Many employers in the United States use the WorkKeys assessment to gauge whether a prospective candidate is suitable for recruitment or training opportunities.
The assessment is made up of eight aptitude tests, including Applied Mathematics, Graphic Literacy, Workplace Documents, Applied Technology and Business Writing.
To stand the best chance of passing the WorkKeys Test in 2024, you will need to study all parts of the test, work through practice papers and improve your time management.
What Is the Act WorkKeys Test?
The ACT WorkKeys test is a suite of assessments developed by the ACT (American College of Testing).
The WorkKeys tests are used to measure essential workplace skills that are required for various career paths and industries.
As a candidate, the WorkKeys assessment helps you to identify which skills you need to improve on for your desired job role.
Prepare for the WorkKeys Assessment with JobTestPrep
If you are applying for a job role that requires you to have a National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC), you will need to pass the ACT WorkKeys exam.
For some of the tests, a Level three result or higher is required to achieve the NCRC.
Employers use the WorkKeys test to help them make informed decisions when hiring candidates or selecting staff members for training and development opportunities.
The WorkKeys tests can be used to identify skills or competencies that are required for particular job roles.
In most cases, candidates are required to sit the WorkKeys test on-site, at the prospective place of work or training.
The WorkKeys assessment includes eight aptitude tests. Employers might ask candidates to sit one or more of these tests.
The aptitude tests are split into the following categories:
- Applied Mathematics
- Graphic Literacy
- Workplace Documents
- Applied Technology
- Business Writing
- Workplace Observation
- Fit
- Talent
What Is the National Career Readiness Certificate?
If you gain the required levels in the WorkKeys assessment, you will be awarded an NCRC. This can be issued at four levels: Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze.
As an employer, hiring a candidate with an NCRC helps give reassurance that you are selecting talent from a pool of skilled and qualified people.
As a candidate or employee, the NCRC is a tangible document showing your skills and abilities in the workplace.
Several key benefits to hiring candidates with an NCRC have been identified by employers. These include:
Reduced turnover of staff – Hiring people with a specific set of skills helps to reduce staff turnover as the employer is more likely to be satisfied with the employee’s skill set and overall productivity, and the employee can use their knowledge of their key strengths to apply for the most suitable job roles.
Short, productive training periods – If an employee already has the right foundation skills for the job role, the initial training period is likely to be quicker.
Top-tier hiring – Hiring from a pool of candidates with the NCRC means the employer will automatically have access to a strong set of people with the right skills and abilities. That means employers can narrow down the talent pool according to the desirable criteria for the job vacancy.
Better performance and staff morale – When employees feel qualified to do their jobs well, they are more likely to feel fulfilled and happy at work. Studies show that good morale in the workplace is important to maintaining high productivity and promoting positive team working relationships.
Streamlined recruitment – Requiring the NCRC is an easy way to determine whether a candidate has the right skills for the job. Rejecting candidates without it helps hiring managers to quickly whittle down the shortlist.
To date, more than five million NCRCs have been issued since it was introduced in 2006.
What Are the WorkKeys Test Assessments?
Applied Mathematics – Level Three or Higher Required for the NCRC
Includes 34 questions to be answered within 55 minutes.
This test checks a candidate’s ability to apply numerical reasoning and problem-solving skills to real-world work scenarios.
It includes tasks such as calculating measurements, interpreting charts and graphs, and solving practical work-based math problems.
Graphic Literacy – Level Three or Higher Required for The NCRC
Includes 38 questions to be answered within 55 minutes.
This test checks a candidate’s ability to understand and interpret information that is presented in charts, graphs, diagraphs and tables.
It is used to assess whether a candidate can read and analyze visual data, which is a vital skill in many job roles.
Workplace Documents – Level Three or Higher Required for The NCRC
Includes 35 questions to be answered within 55 minutes.
This test focuses on a candidate’s reading and comprehension skills when reviewing work-based documents.
It might include reading and understanding policies, manuals, memos, letters or emails.
Applied Technology
Includes 34 questions to be answered within 55 minutes.
This test is only used for roles working with machinery or equipment. It is designed to check a candidate’s ability to use machines and equipment to solve work-related problems.
It covers basic principles and skills in electricity, fluid dynamics, mechanics and thermodynamics.
The test is focused on reasoning rather than math, so candidates must solve problems without using formulas or calculations.
Business Writing
Includes one prompt. Candidates are given 30 minutes to write a response to the prompt.
This test assesses a candidate’s ability to respond in writing to a work-related problem or situation.
The test covers sentence structure, grammar, word usage, mechanics, tone of voice, word choice, organization and focus, and idea development.
Workplace Observation
Includes 12 scenarios and 35 questions to be answered.
Candidates have 55 minutes to answer all of the questions.
The Workplace Observation is a new addition to the WorkKeys suite of assessments.
It is used to check a candidate’s ability to observe, follow, understand and evaluate processes, workplace procedures and demonstrations.
Fit
This is similar to a personality test. It includes 102 items to be rated, and candidates have 15 to 20 minutes to work through all of the items.
This test checks whether a candidate’s interests and values make them a good fit for the work environment. It is split into two sections: the ACT Interest Inventory and the Work Values Inventory.
Talent
This is another personality assessment. It contains 165 questions, which candidates must answer within 35 minutes.
Employers can use the Talent assessment to identify and develop employees by measuring their work-related behaviors and attitudes.
For the Talent test, there are no right or wrong answers. Instead, candidates must read through statements and decide how well they match their personality, marking each statement on a five-point scale between 'Strongly Disagree' and 'Strongly Agree'.
Test scores are used to form a picture of the candidate using 18 personality traits:
- Striving – A candidate’s level of aspiration and desire to achieve goals at work
- Stability – A candidate’s ability to maintain composure and rationality when exposed to stressful situations at work
- Sociability – How much a candidate enjoys being with others and working as part of a team
- Savvy – A candidate’s level of social competence, taking into consideration how well they can read the motives and anticipate the needs of others
- Order – A candidate’s level of desire for tidiness and order in the workplace
- Optimism – A candidate’s preference for achieving positive outcomes at work
- Influence – A candidate’s aptitude for speaking out and taking charge of work-based situations
- Goodwill – A candidate’s tendency to forgive and believe other people have good intentions at work
- Discipline – A candidate’s dependability and how likely they have to follow through with work tasks without becoming bored or distracted
- Creativity – A candidate’s ability to use their imagination and think laterally in the workplace
- Cooperation – How likable and cordial a candidate is in interpersonal situations
- Carefulness – How much a candidate plans their actions in advance
In addition to the eight aptitude tests, the WorkKeys assessment includes a series of skills training e-learning lessons and job profiling questions.
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Example Questions on the ACT WorkKeys Test
WorkKeys Test Applied Math Sample Questions
Example Question
James wants to build a rectangular pen for his sheep. It will be 20 yards long and 15 yards wide.
How many feet of fencing will James need to build the perimeter of the pen?
a) 80 feet
b) 120 feet
c) 210 feet
d) 396 feet
e) 793 feet
Example Question
A cake is sliced into 16 equal pieces. During a party, one-quarter of the cake was eaten. After the party, seven more slices were eaten. What fraction of the cake is left?
a) 2/3
b) 1/4
c) 3/5
d) 5/16
e) 7/15
How To Pass the Workkeys Test
WorkKeys Test Workplace Documents Sample Question
Please read the following document, then answer the questions.
Dear Front of House Sales Staff,
We would like to inform you about an upcoming change that will affect our residents at Riverside Condominium Complex.
Our online resident portal will be temporarily unavailable for the next three weeks as we transition to our new parent company.
During this time, your role will be crucial in handling requests and services typically managed through the online portal.
We anticipate increased foot traffic from residents.
To accommodate this, we will be adjusting staff schedules during high-traffic periods.
Here are some important guidelines to follow during this transition:
Mailroom:
With the portal down, residents will no longer receive package notifications. Expect residents to visit the mailroom even when they don’t have packages. We must maintain an organization to provide efficient service.
Sort packages as follows:
- Building One: Blue wall, organized by floor (1st floor on the bottom shelf)
- Building Two: Red wall, organized by floor (1st floor on the bottom shelf)
- Building Three: Green wall, organized by floor (2nd floor on the bottom shelf, as the 1st floor of Building Three is non-residential)
Record package pick-ups in the provided Google Sheet
Rent Payments:
Rent is due on the 1st of each month, and we will need to collect payments during the portal outage.
Residents may be paying their rent in person for the first time.
Remind them of the following:
- Any leasing office staff can provide the rent amount upon request
- Excess payments will be credited to the resident’s account
- All checks must be made out to 606 Riverside, LLC
To process payments, follow these steps:
- Click 'Rental Payment'
- Enter the resident’s information
- Double-check the unit number for accuracy
- Record the exact amount paid and note any necessary credits
- Place the check in the 'Outgoing Bank Sleeve' in the back office
- The Leasing Manager will deposit checks daily before leaving at 8 pm
- Provide residents with a receipt from the receipt book in the Leasing Office upon request
During this transition, please extend patience and respect to every resident.
Acknowledge the inconvenience they may experience, and ensure their experience is as smooth as possible.
Our new resident portal is expected to be fully operational by Wednesday, October 13.
While we aim to be understanding during this transition, please remind residents that rent payments are still due on time, as outlined in their lease agreements.
Failure to meet payment deadlines may result in forfeiture of their rights under the lease.
Thank you for your cooperation and assistance during this period of change.
Sincerely,
Management Team
Example Question
Question 1: A resident visits the mailroom to ask if their significant other has picked up a package? How would you check this for them?
a) Ask them to visit the Leasing Office to check the master list
b) Say you can’t help until the computers are back up, so they will have to ask their significant other
c) Say there is no package in the mailroom, so it must have been picked up already
d) Let them look through all of the packages in the mailroom
e) Check the Google Sheet set up by management to see if the package has been collected
Example Question
Question 2: When the housing portal for residents is back up, what changes to procedure will the leasing office staff need to make?
a) Ask anyone who comes in with a rent check to go online to pay via the resident housing portal
b) Refuse to accept checks that are not for the exact rental amount owed by the resident
c) None; the notice is just to remind FOH of current procedures and explain that there are likely to be more in-person interactions while the system is down
d) The Leasing Office will return to its usual daily operating hours
e) Staff will no longer be able to access resident accounts; all business should be processed through the online resident housing portal
Example Question
Question 3: Based on the context of the notice, what does “forfeiture” mean in the last sentence?
a) Loss
b) Seizure
c) Late fee
d) Holdover
e) Eviction
WorkKeys Test Graphic Literacy Sample Question
Example Question
Rhonda is going on a road trip to celebrate her graduation from high school. She is setting off from New York and plans to stop off at her cousin’s in Rochester. After, she will drive to Boston to visit her grandparents, then return to New York to start college.
| City | Rochester (NH) | Boston | New York |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester (NH) | 0 | 77 miles | 283 miles |
| Boston | 77 miles | 0 | 217 miles |
| New York | 283 miles | 217 miles | 0 |
In total, how many miles will she cover during the road trip?
a) 495 miles
b) 503 miles
c) 577 miles
d) 624 miles
e) 785 miles
How to Prepare for the ACT WorkKeys Test
Here are some tips to help you prepare for the WorkKeys Test in 2024:
Step 1. Focus on All Areas of the Test
You might be tempted to only revise areas you enjoy or feel confident in, but it is important that you prepare for all aspects of the WorkKeys test – try not to get caught up on revising just one aspect.
Step 2. Complete WorkKeys Practice Test Papers
ACT Workkeys practice test papers are one of the most effective ways to prepare for the WorkKeys test.
You can find practice assessments with example questions for each section on the ACT website.
It is also possible to buy a full practice version of the test, which you can use as a mock test to help you prepare for the full test experience and minimize nerves on the day of your test.
Completing practice tests and reviewing your answers is also a good way to review your strengths and weaknesses.
You can use this insight to tailor your revision plan accordingly.
For example, if you do not enjoy math and you only get a low score on this part of the test, you might want to consider doing some further preparation in math before sitting the ACT WorkKeys test.
Sitting practice assessments will help you to get used to the format of the questions, which should save you time on the day of the test as you will not need to spend too much time working out how to find the information that you need to answer the question.
Always remember to read through the instructions provided carefully before you start to answer the questions.
Step 3. Work on Your Time Management
Add a stopwatch to your desk and see how long it takes you to complete each part of the test and the whole test overall.
Over time, you should see a reduction in how long it takes you to complete the test.
Working against the clock will also help you to feel ready for the time-pressure aspect of the real-life exam.
Step 4. Take Care of Your Health
It might seem obvious, but when you have a test coming up, it is even more important to take care of your physical and mental health.
Remember to stay hydrated, eat a healthy, balanced diet and make time to rest in the days leading up to the test, and try to get an early night the evening before your assessment.
Step 5. Practice in a Group
You might find it boring to practice for the test on your own, so if you have a friend to help, this could help you to stay motivated with your revision.
If you have a friend also preparing for the same test, that is even better.
Working together should help to keep you on track with your studies, give you a confidence boost and leave you feeling supported.
Step 6. Stay Motivated
Think about your career aspirations and where you hope to be in two, five or ten years’ time.
Keeping your overall career goal in mind when preparing for the ACT WorkKeys Test is a great way to stay motivated during the test preparation phase.
Frequently Asked Questions
The WorkKeys test is a job skills assessment developed by ACT.
The purpose of the test is to measure essential workplace skills that are important for success in certain job roles and industries.
If you want to pass WorkKeys test, effective preparation is vital.
You will also need to gain a good understanding of the different skills being assessed in the various aspects of the test.
The WorkKeys test is modular, which means employers can choose individual sections or tests according to the job they are recruiting for.
In most cases, each section takes between 35 to 55 minutes to complete.
The WorkKeys test is usually administered in a proctored, in-person test center rather than being offered via online testing.
You will normally need to visit a designated test center, educational institute or employer’s location to sit the test.
The WorkKeys test is a modular exam, so the number of questions varies according to how many sections the candidate is taking.
For example, the Applied Mathematics test typically contains 33 questions, and the Applied Technology section typically contains 34 questions.
If you are due to sit the WorkKeys test, making time to study is vital to ensuring you are successful.
You should also make time to review your existing skills, create a study schedule to cover all aspects of the test and improve your time management.
The WorkKeys test is used for several purposes in the employment and education settings.
These include employment and hiring, employee development, career advancement, educational programs, workforce development, customized training and industry certification.
Final Thoughts
If you want to prove you have what it takes to work within a business, passing the WorkKeys test is a great place to start. But as with any test, preparation is key.
Sitting the WorkKeys test allows you to prove your strengths and abilities to prospective employers and training providers. This is especially useful if you have limited work experience or formal qualifications.
As an individual, sitting the WorkKeys test could help you gain a better understanding of the employment opportunities that you are likely to be suitable for.
For employers, the WorkKeys test helps to identify the right people for different job roles and responsibilities.
If you have been asked to take the WorkKeys test, you should prepare for the test by revising the key assessment areas and completing some practice tests.
If you want to simulate the test environment, you might want to purchase an official practice test.
