WorkKeys NCRC scores explained

The National Career Readiness Certificate combines Applied Math, Graphic Literacy and Workplace Documents. Your lowest score across these three assessments determines your certificate tier.

Choose your WorkKeys practiceSee score examples
Minimum official level in each of the three assessments
NCRC tierApplied MathGraphic LiteracyWorkplace Documents
Bronze333
Silver444
Gold555
Platinum666

ACT National Career Readiness Certificate requirements

How three scores become one certificate tier

A high math score does not raise the other scores

Applied Math 7 · Graphic Literacy 6 · Workplace Documents 5

Gold

All three scores reach 5. Workplace Documents is below 6, so this combination does not meet Platinum.

Focus preparation on the score below your target

Applied Math 5 · Graphic Literacy 4 · Workplace Documents 5

Silver

For a Gold target, Graphic Literacy is the section below the required level. Averaging these scores does not determine the certificate.

Platinum requires 6 in every subject

Applied Math 7 · Graphic Literacy 6 · Workplace Documents 6

Platinum

Each score is at least 6. A Level 7 score is not required in every assessment for Platinum.

If any of the three scores is below Level 3, the Bronze minimum is not met. A high score in another subject cannot make up the difference.

Keep these three kinds of result separate

What each result tells you
ResultMeaning
Official level scoreACT’s reported skill level for an assessment. NCRC tier requirements use the level score in each of the three core subjects.
Official scale scoreACT’s more detailed score measure, useful for showing growth within its scoring system. It is not the same number as a level score.
Practice resultYour correct answers, accuracy, time and skill breakdown on our original questions. Use it to plan study; it does not award or predict an official level or certificate.

ACT WorkKeys score explanation. There is no raw-percentage conversion from our question bank to ACT levels.

Prepare for all three core assessments

Applied Math

34 questions · 55 minutes

Calculator permitted

Solve workplace problems involving quantities, measurements, rates, geometry and formulas.

View Applied Math practice

Build a preparation plan around your target

  1. 1.Confirm the target

    Read your employer’s or program’s requirements. Record whether it asks for an NCRC tier, specific assessment levels or both. A certificate tier and a job’s requirements answer different questions.

  2. 2.Check all three subjects

    Start with a short drill in Applied Math, Graphic Literacy and Workplace Documents. Use the results to find recurring skill gaps. If you already have official scores, compare each one with your target.

  3. 3.Give the limiting subject the most attention

    For Gold, a 5–4–5 score combination points to the subject scored 4. Focus your next sessions there while keeping the other subjects in rotation. Without official scores, use error patterns to prioritize your practice.

  4. 4.Move from learning to timed work

    Work through explanations and focused drills first. Then complete a full 55-minute practice in each subject. Review accuracy, unanswered questions and pacing separately; none is a conversion to an official level.

  5. 5.Prepare for the appointment

    Use your testing provider’s instructions for identification, arrival, allowed materials and any approved arrangements. The certificate comes from official testing; completing practice here prepares you for that appointment.

Common questions

What are the NCRC score requirements?

Bronze requires at least Level 3 on Applied Math, Graphic Literacy and Workplace Documents. Silver requires at least 4 in each, Gold at least 5 in each and Platinum at least 6 in each.

Are the three WorkKeys scores averaged?

No. Each core assessment must meet the minimum for the certificate tier. A higher score in one subject does not compensate for another subject below that minimum.

Can I earn an NCRC with a score below Level 3?

All three core assessment scores must be at least Level 3 to meet the Bronze requirement. A result below 3 in any one of them leaves that requirement unmet, even if the other two scores are high.

What is the difference between a level score and a scale score?

ACT reports level scores to describe the workplace skill requirements demonstrated. Scale scores provide a more detailed measure within its scoring system. NCRC tier requirements use the level scores on the three core assessments.

Does a practice percentage tell me my NCRC tier?

No. A result such as 30 correct out of 38 original practice questions is useful for reviewing your work, but it is not an official level score. There is no percentage-to-certificate conversion on this site.

Does one practice pass include all three assessments?

Each assessment has its own pass. A Graphic Literacy pass covers Graphic Literacy practice, a Workplace Documents pass covers Workplace Documents practice, and an Applied Math pass covers Applied Math practice. Buying one does not unlock the other two.

Official ACT references

Independent preparation from Game Assessment Prep; not affiliated with or endorsed by ACT.