What is it? How will it help? How is it scored? What’s on it?

WHAT IS IT? Job Skills Assessment Administered by ACT Officially called: “ACT National Career Readiness Certificate” Measures real world job skills that employers are looking for

Why Do We Do It?

How Will it Help Me? Recognized, recommended, and even required by thousands of employers & colleges Some colleges offer course credit for scores of Silver or higher! Credential to offer employers that gives you an advantage in getting a job Certifies that you have skills in 3 areas: Locating Information Applied Mathematics Reading for Information

How Will it Help Me? ENC employers supporting the CRC More than 80 employers here in Pitt County support the use of the Career Readiness Certificate. Everyone eventually enters the world of work, at different times and in different ways.

WHEN IS IT? Tuesday December 6 Tuesday February 7 For Early Grads and a few other seniors Tuesday February 7 All other seniors who did not test in December

HOW IS IT SCORED? Certificate Level Level Score Requirements Platinum Minimum score of 6 on each of the three tests Gold Minimum score of 5 on each of the three tests Silver Minimum score of 4 on each of the three tests Bronze Minimum score of 3 on each of the three tests

HOW IS IT SCORED? Example: YOU WOULD RECEIVE A BRONZE CERTIFICATE *It is NOT the average…it is by your lowest score.* Example: You score the following: Locating Information= Gold Reading for Information= Gold Applied Mathematics= Bronze YOU WOULD RECEIVE A BRONZE CERTIFICATE

*13% Score below Bronze = no certificate* Percentage of U.S. High School Students Earning The Certificate* <1% 47% 22% 18% Of all individuals taking the WorkKeys Assessments (including students and adults), these percentages earned the respective credential. 13% of the examinees did not receive a certificate *13% Score below Bronze = no certificate* 10

What To Do With My Scores Include WorkKeys scores on resumes and job applications and bring to job interviews Check with your college/university about receiving course credit

www.myworkkeys.com Make scores and NCRC available to employers Keep track of WorkKeys scores For more information, go to: www.act.org/certificate/order.html

WHAT’S ON IT? Different Level of Questions: 3 Sections: Locating Information Applied Mathematics Reading for Information Different Level of Questions: Level 3 = Bronze– easiest– everybody should get these correct Level 4 = Silver– a little tougher, but most everyone can figure out Level 5 = Gold– tougher questions that require more thought and problem solving skills Level 6 = Platinum– the toughest questions requiring critical thinking skills

Locating Information 38 word problems (55 minutes) Each question uses one or more graphics (1-9) = Level 3 - Bronze (10-18) = Level 4 - Silver (19-28) = Level 5 - Gold (29-38) = Level 6 - Platinum Slow down, score more! Ex: Attempt all 38, get 17 right  Level 4 Attempt 28, get 19 right, LOTD on remaining 10 (+2 more) = 21  Level 5 15

Types of graphics Forms Tables and charts Graphs Diagrams

Applied Mathematics 33 word problems (55 minutes) Math  real-world situations (1-6) = Level 3 - Bronze (7-13) = Level 4 - Silver (14-20) = Level 5 - Gold (21-27) = Level 6 - Platinum (28-33) = Level 7 - Platinum– you have scored the highest this test measures Question # is related to item difficulty so spend more time in beginning to ensure you get them right! 17

Math – Tips & Tricks Break it down into small pieces Pace yourself Your calculator is only as smart as you are! Use the formulas provided! The math test is more of a reading test – every problem is a word problem Break it down – when there’s something to figure out, stop, figure it out and write it down before you move on Calculator – be sure you know what you’re doing; use common sense Use 3.14 for pi instead of the pi key on calculator 18

Math Topics Fractions, Decimals and Percentages Rates and Averages Proportions and Recipes Geometry Conversions Fractions: Bowtie method for adding/subtracting fractions and comparing fractions EX: ¾ - ½ = EX: Which drill bit falls between ½” and ¼” Recipe Box (sample) Conversions = Proportions Use UKPS / box method to solve Deals – can you find the best deal (cheapest option)? - Deals found on second half of test only 19

Reading for Information 33 questions (55 minutes) (1-16) = Level 3 - Bronze (17-20) = Level 4 - Silver (21-24) = Level 5 - Gold (25-28) = Level 6 - Platinum (29-33) = Level 7 - Platinum– you have scored the highest this test measures

Reading for Information Topics Memos Announcements Notices Emails Steps/Procedures Policies Regulations/Legal Regulations

Career Development Coordinator QUESTIONS? Ashleigh Wagoner J.H. Rose Career Development Coordinator WagoneA@pitt.k12.nc.us