2. The Facts
• The state pays for all juniors to take one test—ACT orWorkKeys—at their own
schools during the mid-March test date
• North Dakota juniors will test on March 15, 2016
• Juniors can choose the test they would like to take
• Juniors can only take one test on the statewide test date
• Students can pay to take or retake either test on a national test date
3. The ACT
• ACT is a national college admissions examination
• Consists of tests in four subject areas:
-English
-Reading
-Mathematics
-Science
-Writing (optional)
• Includes 215 multiple choice questions
• Testing time is 2 hours and 55 minutes (plus 40 minutes for optional writing test)
4. TheWorkKeys
• WorkKeys is a job skills assessment system
• Measures eight workplace skills:
-Applied Mathematics -Workplace Observation
-AppliedTechnology -Reading for Information
-Listening for Understanding -Teamwork
-Locating Information -BusinessWriting
• Measures three soft skills:
-Fit
-Talent
-Performance
• Features questions that mirror everyday workplace problems
5. Preparing for theTest
ACT: Based on subjects you’ve
learned or are learning in school
• Challenging HS courses
• Online practice tests
• Test prep books
• Test-taking tips for each subject
• Vocabulary study guides
WorkKeys: Based on hands-on
application of workplace info
• Online practice tests
• ACT Career Curriculum
• Paper-pencil practice tests
• Review of test characteristics
• Test prep booklets
6. Benefits
ACT
• Required for entrance to four-year
colleges and universities
• Accepted at many two-year colleges
• Score of 24 required for ND state
academic scholarship
• High scores can earn additional
scholarships
WorkKeys
• Accepted at many two-year colleges
and trade schools
• Passing scores are required for some
jobs
• Scores of 5 or more on three tests
required for ND state career and
technical education scholarship
7. Benefits
ACT
• Rewards students for what they know
(not penalized for guessing)
• Provides an interest inventory that
can be used for career and
educational planning
• Helps colleges find you and recruit
you
WorkKeys
• Helps students stand out from job
applicants who have not taken the
WorkKeys to measure their skills
• Provides students with a better
understanding of their job skills
• Increases the chances of the student
matching their skills to the right job
8. Making a Decision
Ask yourself these questions:
• What are my educational goals after high school?
• Do I plan to take both the ACT and the WorkKeys at some point?
• If yes, the ACT costs more so it would be smarter to have that test paid for by the state.
• If yes, have you already taken one or the other? It may be beneficial to take the one you
have not taken yet.
• Does my intended career path require one test over the other?
