West Caldwell High

About WorkKeys

Taking WorkKeys tests is an important first step to prepare for education, training, or a career. WorkKeys scores help you compare your skills to the skills real jobs require.

WorkKeys test questions are based on situations in the everyday work world. Employers across the country are requiring the WorkKeys assessments or recommending the National Career Readiness Certificate. These scores help employers choose the most qualified candidates for their jobs.

What is Work Keys?
WorkKeys is a job skills assessment system measuring "real-world" skills that employers believe are critical to job success.

Why should parents and students care about these tests?
All students enter the workforce eventually—whether they get a job right out of high school, work part-time while continuing their education, or go to college first.

WorkKeys stresses skills development important for every type of employment. In fact, the fastest growing segments of the WorkKeys job analyses are being done for professional, technical, and managerial jobs that require at least a four-year college degree.

The abilities to learn, listen, communicate, work in teams, and solve problems—all areas addressed by WorkKeys—are important assets for any employee, regardless of career choice. They are also extremely important in today's colleges. (www.act.org)

Why is WorkKeys important to high school students?
WorkKeys provides important information no matter what type of skilled or professional career a student plans to pursue after high school.

Studies show that occupations requiring higher skills in math, locating information, and reading pay higher entry-level salaries.

In fact, skill levels show a stronger correlation to pay than education levels do.

By increasing their skill levels while they are still in school, students increase their opportunities for higher salaries in the future.

Large numbers of students are entering the workforce without enough skills to qualify them for the jobs they want.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, more than 1.5 million students leave high school each year inadequately trained for even entry-level jobs.

Because WorkKeys measures skills valued by employers, students can use their results to get a better picture of their chances for success in the workforce and to improve areas where their skills are weak.  Schools can use the information—along with input from employers—to ensure that their courses of study provide adequate work skills training to meet the needs of businesses. (www.act.org)

Sample Questions

Free sample questions can be accessed at the website below. You will only be tested on Applied Mathematics, Reading for Information, and Locating Information.

http://www.act.org/workkeys/assess/sample.html

For more information on WorkKeys, go to www.act.org.

WORKKEYS TEST DAY

When is my designated testing day?

If your last name begins with: Room and Date

Abarado-Patrick Dula Room 216-Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Dunn-McGhinnis Room 217-Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Messer-Wooten Room 218-Wednesday, February 15, 2012

What will I need on the test day?

You will need to bring a No. 2 pencil and calculator. Calculators can be used for the Applied Mathematics section only.

You will be provided with scratch paper, bubble sheet information and a printout from NCWISE (to be used as your identification) on the day of testing.

Where should I report on the day of testing?

You should report to the room listed above based on your last name. Seating will be assigned. Once students check in, they will need to find their assigned location.

How long will the test take?

This test is consists of three sections and 45 minutes are allotted for each section. You will be granted a 15-minute break between the last 2 parts of the test. The sooner that students are seated and ready to test, the quicker we can be dismissed.

What if I have late arrival or early release?

Testing will begin at 8:05 am. If you arrive late, you will make-up the exam on a later date. If we are released early due to inclement weather, the exam will be given on another day.

How will my teacher know where I am on test day?

An email will be sent to all teachers at the beginning of testing stating who is present testing that day. This will inform your first and/or second block teachers not to count you absent for class because you are on campus.

What is the format of the test? What should I expect?

The test is divided up into three sections – Reading Comprehension, Applied Mathematics, and Locating Information. You will have 45 minutes per test. Test is paper/pencil.

Will I receive my scores immediately after I take the test?

No. After taking each section of the test, the State department will have to calculate your scores. Students will be notified if they qualify for Work Readiness Certificates soon after the testing administration is complete.

How was I chosen to complete this State-Mandated test?

Seniors who are in the process of or have completed 4 courses in a Career Technical Education (CTE) pathway (which one of courses is a level two course) were chosen to complete this assessment. This is NOT as CTE assessment (like the Postassessments). However, since you have completed courses within a pathway, it is assumed that you have the knowledge and are prepared to take a work-based assessment, such as Work Keys.

Who should I contact if I have any questions pertaining to Work Keys?

You can feel free to contact Ms. Crump, I can best be reached via email (ecrump@caldwellschools.com). Also, feel free to visit the ACT website for more detailed information regarding the WorkKeys assessment.