We will be recording issues and questions pertaining to Online Testing on this page.

Return to the Online Testing Overview page.

 

Questions
1)  The online testing window overlaps with the SS CBA window. Students may be competing for computer time. How should this be dealt with?
2)  How can I see a tutorial or demo of the online testing software?
3)  How do I prepare students for computerized testing?
4)  How do I enroll my students for computerized testing?
5)  We are concerned that many of our special needs students do not have the skills necessary to participate in online testing. Will we be able to order paper test booklets for these students? Or, are there any other considerations in place we should know about?
6)  Does the online test content meet Washington state academic standards?
7)  Are the questions for the online test the same as the paper and pencil version?
8)  What do I need to do to set up my school labs to participate in computerized testing?
9)  Why is the testing software designed as a standalone program and not a Web-based application?
10)  We have only a few computer labs available. Is a mobile laptop lab a reasonable environment for testing?
11)  Will there be any restrictions on the application running on the workstations? For example, calculators, spell checkers etc.?
12)  Why is it taking so long for my student to log into the online test?
13)  Is it necessary to use the demos and tutorials?
14)  Do I need a test session ticket for the tutorials?
15)  What happens when Internet interruptions or any other system failure occurs and students are forced out of the test?
16)  Why am I experiencing visual display problems with the test?
17)  Do we need to set up a specific seating pattern in a lab so that students sitting next to each other don’t see the same questions at the same time?
18)  Does a student have to start and finish the test on the same computer? If I start a group of students in our computer lab, some of whom need more time to finish the test, can I move these students to a set of different computers so that we can stay on schedule and make room for students coming in to begin the test?
19)  Do all of our students have to test at the same time or on the same day?
20)  What are the requirements for the testing environment? Should we conduct the test in a lab setting with the whole class present?
21)  Can different buildings test on different days? Does all of one grade at a building have to test in the same subject on the same day? At the same time? Or can we make it fit, the way we have with NWEA’s MAP testing?
22)  What happens to student testing if the unforeseen occurs — power outage or computer problems?
23)  How long can the test application run? If a student takes all day to finish the online test, will the test stay open?
24)  What should I do if I find a student computer that needs the testing software installed?
 
Answers
1)  Q The online testing window overlaps with the SS CBA window. Students may be competing for computer time. How should this be dealt with?
A
We'll need to think about this more for next year. There will likely be all kinds of demands on computing resources beyond CBAs and other special events. Teachers at all levels, regardless of whether or not they're proctoring exams, will need to be aware of the priority need to use computing resources during the testing window.
2)  Q How can I see a tutorial or demo of the online testing software?
A

Demos can be found at the WA Online Testing website.  The testing software also contains tutorials.  If the software is not installed on your computer or on student computers needed for the testing, please visit KBOX or contact Kris Terada.

Online testing software was installed on most student stations during mid-winter break 2012. Barcode numbers of the stations are noted at http://www.nsd.org/msp2012.
3)  Q How do I prepare students for computerized testing?
A
Here’s an easy way that teachers and students can prepare for online testing:

1. Observe and then interact with the demo for their grade and subject area.
2. Complete the tutorial for their grade and subject as a way of practicing with the testing software.

(Note: Keep in mind that the content on the demos and tutorials is not intended to help students prepare for the content on the operational tests. No answers are provided and it isn’t critical for students to try and respond with “correct” answers.)
4)  Q How do I enroll my students for computerized testing?
A

OSPI staff will provide a Student Enrollment File from the most current (typically the March file) CEDARS data possible to eDirect to upload the data into Management Tools. Districts will be responsible for confirming student data is accurate and complete in Management Tools. Districts are also responsible for adding student demographic information for new students. Districts can make these additions and updates in the Data Tools section of Management Tools that is found on the eDirect website.

Once the student information is in the Student Editor, students are eligible to participate in the computerized tests. Students login to take a test through the Test Session Ticket system.

Here's how it works:

  • School administrators will login to Management Tools and print session tickets from the Testing Main Page link.
  • Each student is assigned a unique Test Session Ticket with a username, password and session ID for each test. The ticket is valid for one login, but can be used to login again if "bounced" out of the test session due to a loss of internet connection if that occurs within 120 minutes of the original login time.
  • Once logged in, the student will not be able to login again, unless an administrator reactivates the ticket to allow another login.
5)  Q We are concerned that many of our special needs students do not have the skills necessary to participate in online testing. Will we be able to order paper test booklets for these students? Or, are there any other considerations in place we should know about?
A
Districts participating in online testing will automatically receive a limited number of paper test booklets (10% of enrollment). Additional material can be ordered. Accommodated test material (i.e., Braille, Large Print, Read-Aloud CDs) will continue to be packaged in kits and shipped to districts.
6)  Q Does the online test content meet Washington state academic standards?
A
Yes, all the online tests have been reviewed, tested and validated using the state-approved test development specifications and content standards.
7)  Q Are the questions for the online test the same as the paper and pencil version?
A
Yes.
8)  Q What do I need to do to set up my school labs to participate in computerized testing?
A
Ensure that all computers you plan to use for Online Testing have the software installed. You'll know that its installed if there is an alias on the desktop.
9)  Q Why is the testing software designed as a standalone program and not a Web-based application?
A
A standalone program makes it possible to block access to other applications, such as browser windows and dictionaries, while the testing is in progress.
10)  Q We have only a few computer labs available. Is a mobile laptop lab a reasonable environment for testing?
A
Yes — be sure that you’ve communicated your plan to use mobile labs to Shelby Reynolds so appropriate adjustments to the wireless network can be made to accommodate the increase in wireless network use during the testing window.
11)  Q Will there be any restrictions on the application running on the workstations? For example, calculators, spell checkers etc.?
A
The assessment software will lock out other applications, and make it impossible to open another browser and search the Web while the test is underway.
12)  Q Why is it taking so long for my student to log into the online test?
A
If local bandwidth is limited, student logins can take time. When a student logs in, the system
downloads the entire test to the local computer. Remember, some tests are large due to the
illustrations and charts and they take longer to download. Decrease the amount of time to login by staggering student logins by a few seconds. For example, have 10 students login, wait 20 seconds then direct another 10 students to login. Once students begin testing, you shouldn’t see any more delays. This should be tested during administration of the Tutorials.
13)  Q Is it necessary to use the demos and tutorials?
A
Yes. All students and teachers must review the demos and tutorials to become familiar and comfortable with the online test medium, as well as the functionality and features of the system.
14)  Q Do I need a test session ticket for the tutorials?
A
No. You need only the testing software and Internet connectivity. The tutorials use a generic login you can use as often you need.
15)  Q What happens when Internet interruptions or any other system failure occurs and students are forced out of the test?
A
If the student was “kicked out” of the test, the original Test Session Ticket is still valid for up to 120 minutes from the initial login time, and the student could re-enter the test and continue testing from where they were when “kicked out” of the test. If this disruption occurred after the 120 minute limit, the Test Session Ticket will need to be re-activated. The District/School Assessment Coordinator will need to reactivate their Test Session Ticket from Monitor Status link in Management Tools. If the student already answered all the questions, the test cannot be reactivated.
16)  Q Why am I experiencing visual display problems with the test?
A
Here are some common visual display issues:
• Text seems to be cut off or missing.
• Text runs off the screen — no word wrap.
• Screen is blurry.
• Joined words, for example — joinedwords.
• Site tools are not working.
• Software prompts — click on a link or icon — do not respond.

If you see any of these problems:
1. Have your student log off.
2. Reboot the machine.
3. Reactivate the student login.
4. Have your student log back into the test.

If these actions are not successful:
1. Have your student log off.
2. Increase the color resolution on your monitor.
3. Reactivate the student login.
4. Have your student log back into the test.

These actions usually correct visual display problems. If these issues are seen during the Tutorials, schools should take action to upgrade the systems prior to operational testing and check the Tutorials again to make sure the display issues are resolved.
17)  Q Do we need to set up a specific seating pattern in a lab so that students sitting next to each other don’t see the same questions at the same time?
A
Session tickets display student IDs and passwords that identify the randomized form each student receives. Proctors must make sure that students working on the same form do not sit next to each other. Once the test begins, the student’s name displays on the screen, with a unique color bar keyed to the form.
18)  Q Does a student have to start and finish the test on the same computer? If I start a group of students in our computer lab, some of whom need more time to finish the test, can I move these students to a set of different computers so that we can stay on schedule and make room for students coming in to begin the test?
A
The technology allows students to move — mid-test — to another computer.
19)  Q Do all of our students have to test at the same time or on the same day?
A
No. There will be a window or period of time allotted for online testing. Schedules are determined by the school and district assessment staff.
20)  Q What are the requirements for the testing environment? Should we conduct the test in a lab setting with the whole class present?
A
No — not from a technical point of view. Clearly, there are staffing and classroom management issues when schools test only a few students at a time. However, there are no technological reasons that require a lab or that schools test whole classes at one time.
21)  Q Can different buildings test on different days? Does all of one grade at a building have to test in the same subject on the same day? At the same time? Or can we make it fit, the way we have with NWEA’s MAP testing?
A
The scheduling options are nearly limitless — different buildings on different days, different students within the same building on different days — all are possible scenarios. The month-long administration window accommodates districts with a limited number of computers. We ensure security with the block item format and spiral assignment.
22)  Q What happens to student testing if the unforeseen occurs — power outage or computer problems?
A
During a short outage, the application will cache (save) the student’s work. Nothing will be lost and the student resumes where he or she left off. In the event of a longer outage, the teacher must reactivate the test. Again, no student responses will be lost.
23)  Q How long can the test application run? If a student takes all day to finish the online test, will the test stay open?
A
State tests are carefully timed and should not extend beyond the duration of a single school day. However, in an online testing environment, the application will run as long as the student is making keystrokes. In the event of an outage or unforeseen circumstance that delays the online test, issues related to reactivation and remaining time will be resolved by the District Assessment Coordinator on a case-by-case basis. Note: CAL provides a pause feature that allows the student to take a 20 minute break without the need to reactivate the test.
24)  Q What should I do if I find a student computer that needs the testing software installed?
A
Install the testing software from KBOX.

1. Navigate to http://kbox1000
2. Click on “Macintosh WA Online Testing 2012".
3. Follow the instructions to install the software.

Prior to the testing window: If you get an error such as “I was not able to find an exact machine with your IP address. Please try again later.”, this means that the computer is not in kbox. Start a work order at http://helpdesk.nsd.org and choose 03 Software n. Online MSP Testing Software install or issue as the request type.