WorkKeys Applied Math practice test
Twelve workplace math problems written to ACT's level descriptions, from a one-step total to the volume of a tank. Finish and see a rough practice level, then what each National Career Readiness Certificate level asks for.
12
questions
20 min
time limit
Free
score and answers
No sign-up. Every answer is explained at the end.
By the LifeScore Editorial Team · Updated · How we check facts · How the questions are made
- 3
- tests make up the NCRC
- 4
- certificate levels, Bronze to Platinum
- 55 min
- per test, as commonly listed
- 3 to 7
- Applied Math levels
What WorkKeys is and why employers ask for it
ACT WorkKeys is a set of workplace skills tests. Three of them, Applied Math, Graphic Literacy and Workplace Documents, lead to the ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC), which employers, states and training programs use as a hiring or entry requirement, especially in manufacturing, logistics and the skilled trades.
Each test is reported as a level, not a percentage. Applied Math runs from level 3 (single-step problems with whole numbers and money) up to level 7 (multi-step problems with unit conversions and nonlinear formulas). A level means you can reliably do the skills at that level and below.
NCRC levels: what you need for each certificate
| Certificate | Minimum level on each of the three tests |
|---|---|
| Bronze | Level 3 |
| Silver | Level 4 |
| Gold | Level 5 |
| Platinum | Level 6 |
The Applied Math test
| Questions | About 34 (sources list 34 or 35) |
| Time | 55 minutes |
| Calculator | Allowed, with conversion information provided; confirm the exact rules with your test site |
| Format | Computer or paper, multiple choice, workplace scenarios |
| Result | Level 3 to 7, or "below 3" |
What changes from level to level
Our own summary of how the problems in this practice test step up. The worked examples below are one each from levels 4, 6 and 7.
| Level | In this practice test | Typical trap |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | One operation: a total, a difference | Misreading which number to use |
| 4 | Two steps, simple fractions, a one-step conversion | Doing the steps in the wrong order |
| 5 | Percent discounts, averages, mixed units | Taking the percent of the wrong number |
| 6 | Area with rounding up, percent change, best buy | Rounding down when you must buy whole units |
| 7 | Volumes, several conversions, extra information | Using the diameter as the radius; using every number given |
Example 1 · Two steps
A technician earns $16.80 an hour and works 6.5 hours on Saturday, plus a flat $20.00 weekend callout payment. What does she earn for Saturday?
- A. $89.20
- B. $239.20
- C. $109.20
- D. $129.20
Example 2 · Percent change
Weekly scrap at a plant went from 64 kg last month to 56 kg this month. What was the percent change?
- A. Down 12.5%
- B. Down 8%
- C. Down 14.3%
- D. Up 12.5%
Example 3 · Volume and conversion
A cylindrical tank is 2 ft across and 6 ft tall. About how many gallons does it hold? Use π = 3.14 and 1 cubic foot = 7.48 gallons.
- A. 18.8 gal
- B. 140.9 gal
- C. 563.7 gal
- D. 281.8 gal
How to move up a level
- Write the units next to every number. Most level 5 to 7 misses are a unit slip (inches against feet, ounces against pounds), and units on paper catch them.
- Decide before you calculate: does the answer need rounding up (whole boxes, whole trips) or to the nearest cent?
- Percent change is always divided by the starting value.
- Level 7 problems often include a number you do not need. Cross it out once you know it is a distractor.
- With 55 minutes for about 34 questions you have over 90 seconds each: use them to check the answer is the size you expected.
A study plan for the time you have
| Time to the test | Plan |
|---|---|
| 3 days | Two practice sets a day; after each, redo every miss from scratch and note the trap. Learn the area, volume and percent-change formulas. |
| 1 week | One set a day plus one topic: fractions and conversions, percents, averages and rates, area and volume. Then the same week of practice for Graphic Literacy and Workplace Documents. |
| 2 weeks | Week 1 as above; week 2, timed sets with the clock cut by a fifth so the real pace feels comfortable. |
Facing a numerical reasoning test as well?
Our free reasoning test has 25 table-based numerical questions and 25 verbal ones on a 45-minute clock, scored by section.
Start the free Reasoning testFrequently asked questions
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LifeScore is not affiliated with ACT, Inc. ACT WorkKeys and National Career Readiness Certificate are trademarks of ACT, Inc. These are original practice questions generated by our own code; the levels are our estimate, not ACT scores. Reviewed 14 October 2026 by the LifeScore Editorial Team.