The ACT WorkKeys assessment is a test that looks at students' career readiness and determines their aptitude for specific careers and shows employers how ready they are.

Fulton is the first high school in the state to be a test location.

This test is growing rapidly, however. Nationally, it is in 29 states so far, but is pushing to be spread farther.

Fulton recently had 19 students take the exam.

The scores of the exams are based on levels such as bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. Students receive a certificate called a NCRC or an ACT National Career Readiness Certificate. The certificate has what your score was and it lists jobs you would be able to hold with that level of readiness for the workforce.

The test consists of three parts, Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents. There are practice tests and a curriculum students can study online for help.

Junior Kadin Davis scored gold on the exam and said, "The WorkKeys test was relatively easy with easy Math and English-based questions, and I believe it is a good experience and good to have for applying to jobs."

Anyone can sign up for this test, including adults. Just talk to Mrs. Ferlito in the Career Exploration Center for more information. This exam makes it look better for employers when young adults are just graduating high school and want to go straight into the work force.

The exam shows your intelligence and readiness to businesses that are in need of workers. These businesses are in need of workers because the work force is getting older and many people are retiring, leaving the businesses with no employees.

Seniors fresh out of high school usually need 2-5 years of experience to get jobs in the workforce right out of high school, but the WorkKeys test gets that out of the way to show employers you are ready to work and you have the knowledge to start.