ACT WorkKeys Career Readiness Assessment

Preparing students who are career ready is an important responsibility of Greenville County Schools and the State of South Carolina. Therefore, the ACT WorkKeys career readiness assessment will be administered to students who are in their third year of high school, typically 11th graders, and other identified students who selected to participate in this testing program. Students enrolled in the GCS Virtual Program will test at their school of enrollment.

The WorkKeys paper test will be administered during the regular school day on April 5. Some students requiring timing accommodations as identified on their Individualized Education Plan (IEP), 504 Accommodations Plan, or Individualized Language Acquisition Plan (ILAP) may be tested on an alternate day as scheduled by the school. 

As the paper test format will be used, students should bring two sharpened #2 pencils with them on test day. Students may also bring a permitted calculator for the Applied Math test. 

Review ACT’s Calculator Policy

The ACT WorkKeys assessment consists of three multiple-choice timed tests – Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents. These tests measure real world skills that employers believe are critical to job success. Students may earn ACT’s National Career Readiness Certificate which is recognized by businesses and industries nationwide.

Examples of the types of items that will appear on the three assessment components

Testing Tips

Students and parents can work together to make sure they are well prepared by following these suggestions:

Students should:

• Rest on the nights before these tests.  
• Eat a nourishing breakfast on the morning of each test.
• Be in school and on time, except in cases of illness.
• Listen attentively to the teacher’s directions so they will know exactly what to do. 
• Read each test question and each response carefully before marking an answer choice.
• Stay calm if there are questions that seem difficult. 
• Mark their best answers.
• Refrain from bringing any electronic device that can be used for communicating, timing, or imaging into the testing location.

Parents should:

• Meet with your child’s teachers as often as necessary to discuss his/her progress.
• Check or review your child’s homework, projects, or other school work.
• Talk with your child about school.
• Ask teachers to suggest activities for you and your child to do at home to help prepare for tests and to improve your child’s understanding of schoolwork. 
• Provide positive feedback by praising your child for what he/she does well.

Help us help your child perform to the best of his or her ability.  For more information about testing or your child’s progress, please call your child’s school.