WorkKeys Workplace Documents exam-day guide
WorkKeys Workplace Documents · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original document (driver's license, passport, or state ID). Confirm with the provider which forms of ID your specific test center accepts before test day; photocopies and expired documents are commonly rejected.
Appointment or registration confirmation
Have the confirmation number, email, or printed notice handy. It speeds check-in and resolves any scheduling discrepancy.
Test center address, parking, and arrival instructions
Look up the exact building and room the night before. Confirm with the provider whether you should arrive 15 or 30 minutes early, since that varies by site.
A plan for prohibited personal items
Phones, smartwatches, bags, and notes usually cannot be at the workstation. Decide in advance where they will go (vehicle, locker, or a person accompanying you).
Eyeglasses or hearing aids you normally use
Bring whatever you rely on for reading comfort. Assistive devices may need to be declared at check-in; confirm with the provider if you are unsure.
A watch-free time strategy
Many computer-based administrations show a clock on screen. If you prefer a wristwatch, confirm with the provider first, since many centers prohibit any watch.
Pre-approved testing accommodations
If you need extra time, a separate room, or a reader, arrangements must usually be requested and approved well before the test date. Confirm with the provider - accommodations are rarely granted on the day of the test.
Comfortable clothing in layers
Testing rooms are often cool and you may be seated for about an hour. Dress in layers you can adjust.
Light meal and water before arrival
Eat something normal for you. Heavy meals and large amounts of caffeine can hurt focus more than help.
A note on what NOT to bring
Do not plan on bringing your own scratch paper, pens, or a calculator. For Workplace Documents, scratch materials, if permitted at all, are typically supplied by the center. Confirm with the provider.
Transportation and backup plan
Build in a buffer for traffic or transit delays. Arriving late can mean forfeiting your seat and fee.
Knowledge of how to reschedule
Find the provider's rescheduling or cancellation policy in advance in case of illness or emergency. Terms vary, so confirm with the provider.
Plan the day
Confirm your appointment date, time, and location, and verify your ID is current and undamaged. Re-read the provider's candidate rules so nothing at check-in surprises you.
Do targeted practice with workplace document types: memos, emails, policy and procedure pages, instructions, forms, tables, and notices. Practice locating the specific information a question asks for rather than reading every word.
Review common question types: main idea or purpose, specific detail retrieval, applying a rule to a new situation, sequencing steps, and interpreting forms or tables.
Shift your sleep schedule so you are naturally alert at your appointment time. Stop heavy cramming the night before.
Lay out your ID, confirmation, and clothing. Put the address and arrival time somewhere visible. Charge nothing you'll need to bring - leave electronics at home.
Do one short, low-pressure review of question strategies, then stop. Eat a normal dinner and go to bed at your usual time.
Eat a normal breakfast, hydrate moderately, and leave with enough time to arrive early. Do a final pocket check: ID and confirmation only.
At check-in, follow the proctor's instructions exactly, store prohibited items as directed, and ask the proctor to clarify anything about the rules or the interface before you begin.
Read the question stem first when a document is long, then scan the document for the exact line, column, or step that answers it. Documents on this test reward locating information, not memorizing it.
Watch the clock and pace yourself. If a question stalls you, choose your best answer, mark it for review if the interface allows, and move on. Answer every question - there is no reason to leave blanks.
For application questions, reread the scenario, find the governing rule in the document, and check which option matches it exactly. Beware of options that are true in general but not supported by the document.
In the last few minutes, return to flagged items and confirm you have a response for each. Then submit and follow the proctor's sign-out procedure.
Rules to check
Bring original, current, government-issued photo identification. The exact list of accepted documents varies by site - confirm with the provider before test day.
Electronic devices are almost always prohibited at the workstation. Turn off and store your phone as instructed; do not check it during the test, including during any break.
Breaks are not guaranteed and policies differ between computer-based and paper-based administrations. Ask the proctor at check-in what applies to you, or confirm with the provider beforehand.
Answers are scored as correct or incorrect; there is typically no penalty for guessing, so answer every question rather than leaving it blank.
Scores are usually reported to the sponsoring employer or organization as well as to you. Ask the provider how and when your results will be delivered.
Testing accommodations must be requested in advance and approved. Do not assume they can be arranged on test day - confirm with the provider.
Follow all proctor directions and center rules. Talking, sharing materials, or attempting to record test content can result in your scores being voided.
Leave scratch paper, notes, and study materials at home unless the provider explicitly says they are supplied at the center.