, and justify these conclusions.

Workplace Documents

This test 35-item test aims to measure your ability to read and comprehend workplace documents such as emails, procedures, policies, bulletins, memos, contracts, and even websites so that you can make good job-related decisions. You will have 55 minutes to complete this assessment.

In the Workplace Documents assessment, there are five levels of difficulty ranging from level 3 through to level 7.

Level 3 version is considered as the least complex while Level 7 is considered the most complex one. Once again, the higher the level you choose to take, the more skills are assessed and incorporated from the previous levels.

Let’s take a look at them:

Applied Technology

The Applied Technology assessment tests your knowledge of fundamental principles and skills in the following area of technology: mechanics, electricity, fluid dynamics, and thermodynamics. This assessment requires you to apply your reasoning skills, rather than your math skills, so you will be able to problem-solve without the use of formulas or calculations.

Individuals that use the applied technology skills are expected to:

  • Identify which components of a problem are important
  • Analyze a problem by recognizing the problem and its components
  • Decide on the order to maintain when tackling parts of the problem
  • Apply existing materials, tools, or methodologies to unique scenarios

The test contains 34 questions. The online version of the test takes 55 minutes and the paper-and-pencil version takes 45 minutes to complete. There are four levels of difficulty in this assessment, ranging from Level 3 through to Level 6, (6 being the most complex). As with the other assessment types, each of the levels builds on the other.

Business Writing

The Business Writing assessment evaluates the skills needed to write an authentic response to a work-related scenario. In this test, you will be assessed concerning skill areas such as; sentence structure, grammar, mechanics, word usage and word choice, tone, organization, focus, and the way you develop your ideas. You will be presented with 1 writing prompt.

There are five skill levels in this assessment, ranging from Level 1 through to Level 5 (with Level 5 being the most complex). Each level demands an increased amount of skill. The writing that an individual produces should be more fluid and communicated more clearly as they move to Level 5. Furthermore, an individual should make fewer errors and the errors that are made should be less significant as they move to Level 5.

At all Levels, you will be required to read one written prompt and then write your response. You will have 30 minutes to complete the assessment.

Workplace Observation

The Workplace Observation test evaluates your skills in observing, following, understanding, and evaluating demonstrations, procedures, demonstrations, and other work processes. The assessment features 35 questions and needs to be completed in 55 minutes. Workplace observations assessment includes 5 levels (Level 5 being the most complex).

At low levels, you will need to follow what you observe. In this way, you will be required to imitate all, or sections of, a basic demonstration, procedure, or process. You will also need to interpret what you observe, for example, basic instructions, demonstrations, procedures, or processes.

At the middle levels, you will be required to synthesize what you observe. You will need to combine more than one step that has been shown in an observed procedure, demonstration, or process. You will also need to ignore multiple distractions that could interfere with your ability to remember details.

At high levels, you will need to analyze what you observe. In this way, you will need to demonstrate that you can anticipate outcomes, form inferences, and extend out the application of information from an observed process, demonstration, or procedure. You will also be required to evaluate what you observe. You will need to show that you can evaluate which alternative is most fitting, according to an earlier observation.

Fit Assessment

The Fit assessment evaluates the values and interests of an individual in connection to the workplace setting. This test provides information that can be used to see how well an individual fits in with the job roles of an organization. In this way, the Fit assessment is used to cross-reference your attitudes, interests, and values, with those held by a prospective employer.

There Fit assessment is made up of two parts:

1. The ACT Interest Inventory: The inventory measures six fundamental interests; business, operations, administration and sales, technical, science and technology, arts, and social services, and addresses the spectrum of fundamental work tasks.

2. The Work Values Inventory: The Work Values Inventory is made up of 18 values such as; autonomy, public contact, influencing others, intellectual stimulation, order, creativity, and precision.

The Fit assessment consists of 102 questions and takes 15-20 minutes to complete online.

Talent Assessment

The Talent assessment measures four areas: discipline, teamwork, customer service, and an individual’s potential for a managerial role. This test measures behaviors and attitudes, rather than cognitive abilities. The results give a general picture of the personality of an individual, and whether they are a good match for a given business or organization.

The test features 165 questions and needs to be completed in 30-35 minutes.

WorkKeys F.A.Q.

Can I Use a Calculator on Workkeys?

Yes, 4-function, graphing, or scientific calculators are allowed in the Applied Mathematics section of the test.

What Is a Passing Score for Workkeys?

Bronze – Candidates need to earn a level score of 3 or more on each test. Silver – Candidates need to earn a level score of 4 or higher on each test. Gold – Candidates need to earn a level score of 5 or higher on each exam. Platinum – Candidates need to earn a level score of 6 or higher on each exam.

How Long Does It Take To Get Workkeys Results?​

It can take between 1-3 hours to get your WorkKeys results.

Prepterminal’s WorkKeys Practice Prep Course

PrepTerminal’s ACT WorkKeys Preparatory Course has been carefully crafted by our expert instructional team, who have invaluable experience and knowledge of the WorkKeys practice test material and testing experience. Our full curriculum-based course helps ensure that test-takers can prepare well and succeed in this difficult series of assessments.

Our team has developed a curated module-based study guide that features all the most up-to-date and relevant information on the WorkKeys assessments. Our prep course has study guides, Workkeys practice test questions, and full Workkeys practice tests that contain all of the subjects, questions, and question formats that will appear in the actual exam.

Here at PrepTerminal, we know that everyone has the potential to shine in this test and to receive the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC). Secure your future by practicing today with us, PrepTerminal!

*Note: ACT & WorkKeys are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of the trademark holders are affiliated with PrepTerminal or this website.
Matthew Appleyard

Created by: Matthew Appleyard

Psychometric Tutor, Prepterminal Test Expert

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I’m Matthew Appleyard, Prepterminal’s ACT Workkeys Test Prep Expert. Any questions about the course? Let me know at [email protected]

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