ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)

The NCRC is a nationally recognized credential that validates foundational workplace skills by measuring a range of hard and soft skills relevant to any occupation, at any level, and across industries.

People earn a NCRC by achieving a score of three or higher on ACT WorkKeys assessments in Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents. In each assessment, there are five levels of difficulty. Level 3 is the least complex, and Level 7 is the most complex.

Score levels determine whether an individual earns a Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze NCRC, allowing job seekers to demonstrate they are fit for a particular job, and helping employers hire the right people for the right jobs. Scores can be used in hiring and advancement decisions, as well as to track employees' growth in skills over time.

Whether it's the next phase of education, a new career, or a transition from current work, the NCRC can open the door of opportunity for anyone looking to grow and advance.

Applied Math

The Applied Math assessment measures critical thinking, mathematical reasoning, and problem solving techniques for situations that actually occur in today's workplace. While individuals may use calculators and conversion tables to help with the problems on the assessment, math skills are still needed to think them through.

Number of Items: 34

Test Length: 55 minutes

Graphic Literacy

From charts to graphs, diagrams to floor plans, identifying what information is being presented and understanding how to use it are critical to success. The Graphic Literacy assessment measures skills that individuals use when they read and comprehend graphical materials to solve work-related problems.

Number of Items: 38

Test Length: 55 minutes

Workplace Documents

The Workplace Documents assessment measures skills that individuals use when they read real workplace documents and use that information to make job-related decisions and solve problems. The documents include messages, emails, letters, directions, signs, bulletins, policies, websites, contracts, and regulations.

Number of Items: 35

Test Length: 55 minutes