ACT® WorkKeys Workplace Documents Free Practice Test
The WorkKeys workplace document test is one of the 8 sections of the ACT® WorkKeys test, an evaluation tool that assesses your job performances and work-related "hard" and "soft" skills.
This section measures your ability to comprehend and interpret written materials and use this information to make decisions and solve problems.
Passing the workplace document section of the test is mandatory for receiving the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC).
On this page, you will find everything you need to pass the ACT WorkKeys workplace document test, with sample questions, detailed answers, and preparation tips.
Scoring high on the WorkKeys test will demand solid verbal reasoning skills, best achieved with proper practice and guidance. Make sure to check our:
ACT WorkKeys Test Guide and Practice • Free WorkKeys Practice Test
The ACT WorkKeys workplace document assesses the ability to read, interpret and use written materials you will come across in your work.
The test has 5 difficulty levels, ranging from 3 to 7. The difficulty of each level builds on the previous one so that, for example, level 5 will require you to use the skills from levels 3 and 4.
You will have 55 minutes to answer 35 questions.
This section of the WorkKeys test can be administered by computer or pencil-and-paper, depending on the testing center you registered at.
If you're looking for free practice, you can check our Free Workkeys Practice Test.
In level 3 of the WorkKeys workplace document test, you will be presented with short and simple reading materials such as basic company policies and procedures. You will need to demonstrate skills such as identifying the text's main idea and applying instructions to situations as detailed in your reading materials.
Let's see how it looks –
New Company Instructions #1: Dishwashers
To prevent accidents, all Highland plumbers must now work according to specific instructions. This is the first guide: dishwasher removal.
Step 1: Turn the power and water off.
Step 2: Pull out the old dishwasher and remove it from under the counter.
Step 3: Follow the electrical cord to where it is connected.
Step 4: Disconnect the electrical cord from the power source.
Step 5: Locate the water line under the dishwasher and remove it.
Step 6: Locate the dishwasher's drain line under the sink.
Step 7: Disconnect the dishwasher's drain line from the sink's drain line.
Now that the dishwasher is completely disconnected, remove it and clean out the area. You can now move to our second guide on how to install a new dishwasher.
You are a Highland plumber. What must you do immediately after locating the water line under the dishwasher?
Step 5 says that after locating the water line under the dishwasher, you must remove it.
Answer (A) is incorrect because it describes a step that is done later (Step 7).
Answer (B) is incorrect because it is not an action detailed anywhere in the instructions, and so it should be ignored.
Answer (C) is incorrect because this step has already been completed (Step 2).
Answer (D), similarly, has already been completed (Step 4).
The correct answer is E
KCF Inc. Memo: Time Management
Take a minute to read these recommendations about time management:
1. Take the first twenty minutes of every day to review your schedule. Mark down the things most important for that day.
2. Carry the schedule with you so that you can use it for reference when needed. If any new events are added to your weekly schedule, write them down.
3. Dedicate ten minutes at the end of the day to review the schedule and see how you spent your time.
4. Take five minutes before every business call to decide what result you wish to attain. Review what insurance options you can offer a client and know exactly what you are aiming to sell.
5. Put up a "Do not disturb" sign when you absolutely have to get work done.
In what line of business does KCF operate?
As can be seen in paragraph (4), KCF offers insurance to its clients.
All other answers are professions that do not appear in the text.
The correct answer is D
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In addition to the type of questions you answered in level 3, you will be presented with more complicated reading materials, such as notices that can include uncommon vocabulary, multi-step procedures, and information that requires deductions from the text. You will need to demonstrate skills such as figuring out the meaning of words and phrases and making decisions when the conditions change.
Let's check it out –
State Code: Workplace Violence
Workplace violence is defined as an act of violent behavior that occurs at the work site. It can include threats, verbal abuse, physical assaults, and even homicide. Workplace violence can affect employees, clients, customers, and visitors. Research has identified factors that may increase the risk of violence at some work sites:
• Coming in direct physical contact or providing direct care to the public
• Working alone or in isolated areas
• Working late at night or in areas with high crime rates
If any company employee witnesses an act of violence, he or she must report that act to a superior. This is a mandatory policy in all workplaces regardless of the type of business the employee works in. This policy should cover all violence toward workers, patients, clients, visitors, contractors, and anyone else who may come in contact with company personnel.
You work in a supermarket. You witness a fellow worker verbally abusing a customer. According to the State Code, what must you do?
According to the State Code, if an employee witnesses an act of violence, he or she must report it immediately to a superior - in this case, the supermarket manager.
Answer (A) is incorrect because the State Code applies not only to employees but also to clients.
Answer (B) is incorrect because the State Code specifically states that verbal abuse is considered to be workplace violence.
Answer (D) is incorrect because while this may seem intuitively like the right thing to do, the State Code does not require it.
Answer (E) is incorrect because the State Code states that the reporting policy is applicable to all workplaces, regardless of their business.
The correct answer is C
• Construction Work Notice
Until construction work is complete, some of the elevators and hallways of the municipality building will be closed. The top three floors of the building will be inaccessible. So, the finance and human resource departments will be temporarily moved to the basement. Municipality employees working between the 5th and 8th floor should take the elevator to the 4th floor and then the stairs from there. Employees who can’t use the stairs should temporarily move their offices to the common area in the west wing. Public relations employees should move to the second floor of the main building as the hallway leading to the east wing will be closed off. This coming Wednesday, access to all offices below the 5th floor will be closed. We apologize for the inconvenience. Remember, it is all for a good cause!
You work in the finance department. Where will you work for the duration of the construction work?
The notice states that as the top three floors will be inaccessible, the finance department is being moved to the basement.
Answer (A) is incorrect because the notice does not state which departments are to be relocated to the 8th floor.
Answer (C) is incorrect because the finance department was located on one of the top three floors before construction started, but these floors are inaccessible while construction continues.
Answer (D) is incorrect because the second floor is where the public relations department will move for the duration of the construction work.
Answer (E) is incorrect because the west wing is designated to temporarily house employees from the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth floors who are unable to take the stairs. Those who can take the stairs will continue working there, which indicates that these floors are to remain open, and therefore cannot include the finance department, whose offices will be closed off entirely.
The correct answer is B
Practice all difficulty levels of the WorkKeys workplace document test, with full simulation, detailed explanations, and a score report to track your progress!
In addition to the type of questions you answered in levels 3 and 4, you will be presented with reading materials such as contracts and legal documents that can include conditionals and technical terms. You will need to demonstrate skills such as identifying the meaning of jargon and acronyms and making inferences to accomplish goals.
Let's view practice questions –
To: All Arclight Employees
Re: Company Departmental Reorganization
As you all know, we have recently been through a large-scale reorganization of all technological departments. It has been brought to our attention that this reorganization might have caused some confusion as to the company’s new structure. A detailed explanation will be provided by each department manager. In the meantime, attached here is an overview of the new departments (now called ‘groups’) and their main responsibilities:
Storage and Memory Group: The Storage and Memory Group includes affordable hard drives and disk-on-keys, as well as fair-price DVD devices and RAM drivers, among other products. Arclight has been the market leader in affordable technology of these products ever since it developed its trademarked DiskO over fifteen years ago.
Computers Group: The Computers Group offers laptops and tablets, varying in size and features. Arclight is expected to expand this group to incorporate smartphone manufacturing within the coming year, when relevant research is completed. These will become Arclight’s highest-priced products.
Peripheral Devices Group: In this group, Arclight offers computer and cellular phone accessories, such as mice, keyboards, and headphones. The prices of these products vary, depending upon changing economic conditions. Last year, the prices for these products proved to be too low for customers, which inspired a lack of confidence.
Limited Edition Products Group: Arclight has produced several limited edition products. These include the Arclight Razor Thin Ultrabook and Arclight Phantom cameras. The company has discontinued production of these products, considerably higher-priced than other Arclight products, in spite of their high profitability, in order to preserve their exclusivity.
Gadgets Group: Arclight’s newest group, the Gadgets group, offers a wide range of small-sized peripheral products that are not necessarily technological but rather technology-related: keychains, mouse mats, screen lights, water bottles, and more. This is Arclight’s “greenest” group, which takes pride in its use of sustainable materials and low prices.
Why does Arclight not produce smartphones?
"Arclight is expected to expand this group to incorporate smartphone manufacturing within the coming year, when relevant research is completed"
Answer (A) is incorrect because smartphones being too cheap is not something that is mentioned anywhere in the text.
Answer (B) is incorrect. On the contrary, smartphones are projected to become the company's most expensive item when they leave the development stage.
Answer (D) is incorrect because the DVD and RAM drivers are made in the Storage and Memory Group and are not related to the Computer Group where smartphones will be manufactured.
Answer (E) is incorrect because the reason Arclight does not produce smartphones is not explained in the text as being related to the reorganization efforts.
The correct answer is C
Renewals
To keep your state driving privilege valid, the renewal may be completed six months before your license expires (usually on your birthday). The license can still be renewed three months after its expiration, until which you are entitled to your driving privileges, but these expire at midnight three months after the expiration date and are not valid until the renewal is processed. Driver's licenses issued to foreign nationals whose presence in the United States is temporarily authorized under federal law may not be renewed by mail.
Type of Driver License Exam Station Renewal Options
Full-service driver's license holders must renew their licenses and pay their fees in person at the state office. This requires scheduling an appointment a month in advance. Rural, limited-service driver's license holders must renew in person, but they should first pay for their license at the county treasurer’s office and get a prepaid receipt, which should be presented to the driver examiner.
If you are a state resident who is temporarily outside the state and will not return before the expiration of your state driver's license, you may renew by mail. However, after renewing by mail, your next renewal must be completed in person at a driver's license exam station.
What is the amount of time given to a state driver's license holder from the day he is first allowed to renew his license to the day he is no longer allowed to drive?
A state driver's license holder can renew his license six months before it expires, and then he is allowed to drive three months after it expires (he holds his “driving privileges”). This amounts to a total of nine months.
Answer (A) is incorrect because while true that a state driver's license holder can renew his license six months before it expires, he is still allowed to drive three months after it expires (he holds his “driving privileges”).
Answer (B) is incorrect because while a state driver's license holder is allowed to drive three months after it expires (he holds his “driving privileges”), he has a chance to renew his license six months before it expires.
Answer (D) is incorrect because the maximum amount of time a state license holder is given to renew his license (see answer C) is nine months.
Answer (E) is incorrect because the one month refers to the notice time needed to schedule an appointment at the state office.
The correct answer is C
In addition to the type of question you answered in levels 3 to 5, you will be presented with reading materials that can include longer passages with complex sentences and extraneous details and conditionals. You will need to demonstrate skills such as inferring implied details and identifying the rationale behind a document.
Let's solve some practice questions –
Ohio State Law
Riding on roadways and bicycle paths
A. Any person operating a bicycle shall obey the instructions of official traffic-control regulations, signals, signs, and other control devices applicable to vehicles, unless directed otherwise by a police officer. Whenever authorized signs indicating that no right or left is permitted are present, no person operating a bicycle shall disobey the direction of any such sign. Such a person shall dismount from the bicycle to make any such turn and obey the regulations applicable to pedestrians.
B. Every person operating a bicycle when riding upon a roadway shall further avoid making any right, left, or U-turn except:
• When the road is completely clear of vehicles.
• When the rider of the bicycle is given the right of way from any approaching vehicles via a clearly visible signal, such as blinking of lights.
• When such a turn is necessary to avoid risk and potential danger.
C. Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near the right-hand side of the road as practicable, except:
• When moving at the same speed as traffic.
• When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
• When reasonably necessary to avoid hazardous conditions (including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or narrow-width lanes) that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge.
• When approaching a location where there is reasonable probability that a motor vehicle may turn right, crossing the bicycle's path.
When is it permissible to make a right-hand turn while staying on the bicycle?
Answer (E) describes a situation in which a right turn is necessary to avoid the danger of riding alongside fast cars on a road that is not wide enough for it. Avoidance of risk or danger is the last out of three conditions under which the Law allows cyclists to make a turn while mounted on their bike.
Answer (A) is incorrect because there are several conditions under which a right turn is permissible, as stipulated in the passage.
Answer (B) is incorrect because the conditions detailed in it are taken from a part of the law dictating the side of the road a cyclist must drive on.
Answer (C) is, once again, an exception to the rule regarding riding on the right side of the road. It is not one of the conditions for making a right turn.
Answer (D) is incorrect because a right-hand turn is allowed when there is either no traffic at all or when there is immediate danger. Light traffic is excluded by the strong wording: "When the road is completely clear of vehicles".
The correct answer is E
The following extract is from the Department for Education’s letter informing parents of “Advice on the admission of summer-born children,” December 2016.
1.
A child reaches compulsory school age on the prescribed day following his or her fifth birthday (or on his or her fifth birthday if it falls on a prescribed day). The prescribed days are 31 December, 31 March, and 31 August. The term "summer-born" is used to refer to children born from 1 April to 31 August. These children are not required to start school until a full school year after the point at which they could have first been admitted.
2.
2A. School admission authorities are required to provide for the admission of all children in the September following their fifth birthday, but flexibilities exist for summer-born children whose parents do not feel they are emotionally ready to begin school in the school year starting immediately after their fifth birthday. They should note that while evidence shows that, statistically speaking, summer-born children tend to perform less well on school tests, teachers are skilled at differentiating the curriculum to meet a diverse range of needs.
2B. Where a parent requests admission for a child out of his or her normal age group, the school admission authority is responsible for making the decision to which year group the child should be admitted. The authority is required to make a decision on the basis of the circumstances of the case and in the best interests of the child concerned.
2C. There is no statutory barrier to children being admitted outside their normal age group, but parents do not have the right to insist that their child be admitted to a particular age group.
2D. In cases in which a school’s capacity does not allow for the admission of children in a certain age group, priority in admission will be given to the oldest children. Summer-born children, in these cases, may be required to postpone their entry into the school system for one year.
Why would parents want a "summer-born" child to start his studies a year after his designated school year, out of his normal age group?
The letter to the parents states this as a reason parents might want to postpone their child's admission to school — the child might not be emotionally ready.
Answer (A) is incorrect because the ministry allows parents to decide whether to postpone their children’s schooling or not. It is not a requirement.
Answer (B) is incorrect because the letter states that teachers are “skilled at differentiating the curriculum to meet a diverse range of needs." That is, they adjust the material to the needs of the younger children.
Answer (C) is incorrect because there is no guarantee that a certain school will be less crowded in a particular year, and it stands to reason that the number of students will remain relatively steady from one year to the next. In any case, this is not mentioned in the letter..
Answer (D) is incorrect because the study mentioned in the letter states that "summer-born" children underperform. It does not say that older children perform better necessarily.
The correct answer is E
To ace the WorkKeys test, you must familiarize yourself with the different sections of the test and their unique challenges.
With JobTestPrep’s PrePack, you will get full simulations of the required sections for gaining the NCRC – Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, Workplace Documents, and additional Applied Technology practice and Business Writing interactive test!
Or read more about our ACT WorkKeys Preparation Pack
In addition to the type of questions you answered in levels 3 to 6, you will be presented with very complex reading materials that can include many details, complicated concepts, and unclear writing. You will need to demonstrate skills such as applying instructions and principles to a situation not directly described in the document.
Let's see how it looks –
SFAR Regulations
(b) Aeronautical Experience:
(1) No person may act as pilot in command of a Robinson model R-22 for a period that is not limited to six months unless that person—
(i) Has had at least 200 flight hours in helicopters, at least 50 flight hours of which were in the Robinson R-22; or
(ii) Has had at least 10 hours of dual instruction in the Robinson R-22 and has received an endorsement from a certified flight instructor authorized under paragraph (b)(5) of this section that the individual has been given the training required by this paragraph and is proficient to act as pilot in command of an R-22. This type of license will also be limited to 12 calendar months after the date of the endorsement. After said period, the individual may not act as pilot in command unless the individual receives a new endorsement.
(2) No person may act as pilot in command of a Robinson R-44 for a period that is not limited to six months unless that person—
(i) Has had at least 200 flight hours in helicopters, at least 50 flight hours of which were in the Robinson R-44. The pilot in command may credit up to 25 flight hours in the Robinson R-22 toward the 50-hour requirement in the Robinson R-44; or
(ii) Has had at least 10 hours of dual instruction in a Robinson helicopter, at least five hours of which must have been accomplished in the Robinson R-44, endorsed and authorized under the same requirements detailed under paragraph (1)(ii) of this section.
(3) A person who does not hold a rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating must have had at least 20 hours of dual instruction in a Robinson R-22 helicopter prior to the commencement of any instruction that would count toward the required aeronautical experience required for the commanding of either a Robinson R-22 or Robinson R-44, as detailed under paragraphs (1-2) of this section.
(5) No certificated flight instructor may provide instruction or conduct a flight review in a Robinson R-22 or R-44 unless that instructor:
(i) Completes the awareness training in paragraph 2(a) of this SFAR.
(ii) For the Robinson R-22, has had at least 200 flight hours in helicopters, at least 50 flight hours of which were in the Robinson R-22, or for the Robinson R-44, has had at least 200 flight hours in helicopters, 50 flight hours of which were in Robinson helicopters. Up to 25 flight hours of Robinson R-22 flight time may be credited toward the 50-hour requirement.
You are a helicopter class-rated pilot. You have 195 hours of flight experience, 30 hours of which are on a Robinson R-44 and 10 on a Robinson R-22. A flight instructor claims you may only receive a temporary endorsement for commanding a Robinson R-44. What must you do to receive a permanent license?
This is the only option that will fulfill the requirements needed for piloting a Robinson R-44, as detailed in (2)(i). Twenty-five hours of flight experience on the Robinson R-22 may be counted toward the 50-hour requirement for the Robinson R-44.
Answer (A) is incorrect because an endorsement will only obtain you a temporary license, which requires renewal every 12 months.
Answer (B) is incorrect because an additional five hours will only amount to 35 hours on the Robinson R-44 and 10 more on the Robinson R-22, while the requirement is for 50.
Answer (D) is incorrect because, as the question states, you already have a helicopter rating, and the regulations say nothing of a “rating level II.”
Answer (E) is incorrect because while five hours would fulfill the requirement of 200 total hours, it would still miss the necessary 50 hours of flight experience on a Robinson R-44.
The correct answer is C
ICC IBC High-Rise Constriction Regulations
403.2.3 Structural integrity of exit enclosures and elevator hoistway enclosures. For high-rise buildings of occupancy category III or IV in accordance with the previous section, and for all buildings that are more than 420 feet (128 m) in building height, exit enclosures and elevator hoistway enclosures shall comply with Sections 403.2.3.1 through 403.2.3.4.
403.2.3.1 Wall assembly. The wall assemblies making up the exit enclosures and elevator hoistway enclosures shall meet or exceed Soft Body Impact Classification 2009 Level 2 as measured by the test method described in ASTM C 1629/C.
403.2.3.2 Wall assembly materials. The wall assemblies making up the exit enclosures and elevator hoistway enclosures, for all floors of the building starting from the first floor and including all floors constructed underground, shall be constructed in accordance with one of the following methods:
403.2.3.3 Concrete and masonry walls. Concrete or masonry walls shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of Sections 403.2.3.1 and 403.2.3.2. 403.2.3.4. Other wall assemblies. Any other wall assembly that provides impact resistance equivalent to that required by Sections 403.2.3.1 and 403.2.3.2 for Hard Body Impact Classification Level 3, as measured by the test method described in ASTM C 1629/C, shall be permitted.
An engineer declared a newly constructed high-rise building to be in violation of the ICC IBC. Which of the following could not be the reason?
This is the only answer that does not violate the ICC IBC regulations. Masonry walls must fill the requirements of “multiple layers of any material,” meaning they must meet or exceed a Hard Body Impact Classification Level 3 test.
Answer (A) is incorrect because the wall in it has not been tested in the required test (Soft Body Impact).
Answer (B) is incorrect because if a wall is made of impact-resistant construction board, the regulations require two layers.
Answer (C) is incorrect because the cement boards in it were tested separately, while the regulations require the test to be done “in tandem” (meaning together, or simultaneously).
Answer (E) is incorrect because a concrete wall, like masonry, must be of multiple layers and must pass a Hard Body Impact Classification Level 3 test, not Level 2.
The correct answer is D
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Don't leave unanswered questions
The WorkKeys Workplace Documents Test score is calculated by the number of correct answers and is not reduced by incorrect ones. So, if you are unsure what the right answer is, it is better for you to guess than leave an unanswered question.
The answer lies within the text
You are not required to analyze data in this section of the ACT WorkKeys test. All the information you need can be found in the text itself or derived from it.
Follow the steps
Most reading materials you will receive, like memos and policies, have a set of steps and instructions; some are obvious, and some are hidden between the lines. Once you figure those out the correct answer will be clear.
With JobTestPrep's WorkKeys assessment test PrepPack, you will go through all difficulty levels of the WorkKeys workplace document test, with simulation tests that cover all skills needed from levels 3 to 7.
Or read more about our ACT WorkKeys Preparation Pack
