test preparation

Throughout your high school years, you'll discover employers and colleges alike want to see how ready you are for the workplace and/or college coursework once you graduate high school. There are several nationally-recognized standardized tests which have been developed for this purpose. The most common tests are:

• WorkKeys^®

• ACT^®

• SAT^®

See the information below to learn more about each of the tests and how to prepare for them.

the ACT WORKKEYS^®

According to ACT, Inc., the ACT WorkKeys^® assessments "measure foundational skills required for success in the workplace, and help measure the workplace skills that can affect job performance."¹

High school students who become CTE concentrators, take the ACT WorkKeys^® assessments in their senior year. A CTE concentrator is any student who completes a four-course CTE sequence during their high school career. Students who successfully complete this series of assessments earn the WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate^® (WorkKeysNCRC^®). This certificate is recognized as an industry credential throughout the United States.

Check out ACT, Inc.'s WorkKeys^® preparation information which includes sample questions and other tools.

the ACT^®

The ACT^® test is the leading college admissions test in the United States. According to CFNC.org, "the ACT^® measures skills in English, math, reading, and science reasoning. You'll receive a score on each section and a composite score between 1 and 36. The ACT^® is offered during the school day for free to juniors at NC public high schools."² Students may also arrange and pay to take the test outside of the high school setting. Visit CFNC.org for more details.

Multiple online resources, both free and some requiring payment, are available to help you prepare to take the ACT^® test. Start your preparation journey with the producers of the test - the ACT, Inc. organization. Visit their webpage, ACT Test Preparation, to discover many resources to help you prepare.

the SAT^®

The SAT^® test is another widely used college admissions test in the United States. According to CFNC.org, "the SAT measures critical thinking skills using questions in two categories: Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing, and Math. The total possible score range is 400-1600."² Unlike the ACT, students must arrange to take this test and pay the administration fee (currently $55)³. Visit CFNC.org for more details.

As with the ACT^®, there are multiple online resources available to help you prepare to the the SAT^® test. Visit the College Board's website for more information about the test and how to prepare.

¹Retrieved from http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/workkeys-for-employers/assessments.html.

²Retrieved from https://www.cfnc.org/plan-your-future/planning-resources/test-preparation/.

³Retrieved from https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration/fees-refunds/test-fees.