American College Testing

What is the ACT?

• The ACT is a standardized test designed to show colleges how prepared you are for higher education by measuring your reading comprehension, knowledge of writing conventions, and computational skills, and then comparing you to the rest of the high school students who take it. 

• You are tested in the following areas

  • Math

  • Reading

  • English

  • Science (Optional)

  • Writing (Optional)

Why should I take the ACT?

• By taking the ACT you are showing colleges your skill set for higher education

• Many colleges offer scholarships for high ACT score and high GPA scores

• In some colleges you will be able skip some prerequisite classes based on your ACT

How can I prepare for the ACT?

• One way you can prepare for the ACT is to take the Pre ACT. By doing this you will get an estimated score to gauge how well you will do on the ACT. This is beneficial because then you can see your composite score, math score, reading score, english score, and science score. This will allow you to analyze what areas  you can improve on. It is also beneficial to take the Pre ACT to get a sense of how the test is paced.

• Another way you can prepare for the ACT is to go to the ACT website and use the free ACT practice test and their other preperation materials. Not everything is free but remember the more prepared you are the better you will do.

WorkKeys

Measure Educational Gains with NRS-Approved WorkKeys

ACT WorkKeys Applied Math and Workplace Documents Assessments are approved by the National Reporting System (NRS) for measuring educational gains in adult education and are eligible for use under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) for all adult basic education programs.   

Three WorkKeys Assessments You Should Take

If you want to measure workplace skills relevant to most jobs and potentially earn the ACT® WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC), you should take the three core WorkKeys assessments:

1. Applied Mathematics – Measures your ability to use math skills in real-world workplace situations, such as calculating costs, measuring quantities, and interpreting data 

2. Graphic Literacy – Assesses your ability to read, interpret, and use visual information, such as charts, graphs, and diagrams, to make informed decisions

3. Workplace Documents – Evaluates your ability to read, interpret, and use workplace documents, including forms, manuals, and instructions

Why these three?
These three assessments together cover the foundational skills most employers value:

• Applied Mathematics for quantitative reasoning

• Graphic Literacy for visual information processing

• Workplace Documents for reading and interpreting written workplace materials 

Benefits of taking all three:

• You can earn the NCRC, a recognized credential that many employers use when hiring or promoting 

• Scores can be used for job applications, scholarships, or college admissions 

• They are web-based, typically take about an hour each, and are available in English and Spanish

Tip: Many job postings and career skill guides recommend these three tests specifically to match your skills to the requirements of the role

Workkeys Test Prep

ASVAB

The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is a multi-aptitude test used to assess your skills and determine eligibility and career options in the U.S. military.

The ASVAB is a standardized, multiple-aptitude test administered to high school students, post-secondary students, and military applicants to measure developed abilities and predict future success in military training and occupations. It is offered at over 14,000 schools and Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) nationwide. 

Purpose of the ASVAB

The test serves several key purposes:

• Eligibility: Determines if you meet the minimum requirements to enlist in a branch of the U.S. military.

• Career Placement: Helps identify which military jobs or occupational specialties you are best suited for based on your strengths. 

• Skill Assessment: Evaluates your current knowledge and your potential to learn new skills in areas such as math, science, and technical subjects. 

Test Structure

The ASVAB consists of nine subtests covering areas like:

• Verbal skills (Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension)

• Math skills (Arithmetic Reasoning, Mathematics Knowledge)

• Science and technical skills (General Science, Electronics Information, Auto & Shop Information)

• Spatial and mechanical skills (Mechanical Comprehension, Assembling Objects)
  These subtests are combined to calculate the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score, which determines overall eligibility for enlistment. The AFQT score is expressed as a percentile from 1 to 99, comparing your performance to a reference group. 

Scoring and Career Implications

• AFQT Score: Determines if you can enlist. Minimum scores vary by branch (e.g., 31 for high school graduates in the Air Force)

• Line Scores/Composite Scores: Derived from combinations of subtests to determine qualification for specific military jobs or specialties. Each branch uses its own system, such as Army line scores, Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC), or Marine Corps MOS scores

• Career Exploration: Even if you do not enlist immediately, ASVAB scores can help identify strengths and potential career paths in both military and civilian contexts. 

ASVAB Study Guide