AMP 1010 - Career Ready 101 Pre-Test

1. To familiarize the student to the CareerReady101™ courseware
2. To obtain an initial CareerReady101™ score in the three (3) required areas: Reading, Math, and Locating Information.

Key Train - Applied Mathematics

Applied Mathematics Skills

The Applied Mathematics skill involves the application of mathematical reasoning to work-related problems. The assessment requires the examinee to set up and solve the types of problems and do the types of calculations that actually occur in the workplace. This assessment is designed to be taken with a calculator. As on the job, the calculator serves as a tool for problem solving. A formula sheet that includes, but is not limited to, all formulas required for the assessment is provided.

Level 3

Problems at Level 3 measure the examinee’s skill in performing basic mathematics operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) and conversions from one form to another, using whole numbers, fractions, decimals, or percentages. Solutions to problems at Level 3 are straightforward, involving a single type of mathematics operation. For example, the examinee might be required to add several numbers or to calculate the correct change in a simple financial transaction.

Level 4

Problems at Level 4 measure the examinee’s skill in performing one or two mathematical operations, such as addition, subtraction, or multiplication, on several positive or negative numbers. (Division of negative numbers is not covered until Level 5.) Problems may require adding commonly known fractions, decimals, or percentages (e.g., ?, .75, 25%), or adding three fractions that share a common denominator. At this level, the examinee is also required to calculate averages, simple ratios, proportions, and rates, using whole numbers and decimals. Problems at this level require the examinee to reorder verbal information before performing calculations. For example, the examinee may be required to calculate sales tax or a sales commission, or to read a simple chart or graph to obtain the information needed to solve a problem.

Level 5

Problems at Level 5 require the examinee to look up and calculate single-step conversions within English or non-English systems of measurement (e.g., converting from ounces to pounds or from centimeters to meters) or between systems of measurement (e.g., converting from centimeters to inches). These problems also require calculations using mixed units (e.g., hours and minutes). Problems at this level contain several steps of logic and calculation. The examinee must determine what information, calculations, and unit conversions are needed to find a solution. For example, the examinee might be asked to calculate perimeters of basic shapes, to calculate percent discounts or mark-ups, or to complete a balance sheet or order form.

Level 6

Problems at Level 6 measure the examinee’s skill in using negative numbers, fractions, ratios, percentages, and mixed numbers in calculations. For example, the examinee might be required to calculate multiple rates, to find areas of rectangles or circles and volumes of rectangular solids, or to solve problems that compare production rates and pricing schemes. The examinee might need to transpose a formula before calculating or to look up and use two formulas in conversions within a system of measurement. Level 6 problems may also involve identifying and correcting errors in calculations, and generally require considerable set-up.

Level 7

Problems at Level 7 require multiple steps of logic and calculation. For example, the examinee may be required to convert between systems of measurement that involve fractions, mixed numbers, decimals, or percentages; to calculate multiple areas and volumes of spheres, cylinders, and cones; to set up and manipulate complex ratios and proportions; or to determine the better economic value of several alternatives. Problems may involve more than one unknown, nonlinear functions, and applications of basic statistical concepts (e.g., error of measurement). The examinee may be required to locate errors in multiple-step calculations. At this level, problem content or format may be unusual, and the information presented may be incomplete or implicit, requiring the examinee to derive the information needed to solve the problem from the setup.

Key Train  - Reading for Information

Level 3

Questions at Level 3 measure the examinee’s skill in reading short, uncomplicated passages that use elementary vocabulary. The reading materials include basic company policies, procedures, and announcements. All of the information needed to answer the questions are stated clearly in the reading materials, and the questions focus on the main points of the passages. At this level, the wording of the questions and answers are similar or identical to the wording used in the reading materials. Questions at Level 3 require the examinee to (1) identify uncomplicated key concepts and simple details; (2) recognize the proper placement of a step in a sequence of events, or the proper time to perform a task; (3) identify the meaning of words that are defined within the passage; (4) identify the meaning of simple words that are not defined within the passage; and (5) recognize the application of instructions given in the passage to situations that are described in the passage.

Level 4

At Level 4, the reading passages are slightly more complex than those at Level 3. They contain more detail and describe procedures that involve a greater number of steps. Some passages describe policies and procedures with a variety of factors that must be considered in order to decide on appropriate behavior. The vocabulary, while elementary, contains words that are more difficult than those at Level 3. For example, the word “immediately” may be used at this level, whereas at Level 3 the phrase “right away” would be used. At this level, the questions and answers are paraphrased from the passage. In addition to the skills tested at the preceding level, questions at Level 4 require the examinee to (1) identify important details that are less obvious than those in Level 3; (2) recognize the application of more complex instructions, some of which involve several steps, to described situations; (3) recognize cause-effect relationships; and (4) determine the meanings of words that are not defined in the reading material.

Level 5

Passages at the Level 5 are more detailed, more complicated, and cover broader topics than those at Level 4. Words and phrases may be specialized (e.g., jargon and technical terms), and some words may have multiple meanings. Questions at this level typically call for applying information given in the passage to a situation that is not specifically described in the passage. All of the information needed to answer the questions is stated clearly in the passages, but the examinee may need to take several considerations into account in order to choose the correct responses. In addition to the skills tested at the preceding levels, questions at Level 5 require the examinee to (1) identify the paraphrased definition of a technical term or jargon that is defined in the passage; (2) recognize the application of jargon or technical terms to stated situations; (3) recognize the definition of an acronym that is defined in the passage; (4) identify the appropriate definition of a word with multiple meanings; (5) recognize the application of instructions from the passage to new situations that are similar to those described in the reading materials; and (6) recognize the application of more complex instructions to described situations, including conditionals and procedures with multiple steps.

Level 6

Passages at Level 6 are significantly more difficult than those at the previous level. The presentation of the information is more complex; passages may include excerpts from regulatory and legal documents. The procedures and concepts described are more elaborate. Advanced vocabulary, jargon, and technical terms are used. Most information needed to answer the questions correctly is not clearly stated in the passages. The questions at this level require examinees to generalize beyond the stated situation, to recognize implied details, and to recognize the probable rationale behind policies and procedures. In addition to the skills tested at the preceding levels, questions at Level 6 require the examinee to (1) recognize the application of jargon or technical terms to new situations; (2) recognize the application of complex instructions to new situations; (3) recognize, from context, the less common meanings of a word with multiple meanings; (4) generalize from the passage to situations not described in the passage; (5) identify implied details; (6) explain the rationale behind a procedure, policy or communication; and (7) generalize from the passage to a somewhat similar situation.

Level 7

The questions at level 7 are similar to those at Level 6 in that they require the examinee to generalize beyond the stated situation, to recognize implied details, and to recognize the probable rationale behind policies and procedures. However, the passages are more difficult: the density of information is higher, the concepts are more complex, and the vocabulary is more difficult. Passages include jargon and technical terms whose definitions must be derived from context. In addition to the skills tested at the preceding levels, questions at Level 7 require the examinee to (1) recognize the definitions of difficult, uncommon jargon or technical terms, based on the context of the reading materials; and (2) figure out the general principles underlying described situations and apply them to situations neither described in nor completely similar to those in the passage.

Reading for Information Skills

The Reading for Information skill involves reading and understanding work-related instructions and policies. The reading passages and questions in the assessment are based on the actual demands of the workplace. Passages take the form of memos, bulletins, notices, letters, policy manuals, and governmental regulations. Such materials differ from the expository and narrative texts used in most reading instruction, which are usually written to facilitate reading. Workplace communication is not necessarily well-written or targeted to the appropriate audience. Because the Reading for Information assessment uses workplace texts, the assessment is more reflective of actual workplace conditions.

Key Train - Locating Information

Level 3

Questions at Level 3 are based on elementary workplace graphics such as simple order forms, bar graphs, tables, flowcharts, and floor plans. Questions at Level 3 require the examinee to (1) find one or two pieces of information in these types of elementary graphics; and (2) fill in one or two pieces of information that are missing from these types of elementary graphics.

Level 4

Questions at Level 4 are based on straightforward workplace graphics such as basic order forms, line graphs, tables, instrument gauges, maps, flowcharts, and diagrams. In addition to the skills tested at the preceding level, questions at Level 4 require the examinee to (1) find several pieces of information in these types of graphics; (2) summarize and/or compare information and trends in a single graphic; and (3) summarize and/or compare information and trends presented in more than one workplace graphic, such as a charge slip and an invoice showing related information. In order to accomplish this, the examinee must determine the relationship among the graphics.

Level 5

Questions at Level 5 are based on complicated workplace graphics, such as detailed forms, tables, graphs, maps, instrument gauges, and diagrams. In addition to the skills tested at the preceding level, questions at Level 5 require the examinee to (1) summarize and/or compare information and trends in a single graphic; and (2) summarize and/or compare information and trends presented in more than one workplace graphic, such as a bar chart and a data table showing related information. In order to accomplish this, the examinee must sort through distracting information.

Level 6

Questions at Level 6 are based on complex workplace graphics which are difficult to use because of the great amount of information they contain and/or because of their challenging presentations. These graphics include very detailed graphs, charts, tables, forms, maps, and diagrams. In addition to the skills tested at the preceding level, questions at Level 6 require the examinee to (1) draw conclusions from the information presented in these types of graphics; (2) apply information from these types of graphics to specific situations; and (3) make decisions and/or predictions requiring judgment based on the information presented in these types of graphics. In order to accomplish this, the examinee must analyze the data within the graphics.

Locating Information Skills

The Locating Information skill involves using information taken from workplace graphics such as diagrams, floor plans, tables, forms, graphs, charts, and instrument gauges. Examinees are asked to locate, insert, compare, and summarize information contained in one graphic or in a group of related graphics. At the highest level, examinees are asked to make decisions and draw conclusions based on information contained.