This free WorkKeys study guide teaches all three assessments behind the National Career Readiness Certificate — the credential employers use to confirm you have the foundational skills a job needs.[2] It covers Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents.
It’s interactive, not a wall of text: every assessment has a built-in checkpoint quiz, hover-able glossary terms, worked examples, labeled diagrams, and concept questions, so you learn by doing.
Work through the three assessment modules, test yourself at each checkpoint, then round out your free WorkKeys prep with our practice questions and flashcards.
WorkKeys Exam Snapshot
| Detail | ACT WorkKeys (NCRC) |
|---|---|
| Assessments | 3: Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, Workplace Documents |
| Questions | Applied Math 34, Graphic Literacy 38, Workplace Documents 35 |
| Question type | Multiple choice (computer-based or paper) |
| Time limit | 55 minutes per assessment (taken separately) |
| Score scale | Level 3 to Level 7 on each assessment (no pass/fail) |
| Certificate | NCRC medal set by the lowest of the three levels |
| Administered by | ACT, through authorized WorkKeys test sites |
| Calculator | Permitted on Applied Math; a formula sheet is provided |
The National Career Readiness Certificate is built from these three WorkKeys assessments. Each is multiple choice and individually timed, and each is scored on a level scale of 3 to 7.
Workplace math: whole numbers, fractions, percentages, conversions, area, volume, rates.
Reading graphics: charts, graphs, tables, diagrams, gauges, and maps — locate, compare, conclude.
Reading work texts: memos, emails, policies, and instructions — find details and apply rules.
The most important thing to understand about WorkKeys is that your medal is set by your lowest of the three assessment scores — not the average.[2]So a Level 6 in Applied Math can’t lift a Level 3 in Workplace Documents: the certificate is only as strong as your weakest assessment. Spend your time where you are weakest.
Each assessment is scored on a from Level 3 to Level 7, and your NCRC — Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum — depends on the lowest level you reach.[2] This guide teaches all three assessments as three study modules, each broken into its official skill areas.
1 · Applied Math
Applied Math measures workplace problem-solving with numbers — 34 questions in 55 minutes.[3] A and conversion tables are provided, and calculators are allowed, but you still have to set up each problem correctly. The skills climb from single-step arithmetic at Level 3 to volume and statistics at Level 7.
Numbers, Fractions & Conversions
The base skills are arithmetic with whole numbers, money, and negative numbers; converting between fractions, decimals, and percents; and unit conversions. To turn a fraction into a decimal, divide the top by the bottom (3/4 = 3 ÷ 4 = 0.75); multiply by 100 for a percent.
| Convert | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Fraction → decimal | Numerator ÷ denominator | 3/8 = 0.375 |
| Decimal → percent | Multiply by 100 | 0.75 = 75% |
| Feet → inches | 1 foot = 12 inches | 4 ft = 48 in |
| Pounds → tons | 1 ton = 2,000 lb | 5,000 lb = 2.5 tons |
| Liters → milliliters | 1 L = 1,000 mL | 3 L = 3,000 mL |
| Minutes → hours | Divide by 60 | 90 min = 1.5 hr |
Percentages, Discounts & Markups
Percentages are everywhere on Applied Math — discounts, markups, sales tax, and tips all use the same method. Turn the percent into a decimal, multiply by the price, then add (markup or tax) or subtract (discount).
Applied Math leans hard on percentages. The same three-step method handles discounts, markups, and sales tax — the only difference is whether you add or subtract at the end.
- Step 1 — Turn the percent into a decimalMove the decimal two places left. 25% becomes 0.25, 6% becomes 0.06, 30% becomes 0.30.
- Step 2 — Multiply to find the amountamount = decimal × the price. 25% of $80 = 0.25 × 80 = $20. This is your discount, markup, or tax dollars.
- Step 3 — Add or subtractDiscount: subtract it ($80 − $20 = $60). Markup or tax: add it ($40 + $12 = $52).
- Working backwardAfter a 20% discount you pay 80% of the original, so original = sale price ÷ 0.80. With 5% tax, price = total ÷ 1.05.
Area, Volume & Rates
The higher levels add geometry and rates. Know the core area, perimeter, and volume formulas, and set up rate problems by their units (miles per gallon, pages per minute, units per hour).
| Shape / idea | Formula |
|---|---|
| Rectangle area | length × width |
| Triangle area | ½ × base × height |
| Rectangle perimeter | 2 × (length + width) |
| Circle area / circumference | π × r² / π × diameter |
| Box volume | length × width × height |
| Rate | amount ÷ time (e.g. miles ÷ gallons) |
Checkpoint · Applied Math
Question 1 of 10
What is the decimal equivalent of the fraction 3/4?
2 · Graphic Literacy
Graphic Literacy measures reading and using graphics — 38 questions in 55 minutes.[4] You locate values, compare data, identify trends, and draw conclusions from charts, graphs, tables, diagrams, gauges, and maps. The levels climb from finding one value to integrating information across several graphics.
Graphic Types & Their Parts
Every item is built on one kind of graphic, and reading its , units, and first is half the work. A shows parts of a whole; a shows a process; a gauge shows a value on a scale.
Every Graphic Literacy item is built on one of these. Knowing what each one shows — and reading its axes, units, and legend first — is half the battle.
Compares amounts across categories — the tallest bar is the largest value.
Shows change over time — a rising line means increase, a flat line means no change.
Parts of a whole that total 100% — a half-circle sector is 50%.
Rows and columns — find a value where the right row and column meet.
A process in steps; a diamond is a yes/no decision point.
A needle on a scale — colored zones mark safe vs. danger ranges.
Scaled space — use the legend and scale to locate and measure.
Explains what each color or symbol means — read it first.
Locating & Comparing Data
The most common tasks are locating a single value and comparing values. On a , multiply a sector’s percent by the total to get a count; in a table, read where the right row and column meet; on a bar graph, the tallest bar is the largest value.
| Graphic | How to read a value |
|---|---|
| Bar graph | Compare bar heights; tallest = largest, shortest = smallest |
| Table | Find where the correct row and column intersect |
| Pie chart | Sector percent × total = the count for that category |
| Gauge / dial | Read the needle against the scale and its colored zones |
| Map / floor plan | Use the legend and scale to locate and measure |
Trends & Drawing Conclusions
Harder items ask you to read a — the overall direction of the data — and to make an the graphic supports. Answer only from what the data shows. Watch for a misleading axis that starts above zero and exaggerates small differences.
Checkpoint · Graphic Literacy
Question 1 of 10
A pie chart of a company budget shows the Salaries sector taking up exactly half of the circle. What percentage of the budget goes to salaries?
3 · Workplace Documents
Workplace Documents measures reading and applying real work texts — 35 questions in 55 minutes.[5] You read memos, emails, policies, handbooks, notices, and instructions, then find details, follow steps, and apply rules. Answer only from the document — not from outside knowledge.
Main Idea & Details
The foundation is finding the — the central point a document makes — and locating specific details. The main idea is broader than any one detail and is often stated near the beginning, in a title, or a topic sentence.
| Document | What it is |
|---|---|
| Memo / email | A brief internal message announcing or directing something |
| Policy / handbook | A formal set of rules describing acceptable conduct |
| Contract | A signed agreement setting out binding terms between parties |
| Regulation | A government rule setting legal requirements (often safety) |
| Notice | A posted announcement of a change, closure, or event |
| Instructions | Step-by-step directions for completing a task |
Instructions & If-Then Rules
Many items test whether you can follow steps in the right order and apply — first, next, before, after, until — tell you the order. For a conditional, check whether the “if” is true before applying the “then.”
Example: “If payment is more than 30 days late, then a 5% fee applies.” Paying on day 40 makes the condition true, so the 5% fee applies. Always check the “if” before the “then.”
Vocabulary & Applying Information
Higher levels ask you to infer a word’s meaning from context, decode acronyms like and , and apply information from one section to a new situation — sometimes combining facts across two parts of a document.
Checkpoint · Workplace Documents
Question 1 of 10
In a WorkKeys Workplace Documents task, what is the 'main idea' of a workplace document?
What NCRC Medal Do You Need?
WorkKeys is not pass/fail. Each assessment earns a level from 3 to 7, and your medal is the lowest of the three.[2] The higher the medal, the wider the range of jobs whose skill demands you have demonstrated:
Your certificate tier is the lowest of your three assessment levels. The width below shows roughly the share of WorkKeys-profiled jobs each tier qualifies you for.
Because the lowest score caps your medal, raising your weakest assessment is the fastest way to move up a tier.
Because the lowest score sets the tier, the fastest way to earn a higher medal is to raise your weakest assessment. Many test-takers retake a single assessment to move from, say, Silver to Gold.
How to Use This Study Guide
A study guide is a map, not the whole territory — use it alongside official ACT practice and our free tools. Because the lowest assessment caps your medal, find your weakest area first, then drill it until it is no longer the one holding you back.
- 1
Take all three checkpoints
The quick check at the end of each module exposes which assessment is weakest.
- 2
Target your lowest
Your NCRC medal is the lowest of three — so the weakest assessment is where the points are.
- 3
Drill the gaps
Send your weak assessment straight into the free practice questions and flashcards.
- 4
Prove it
Re-test with a full practice run until your weakest area clears the medal you want.
WorkKeys Concept Questions
Common workplace skills the WorkKeys assessments actually measure — at least one per assessment. Tap any card for a short, exam-ready answer backed by an official ACT source, then test yourself on them as flashcards.
WorkKeys Glossary
Quick definitions for the terms you’ll see most across the WorkKeys assessments:
- ACT WorkKeys
- A job-skills assessment system from ACT that measures real-world workplace skills. The three core assessments build the National Career Readiness Certificate.
- Applied Math
- The WorkKeys assessment that measures workplace math — whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages, conversions, area, volume, and rates. It has 34 questions in 55 minutes.
- Axis
- A labeled reference line on a graph. The horizontal and vertical axes tell you what each direction measures and in what units.
- Bronze NCRC
- Awarded for at least Level 3 on all three assessments. It reflects the skills needed for roughly 16% of jobs in the WorkKeys job-profile database.
- Conditional (if-then) rule
- A workplace rule that applies only when a stated condition is met, such as 'if payment is more than 30 days late, then a fee applies.'
- Flow chart
- A diagram of a process shown as steps connected by arrows. A diamond shape marks a yes/no decision point.
- Formula sheet
- An on-screen (or printed) reference provided during the Applied Math assessment listing common formulas and unit conversions, so you apply them rather than memorize them.
- Gold NCRC
- Awarded for at least Level 5 on all three assessments, reflecting skills for roughly 93% of profiled jobs.
- Graphic Literacy
- The WorkKeys assessment that measures reading and using graphics — charts, graphs, tables, diagrams, gauges, and maps. It has 38 questions in 55 minutes.
- Inference
- A supported conclusion a graphic or document implies but does not state directly. The correct inference is the one the data or text most strongly supports.
- Job profiling
- The process where an employer analyzes a job to set the minimum WorkKeys levels it requires, then compares applicants' NCRC scores to those targets.
- Legend
- The part of a graphic that explains what each color, symbol, or line stands for. Read it before interpreting any chart, map, or blueprint.
- Level score
- The score scale for each WorkKeys assessment, running from Level 3 (least complex) to Level 7 (most complex). Higher levels mean you handled harder tasks.
- Main idea
- The central point or purpose a document is communicating — broader than any single detail, but never beyond what the text actually says.
- Medal tier
- The NCRC certificate level — Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum — set by the lowest of your three assessment levels.
- NCRC
- National Career Readiness Certificate — a portable, nationally recognized credential earned by completing the three WorkKeys assessments: Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents.
- OSHA
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration — the U.S. agency that sets and enforces workplace safety and health standards.
- Pie chart
- A circular graphic divided into sectors that show parts of a whole; all sectors total 100%. A half-circle sector equals 50%.
- Platinum NCRC
- Awarded for at least Level 6 on all three assessments — the highest tier, reflecting skills for roughly 99% of profiled jobs.
- PPE
- Personal Protective Equipment — gear like gloves, goggles, and hard hats that workers wear to protect against job hazards.
- Signal words
- Words such as first, next, before, after, then, and until that show the required order or timing of steps in a procedure.
- Silver NCRC
- Awarded for at least Level 4 on all three assessments — the most common tier, reflecting skills for roughly 67% of profiled jobs.
- Trend
- The overall direction of data over time — rising, falling, or steady. Reading a trend means seeing the general pattern, not one data point.
- Workplace Documents
- The WorkKeys assessment that measures reading and applying real workplace texts — memos, emails, policies, handbooks, and instructions. It has 35 questions in 55 minutes.
Free WorkKeys Study Materials & Resources
Everything you need to prepare for WorkKeys is free here — no paywall, no sign-up. This guide is the foundation; pair it with the rest of our free WorkKeys study materials for active recall, timed practice, and last-minute review:
- WorkKeys Practice Test — exam-style questions across all three NCRC assessments, with explanations.
- WorkKeys Flashcards — active-recall decks for the formulas, graphic types, and workplace-document skills.
WorkKeys Study Guide FAQ
The National Career Readiness Certificate is built from three WorkKeys assessments: Applied Math (34 questions), Graphic Literacy (38 questions), and Workplace Documents (35 questions). Each is multiple choice, runs 55 minutes, and is taken as a separate, individually timed assessment.
WorkKeys is not pass/fail. Each of the three assessments is scored on a level scale from Level 3 to Level 7, and your NCRC medal is set by the lowest level you earn across all three. So raising your weakest assessment is what raises your certificate.
There are four tiers, each requiring that level on all three assessments: Bronze (Level 3), Silver (Level 4), Gold (Level 5), and Platinum (Level 6). A higher medal signals you can handle the skill demands of a wider range of jobs.
Yes. Calculators are permitted on the Applied Math assessment, and a formula sheet with unit conversions is provided — embedded in the online test or printed in the paper booklet. You still need the math skills to choose and apply the right formula.
Graphic Literacy measures finding, comparing, and drawing conclusions from graphics — bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts, tables, flow charts, gauges, maps, and floor plans. Easier items ask you to locate one value; harder items ask you to integrate information across several graphics.
Workplace Documents measures reading and applying real workplace texts — memos, emails, policies, handbooks, notices, and instructions. Tested skills include finding the main idea and details, applying if-then rules, determining word meaning from context, and combining information across sections.
Work through the three assessment modules, then take each module's checkpoint to find your gaps. Because the lowest assessment sets your NCRC medal, focus your time on whichever one is weakest, and drill it with our free practice questions and flashcards before test day.
Yes — the full guide, the checkpoints, the glossary, the practice questions, and the flashcards are 100% free, with no account required.
References
- 1.ACT, Inc.. “ACT WorkKeys Assessments.” ACT. ↑
- 2.ACT, Inc.. “ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC).” ACT. ↑
- 3.ACT, Inc.. “WorkKeys Applied Math.” ACT. ↑
- 4.ACT, Inc.. “WorkKeys Graphic Literacy.” ACT. ↑
- 5.ACT, Inc.. “WorkKeys Workplace Documents.” ACT. ↑
Sources for the concept answers
Every answer in the WorkKeys concept questions above is drawn from an official primary source:
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