Test Takers Guide
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What is TOWES?
TOWES is an effective assessment that accurately measures three
Essential Skills needed for safe and productive employment: reading
text, document use, and numeracy.
TOWES is significantly different from other skills assessments
as test takers must assume the role of a worker and use information
embedded in authentic documents to solve real workplace problems.
Some of the documents that you might find in a TOWES test include
catalogues, order forms, labels, and schematics.
TOWES evaluates:
- Reading Text: The ability to find and use
information contained in text, paragraphs, letters, reports,
etc.
- Document Use: The ability to find and use
information contained in charts, schematics, icons, lists, tables,
signs, etc.
- Numeracy: The ability to find and use
quantitative information like measuring, calculating, scheduling,
budgeting, estimating, analyzing data, etc.
Everyone has essential skills! Essential skills are not the
technical skills required by a particular occupation, but the
skills used in all occupations. They are generic, transferable,
enabling skills that help people perform the tasks necessary to
succeed in their job. What differs between occupations is the level
of skill required and the frequency with which the skill is used.
For example, some workers read short emails every day while other
read long technical reports monthly. Both of these activities are
reading tasks, but one is much more difficult than the other.
When you write TOWES, you will assume the role of a worker who
has been asked to perform a workplace task. Each task, or question,
will require you to use at least one of the three essential skills.
Results from your TOWES test will determine your skill level in
reading text, document use and numeracy.
The Government of Canada has conducted research with thousands
of workers across the country to create Essential Skill Profiles.
The Essential Skill Profiles outline the skills needed for work in
over 200 occupations. You can compare your TOWES score with the
Essential Skill Profiles to:
- Determine if you have the Essential Skills needed for various
occupations.
- Evaluate areas that you need to improve if you would like to
work in a particular job.
- Highlight your Essential Skill competencies with a potential
employer.
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About the Test
TOWES can typically be completed within 2 to 2 ½ hours. TOWES
tests contain about 18 problem sets - a problem set is made up of
an authentic workplace document and a series of questions or
"tasks" directly related to the document. Although you may not be
familiar with the subject matter of the document, all the
information needed to answer the questions is contained within the
material provided. You should be able to answer the question or
"perform" the task because your Essential Skills are transferable
from one environment to another!
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Which Test are you Writing?
All TOWES tests measure the same three Essential Skills -
reading text, document use and numeracy. The difference between the
tests is based upon the levels of Essential Skills to be assessed,
and in some cases, the types or variations of documents being used.
Some of our tests are geared towards specific occupational
requirements.
G Series
Sector Series
Custom Tests
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How to write a TOWES Test
1. Select a Testing Session
Please contact your local TOWES test administrator to schedule a
testing session. To find a contact in your area - please visit the
Distributors section of this
site.
If you are in the Calgary area and would like to write the TOWES
Test please contact the TOWES Department at (403) 410-3200 or towes@bowvalleycollege.ca.
2. Prepare for Writing TOWES
The best way to prepare for your TOWES test is to review the TOWES
Preparation Guide. The Preparation Guide contains tips for
writing TOWES and includes a practice problem set, along with the
steps for solving the questions, so that you become familiar with
the types of questions that appear on TOWES. If you are unable to
access an electronic version, please contact your TOWES Test
Administrator.
There are many additional online resources
available to help you prepare for the TOWES Test, so please take
advantage of them! Your TOWES test score can significantly increase
if you spend time reviewing the Essential Skills and practice
problem sets.
3. Gather Equipment
TOWES is a paper and pencil test. You will need a pen/pencil,
highlighter and a basic calculator to successfully complete your
test. You should also remember to bring your glasses if you have
difficulty reading small text.
The following items will not be permitted in your testing
session: programmable calculators, PDA's, cellular phones and
dictionaries (including electronic or translation dictionaries).
Please note: test markers will not deduct marks for incorrect
spelling.
4. Writing the Test
Carefully read the test instructions and test questions. The
questions on the test are not designed to trick you; however, if
you rush through the problem sets you may miss important
information needed to answer the questions. Attempt all questions
on the test - you will not lose marks for incorrect answers. Make
sure that your answer is clear to the test marker, if the test
marker is uncertain about what you intended for your answer they
will mark your response as incorrect.
Please keep your own record of your TOWES test booklet number.
This will be required if you need additional copies of your results
at a later time.
5. Retesting
In some circumstances you may need to rewrite TOWES. There is a
mandatory one-month waiting period between testing sessions. Please
contact your TOWES Test Administrator for more information on
retesting.
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Interpreting your TOWES Results?
Test results are distributed on an ongoing basis. At your
testing session, your test administrator will provide you with all
the information you will need to pick up your results. Results are
kept confidential.
You will receive an Individual Results Report that will display
your current Essential Skills levels for reading text, document use
and numeracy. The report will include examples of how your
Essential Skill levels relate to typical workplace tasks and will
suggest skills to build on.
Some Individual Results Reports will also outline the range of
skill levels needed for different occupations profiled by the
Government of Canada. This information can help you to evaluate how
your Essential Skill levels compare to the requirements of over 200
occupations profiled by the Government of Canada. You are much more
likely to succeed at work if you have the skills needed for your
chosen occupation!
Visit the HRSDC (Human
Resource Skills Development of Canada) Essential Skills
Database to view the required skill levels for your desired
profiled occupation.
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Measuring Essential Skills
The complexity of workplace tasks is described on a 5-point
scale; Level 1 tasks are considered least difficult and Level 5
tasks are considered most difficult. All occupations require
workers to perform a range of tasks at a range of levels, but some
occupations require workers to perform more difficult tasks on a
more frequent basis.