The ACT WorkKeys Curriculum is an online learning platform built to prepare students and job seekers for the WorkKeys assessments and the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC).
It’s not the test itself — it’s the prep course. Here’s how it’s structured and what to expect.
Since 2025, ACT has delivered it through MasteryPrep, which adds video lessons and adaptive learning paths.
WorkKeys Curriculum vs. WorkKeys Assessment vs. NCRC
Searchers often mix up three different things. They form a simple sequence: learn, test, then earn.
| Term | What It Is | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| WorkKeys Curriculum | Online prep course | Builds skills before testing |
| WorkKeys Assessment | Timed skills test at an authorized site | Measures your skill level |
| NCRC | Certificate you earn | Shows employers your skill level |
To earn an NCRC, you must score at least Level 3 on Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents.
The curriculum teaches, the assessment measures, and the NCRC certifies.
Curriculum use is optional. The NCRC depends only on your assessment scores.
What Courses Are Included in the WorkKeys Curriculum
The platform groups its courses into three tiers.
Core NCRC-aligned courses match the three NCRC assessments:
- Applied Math: workplace calculations, ratios, percentages, and unit conversions
- Graphic Literacy: reading tables, charts, graphs, and diagrams
- Workplace Documents: reading emails, policies, and contracts
Extended WorkKeys-aligned courses prepare you for other WorkKeys assessments:
- Applied Technology: electricity, fluid dynamics, mechanics, and thermodynamics
- Business Writing: sentence structure, organization, and persuasive writing
- Workplace Observation: memory, attention to detail, and following procedures
Essential Skills courses cover employability topics like Working in Teams, Work Discipline, Financial Awareness, and Customer Service.
The NCRC covers only the three core skills. The extended and essential courses are optional add-ons.
On the MasteryPrep platform, the three NCRC-aligned courses received the biggest upgrade. ACT says all non-NCRC course content stays the same.
How the Curriculum Levels Work (1 Through 7)
Levels 1 through 7 apply to the three core courses. Each level builds on the one before it.
A typical learner path looks like this:
- Diagnostic: An adaptive diagnostic finds your skill gaps and sets a learning plan.
- Level modules: Short lessons, microvideos, and interactive practice cover one skill at a time.
- End-of-level quiz: Each level closes with a quiz. Levels 1 and 2 share a single quiz.
- Practice questions: Question banks let you rehearse before the real assessment.
Here is how skills progress in the three core courses:
| Level | Applied Math | Graphic Literacy | Workplace Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Counting, addition, subtraction | Graph words and symbols | Vocabulary, spelling, sequencing |
| Level 3 | Workplace addition, negative numbers, fractions | Forms, simple charts, gauges | Emails, memos, policies |
| Level 5 | Percentages, unit conversion, geometry | Scatter plots, combination charts | Contracts, jargon, document-based decisions |
| Level 7 | Advanced ratios, basic statistics | Complex maps, financial data, predictions | Inferring policy principles, incomplete information |
Higher levels ask you to interpret information, not just calculate. Expect multistep problems and less familiar workplace terms.
The extended courses have fewer levels. Applied Technology runs through Level 6, while Business Writing and Workplace Observation run through Level 5.
Who Offers the WorkKeys Curriculum and How to Access It
ACT states that individuals cannot enroll directly. The curriculum is available only to organizations.
Organizations that typically license it include:
- High schools and school districts
- Community colleges
- Adult education programs
- Employers and workforce agencies
Ask your counselor, instructor, employer, or local workforce agency whether they hold a license.
Institutions usually enroll learners in bulk. Your instructor or administrator creates your account, and you log in with your email.
Pricing is by quote, and ACT does not publish a public rate.
No access? ACT offers free sample questions and online practice tests for the NCRC assessments on its preparation page.
How the WorkKeys Curriculum Connects to Your NCRC Score
Once you finish the curriculum, your WorkKeys Assessment score determines your NCRC level — see our full breakdown of Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
Your lowest score among the three assessments sets your certificate level. Scores of 5, 5, and 4 earn Silver.
Bronze needs Level 3, Silver Level 4, Gold Level 5, and Platinum Level 6 on all three tests.
Use your quiz and diagnostic results to spot your weakest skill before testing.
The curriculum builds skills but does not guarantee a score. Treat it as practice, not a credential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ACT WorkKeys Curriculum the same as the WorkKeys test?
No. The curriculum is prep. The WorkKeys assessments are the actual tests that produce your scores.
Is the ACT WorkKeys Curriculum free?
ACT sells it to organizations by quote. Your cost depends on whether your school, employer, or agency covers the license.
ACT’s official practice tests and sample questions are free.
Can I access it without going through a school?
Not directly through ACT. Contact your employer, school, or local workforce agency to ask about access.
Free ACT practice materials do not require a license.
How long does the curriculum take to complete?
ACT publishes no fixed duration. Time depends on your starting level, the course, and the pacing your institution sets.
Adaptive learning paths personalize the sequence, so stronger learners may spend less time on early levels.
Helpful Links
- ACT WorkKeys Curriculum Official Page
- Free WorkKeys Practice Tests and Sample Questions
- ACT WorkKeys NCRC Overview
Last Updated: September 24, 2026