2024-2025 School Year

CTE Senior/Graduate Concentrator Survey

What is WorkKeys?

WorkKeys is an ACT assessment which is administered to all North Carolina 12th grade CTE completers. A CTE completer is a student who a secondary student who has completed at least two CTE courses in a single career pathway throughout high school. WorkKeys test measure “real world” skills that are critical to job success. These skills are essential to any occupation, skilled or professional, at any level of education and in any industry. CTE Completers take the following three WorkKeys test: Workplace Documents, Applied Mathematics and Graphic Literacy.

By taking the WorkKeys tests, students can earn a State Career Readiness Certificate (CRC), as well as a National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC). CRC’s and NCRC’s are awarded at four different levels: bronze, silver, gold and platinum. For questions on whether your child is eligible to take the WorkKeys test, please contact your school Career Development Coordinator.

Sample WorkKeys Questions and Online Practice Test

Career Readiness Benchmark Information

So let's look at the three main tests that seniors will take for the WorkKeys Assessment.

The Applied Math assessment (score range 65-90) measures critical thinking, mathematical reasoning, and problem solving techniques for situations that actually occur in today’s workplace. While individuals may use calculators and conversion tables to help with the problems on the assessment, math skills are still needed to think them through. Get more information: Applied Math Assessment Link

The Graphic Literacy assessment (score range 65-90) measures the skill needed to locate, synthesize, and use information from workplace graphics. Workplace graphics come in a variety of formats, but all communicate a level of information. From charts to graphs, diagrams to floor plans, identifying what information is being presented and understanding how to use it are critical to success. Get more information: Graphic Literacy Assessment Link

Employees need to be able to understand written text to do a job. The Workplace Documents assessment (score range 65-90) measures the skills people use when they read and use written text such as memos, letters, directions, signs, notices, bulletins, policies, and regulations on the job. Get more information: Workplace Documents Assessment Link

Minimum score of 3 on each of the three core areas. Examinee has necessary foundational skills for 35% of the jobs in the WorkKeys database. Qualified for entry-level job. High school graduates typically test at this level.

Minimum score of 4 on each of the three core areas. Examinee has necessary foundational skills for 65% of the jobs in the WorkKeys database. Qualified for blue- or pink-collar job. College graduates typically test at this level.

Minimum score of 5 on each of the three areas. Examinee has necessary foundational skills for 90% of the jobs in the WorkKeys database. Well-qualified for white-collar job. Admission to competitive U.S. colleges occurs at this level.

Minimum score of 6 on each of the three areas. Examinee has necessary foundation skills for 95% of the jobs in the WorkKeys database. Less than 1% nationwide achieves Platinum. Rare combination of cognitive skill.

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