Workplace Readiness Skills for the Commonwealth Assessment
Quick links to: General_Questions_about_the_Assessment / Student_Registration_Questions / Administering the Test
General Questions about the Assessment-------------------------------------------------
1. What is the cut score or standard for mastery?
75%
2. May teachers proctor their own students?
No. This could jeopardize test security. You agree to these terms when signing the registration agreement.
Teachers may proctor their students only on the Pre-test.
3. Does this test count for state verified credit?
Yes. Contact the Virginia Department of Education for details.
4. Is there a practice test (pre-test) for this exam?
Yes. There is a 100-item, one hour timed test. It is administered in the same manner as the official test.
5. Will the student receive a certificate for passing this exam?
Yes. Test Site Administrators can print a CTECS Certificate for all passing students from their E-SESS account.
6. Are refunds available for this assessment?
No, beginning in September 2012, refunds and credits will no longer be issued for unused assessments since organizations will be billed just for assessments used.
7. Can teachers take the exam?
No. This could jeopardize test security. You agree to these terms when signing the registration agreement.
8. Do you offer paper/pencil tests?
No, all of the tests are online.
9. Are there resources available to aid in studying for this exam?
Both instructional and curriculum material is available through the Virginia CTE Resource Center at http://www.cteresource.org/about/index.html.
1. Go here: http://www.cteresource.org/verso2/search.
2. Search for and click on your course.
3. Click on any of the first 21 tasks in your task list and scroll to "Instructional Resources for Workplace Readiness Skills."If, by chance, your task list is not linked, go to a course that is and follow #3 above. These resources are the same for all our courses, but not all courses are fully developed frameworks.
Also, access the Workplace Readiness Skills Resource Repository, http://www.cteresource.org/featured/workplace_readiness.html. This new collection provides links to the research and literature that informed the WRS revision, the process milestones of bringing the new skills to implementation, and the products and statistics related to Workplace Readiness Skills.
10. What testing accommodations are allowed for students with disabilities?
CTECS provides the following accommodations for students with disabilities who wish to take the WRS assessment:
- An untimed version of the test (a site administrator can request the extra time on the student registration form)
- A text-to-speech feature. To use text-to-speech, the student should begin the test, click the Review button (bottom-right of screen), then click on a speaker icon to hear the audio. Headphones should be provided.
- *An option to take the test as it is read by an aide or test proctor (extended timing may be necessary, etc.) Note: Items on the assessment are randomized so more than one reader may be required if several students require reading assistance.
- *An option for test item enlargement on the computer monitor
*This accommodation is arranged at the test site by the test site administrator or test proctor.
Student Registration Questions----------------------------------------------------------------- back to top
11. How much time is required between registering students and the actual testing dates?
Allow up to 6 business days between the day that you purchase the assessments and register the students, and the day that testing begins at your site. Typically, students are registered 3-4 days after an error-free student registration form is uploaded to CTECS.
12. What is the CTECS assessment policy? May a student take the assessment more than one time?
Important! A student may NOT take any form of this assessment (pretest, post-test, and post-test retake) MORE THAN ONCE during a school year.
There are NO exceptions to this policy.
Pretest Assessment Policy:
CTECS allows one pretest per student per school year; there are no retakes on pretests. Pretests are only a practice exam and carry no verified credit or certificate of passing. Pretests must be taken at least 14 days before taking the WRS Assessment which carry student-selected verified credit and a certificate of completion if a student passes exam.Post-test Assessment Policy:
The regular VA WRS assessment may be taken by a student once per school year. If the student fails the assessment, the student may be registered to take one Retake. (See Retake Policy below).
Post-test Retake Assessment Policy:
CTECS allows one retake per student; retakes must be taken at least 14 days after taking the WRS Post-test Assessment.
13. What are Student Testing Identifier (STI) numbers and where can they be found?
These numbers come from your local IT and administrative areas. It is a state number, but very much a local administrative process (all state reporting uses these numbers). For example, these numbers are used for the Standards of Learning testing.
14. What if I need to make changes to the student information after the students are enrolled in E-SESS?
Please do your best to verify the accuracy of student registration information prior to uploading the registration form to CTECS. If you notice spelling errors, etc., please send an e-mail to CTECS with the specific changes noted. Corrections will be made. Please be aware that testing may be delayed if last-minute changes are requested.
15. How long do I have to test students once they are enrolled in E-SESS?
Please test the students within 60 days of enrollment.
16. If I register students for the pretest, are they automatically enrolled in the official test?
No. Students must be registered separately for each "form" of the test.
17. How can I make sure that I receive e-mail messages regarding E-SESS login information and student enrollment?
When your students are enrolled or your administrator account is initially set up in E-SESS, an automatic email message is sent. Make sure that you can receive email from tmaynard@pitsco.com and info@techfluency.org. Add these to the "safe sender/never block list" in your email program or ask the IT staff to make sure that messages from these senders are not blocked.
Administering the Test ------------------------------------------------------------------------- back to top
18. Do students need to click the Save Answer button when taking the actual exam?
Yes. Instruct your students to
1. select the answer.
2. click the Save Answer button to go to the next question.
19. May students begin the test, stop, then finish the test later?
No, the assessment must be completed in one, 60-minute sitting unless a school emergency interrupts the testing period.
20. May students use calculators when taking the exam?
Yes, a calculator is provided on the assessment screen.
21. How does text-to-speech (audio) feature work?
To use text-to-speech, the student should begin the test, click the Review button (bottom-right of screen), then click on a speaker icon to hear the audio. Headphones should be provided.
Using the audio feature requires additional bandwidth so you may notice slower response times during testing. CTECS recommends using wired computer Internet connections. Do not use audio unless it is required for the student to test; this will reduce the bandwidth required. The media player used may need to be updated.
22. Must test proctors sign an agreement form?
No, just Test Site Administrators sign agreement forms. A site administrator can identify and use several proctors. Teachers cannot proctor their own students.