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NYSED-Approved Pathway Assessments in Career Development and Occupational Studies

Students may earn the Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) Commencement Credential by completing all requirements set forth in Section 100.6(b)(1-3) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education or by passing a NYSED-approved nationally-recognized work readiness assessment.  The following assessments and cut score requirements have been approved for use as NYSED-Approved Pathway Assessments in CDOS. 

ACT Work Keys, ACT NCRC

ACT Work Keys is a core set of work readiness assessments: Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents. Research-based and criterion-referenced, Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents assess the common set of work readiness skills essential for success across industries and occupations. Each assessment covers multiple levels of mastery within the skill domain, with scores expressed as Levels 3-7. The assessments are based on extensive primary and secondary research into the skill requirements of today’s jobs. Assessment level scores can be referenced to the skill requirements of specific occupations to provide more precise information to students, job seekers, educators, and employers.

Required Cut Score: Passing score as specified by the test publisher 
 
Sponsored by ACT, Inc.
CASAS eWORKs

CASAS eWORKs is comprised of the CASAS Reading and Math assessments, to measure academic skills, and the Workforce Readiness Skills (WRS) assessment to measure soft skills.  The soft skills assessments are comprised of objective, nationally-recognized, industry-validated components, which accurately measure an individual’s workplace skills, and identify specific areas for improvement. The program also includes instructional resources to target specific needs.  In addition, eWORKs includes an employer needs survey, collates results according to O*NET career categories and connects workers with the skills that are important to employers and necessary to function on the job and advance in one’s career. 

Required Cut Score: Passing score as specified by the test publisher

Sponsored by Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS) and Alignmark, Inc.  

National Work Readiness Credential (NWRC) / NWRC Assessments

The NWRC assessments are comprised of four tests: Workplace Math, Workplace Reading, Situational Judgement and Active Listening. Each assessment is administered separately.  The NWRC assessments are based on a comprehensive job task analysis (work readiness profile) – a compilation of the most common tasks required among entry level jobs across industries and the knowledge and skills required to perform these tasks with sufficient competence for success. Employers across industry sectors including, but not limited to, retail, manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, transportation and energy, have actively and directly participated in each stage of development and validation of the NWRC assessments.

Required Cut Score: Passing score as specified by the test publisher

Sponsored by National Work Readiness Council/ WIN Learning  

NOCTI 21st Century Skills for Workplace Success

The 21st Century Skills for Workplace Success industry-based credential is included in NOCTI’s Employability assessment battery. NOCTI’s employability credentials measure the skills that represent critical knowledge needed for success in the workplace. The Employability assessments offer a written component and can be used at the secondary and post-secondary levels. Employability assessments can be delivered in an online or paper/pencil format. 

Required Cut Score: Passing score as specified by the test publisher

Full blueprint for this assessment  

Sponsored by National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) 

NOCTI Employability Skills

The Employability Skills industry-based credential is included in NOCTI’s Employability assessment battery. NOCTI’s employability credentials measure the skills that represent critical knowledge needed for success in the workplace and represent standards identified by the subject matter expert team. This credential includes a knowledge-based (multiple-choice) component that can be administered to both secondary and postsecondary levels participants. 

Required Cut Score: Passing score as specified by the test publisher

Full blueprint for this assessment

Sponsored by National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI)

NOCTI JROTC Leadership and Employability Skills

The JROTC Leadership and Employability Skills credential focuses on the core JROTC tenants instilled across all military branches. These leadership and employability skills represent critical knowledge needed for success in the military and the workplace.  This credential includes a knowledge-based (multiple-choice) component that can be administered to both secondary and postsecondary levels participants. 

A full blueprint for the assessment can be found on NOCTI’s website. 

SkillsUSA Career Essentials: Career-Ready Assessment

The Career-Ready assessment measures the universal foundation knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for entry-level employment. It has been designed in consultation with workforce experts such as but not limited to employers, national business organizations, federal and state labor agencies. It offers six reporting types that include a report that compares pre and post student test scores and identifies the percentage of change between the two scores. The Career Essentials Assesments are specifically designed to fulfill state assessment requirements as outlined in Sec.113 (b)(2)(A)(ii) and sec. 113(b)(2)(B0(ii) of the Carl D. Perkins V Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. 

Required Cut Score: Passing score as specified by the test publisher

Sponsored by SkillsUSA

YouScience / Precision Exams 21st Century Success Skills

The 21st Century Success Skills assessment measures the universal foundation knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for entry-level employment. It has been designed in consultation with workforce experts such as but not limited to employers, national business organizations, federal and state labor agencies.  The Career Essentials Assesments are specifically designed to fulfill state assessment requirements as outlined in Sec.113 (b)(2)(A)(ii) and sec. 113(b)(2)(B0(ii) of the Carl D. Perkins V Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. 

Required Cut Score: Passing score as specified by the test publisher

Sponsored by YouScience

If you notice that any assessment cut scores or versions have been updated since the posting of this document, please email emsccte@nysed.gov.

Update log: 

  • 03/01/19 – Added Precision Exams 21st Century Success Skills
  • 08/13/20 – Added NOCTI 21st Century Skills for Workplace Success
  • 08/31/20 – Added NOCTI Employability Skills 
  • 03/27/24 – Modified vendor for 21st Century Success Skills assessment to include YouScience
  • 04/22/24 – Updated assessment name (from Workforce Skills Certification System (WSCS) to eWORKSs
  • 09/19/24 – Added NOCTI JROTC Leadership and Employability Skills