What software do I need to administer a test?

Windows: You need Windows XP with Service Pack 3 or higher and Internet Explorer 7.0 or later. Service Pack 3 and the latest version of Internet Explorer for Windows can be downloaded from Microsoft Downloads, or a later version of the operating system may be used. See the appendix for a full list of technical requirements and recommendations.
Mac: You need Mac OS X 10.5 or higher with Safari 5.0 or higher. The latest version of Safari for Mac OS X can be downloaded from Apple Downloads. See the appendix for a full list of technical requirements and recommendations.

What software do I need to take a test?

The AUA Browser is required for test-taking and is available for Windows and Macintosh computers. The AUA Browser is secure and prevents test takers from accessing web sites and other programs while taking the test. This software does not transfer any information from the local computer, and is only used when a student is taking a test. The AUA Browser will be available for download two weeks out from the exam date.

What hardware do I need to take a test?

In addition to having a computer that supports one of the required browsers, you will need to have a color monitor with a minimum resolution of 1024x768 and at least 16-bit color.

What type of Internet connection should I have?

The administration of this test requires a broadband connection. Please make sure you discuss your testing needs with your technical support staff to ensure your connectivity supports the number of examinees you plan to test at a time. Both wired and wireless (802.11g and 802.11n) networks are supported. Please ensure that all wireless access points and network switches can support the number of computers that will be connected at the time of testing. A System Check should be run on each computer to be used for testing. The System Check reports on problems to be addressed prior to testing, and lets you know how many simultaneous testers your site can support. Click the System Check link from the Administrator Login site to run the System Check.

Can I use a wireless network to deliver tests?

Testing requires a stable connection and wireless networks can introduce reliability and performance issues. The software allows test takers to easily reconnect when an error occurs, but an unreliable connection can impact testing. Wireless networks are not recommended unless evaluated using the System Check prior to testing.

How can I check my computer to verify it can deliver this test?

Every computer should be checked to verify it is properly configured for testing. Please click the System Check link on this site. Please include your name and location information on the System Check form. Once the System Check is complete, please review the results and note the estimated number of concurrent users as displayed in the Internet Connection section

The System Check determines Internet bandwidth to and from our servers at the time the check is run. You may see fluctuations in connection speeds and concurrent users due to the amount of Internet activity at your site. The numbers displayed may not accurately reflect bandwidth as reported by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Please contact Technical Support for additional assistance. For best results, run the System Check at the time of day you plan on testing. It is also import to run the System Check in the facility or classroom where testing will take place.

How does an examinee start a test?

The proctor will launch the AUA Browser on each computer used for testing. The link to the AUA Browser is typically on the desktop and can be downloaded from this website. Then the proctor logs in with their email address and password. This can be done before examines arrive to test. Next, the examinee enters their Registration ID and Last Name and is presented with a link to start the test.

What is the AUA Browser?

The AUA Browser is available for both Windows and Macs. When launched, the AUA Browser opens to a full screen and will not allow the examinee to leave the testing system without completely closing the browser.

How do I close the AUA Browser?

If a communication problem occurs, and the on-screen Close button isn't working, you can close the AUA Browser by clicking on the screen once, and holding the Ctrl+Alt+Shift+F10 keys down simultaneously. This is available on both Windows and Mac computers.

Mac combo is Ctrl + Opt + Shift + F10 on desktops, Ctrl + Opt + Shift + FN + F10 on laptops.

I am concerned about my privacy. Do you use cookies? How do I configure my browser to allow cookies?

The privacy of examinees, their personal information, and the test materials are extremely important. Session cookies are used to track the current test each examinee is taking. A session cookie is a special type of cookie that is only stored in memory, and is automatically deleted when the user closes the browser. Session cookies are used to track a user's current state during their visit, and require that session cookies be enabled to use the site. These cookies are automatically removed when the browser is closed. We do not use or support cookies that in any way are used to track an individual's Internet usage outside of our own web site.

Apple's Safari does not distinguish between session and persistent cookies. Proctor and administrator stations need to be configured to support session cookies. Internet Explorer allows you to allow session cookies while blocking all other cookies. No configuration is required for test delivery on Microsoft Windows.

To enable cookies, you will need to access your internet browsing privacy options. For example, in Internet Explorer, click on the Tools menu, choose Internet Options and then select the Privacy tab. Open the list of web sites allowed to use cookies. Add *.starttest.com to the list of allowed sites.

Do I have to allow pop-ups? How can I configure my pop-up blocker to allow access to the testing site?

Pop-up blockers will not affect test delivery or administration but the System Check creates a pop-up window that runs a sample test. This window may be blocked by a pop-up blocker and cause an error in the system check. By configuring pop-up blockers to only allow pop-ups from the testing site, the security of the pop-up blocker software is not compromised. Simply add *.starttest.com to your pop-up blocker's list of allowed sites before students attempt to access the test sites.

For example, in Internet Explorer running on Windows XP, click on the Tools menu, choose Pop-up Blocker and then select Pop-up Blocker Settings. On the screen which opens, enter the site address *.starttest.com into the Address of Web site to allow box and click the Add button. Click Close and the browser will now allow pop-ups from this site.

If you are using the Google toolbar to block pop-ups, simply open the testing site and click the toolbar button which displays the number of sites blocked. This will enable pop-ups on that site only (be sure to enable them on both the practice test and the operational test sites).

I am having problems with the "Bookmarks" or "Favorites" I created for this site. How can I add bookmarks that don't break?

For best results, click on Bookmark this Page link. To ensure working bookmarks and favorites for this web site, please follow the instructions below:

Windows users with Internet Explorer may right-click on the Administrator Login page and choose Add to Favorites... Then, choose the location in which to create the favorite and click Add.

Mac OS X users with Safari may hold down the Control key and click on the Administrator Login page (the Mac equivalent to a right-click). Choose Add Link to Bookmarks... from the contextual menu. Then, choose the location in which to keep the bookmark and click Add. Mac OS X users may also drag the link to the desktop.

Can I test examinees on desktops running under VMWare or other virtual machines?

No. The software will explicitly detect and block the starting of tests on virtual machines. This is done to ensure that examinees do not have the ability to switch from the virtual desktop window back into the host operating system, allowing the student to use email, browsers, or instant messaging. If your virtual machine environment is running on a hypervisor and can ensure that the examinee is not able to switch back to the host environment, contact support for information about a version of the secure browser that works on virtual machines.

Technical Support

If you are having trouble accessing the operational test, please run the System Check to ensure your computer is configured properly. Below is a list of the possible problems and the steps to resolve them.

I see a "Page not found message" when trying to access the test.

Page not found errors can result from a number of different problems. Use the following checklist to try to resolve this problem.

1. Try clicking the Refresh button on your Browser to reload the page.
2. Check to see if you can access other sites over the Internet to make sure that your Internet connection is functioning properly.
3. Run the System Check to ensure your computer meets system requirements and is configured properly:
   • Check to make sure that your operating system and web browser meet the minimum system requirements listed in this document.
   • Check to make sure that your pop-up blocker programs are configured to allow pop-ups from the starttest.com site as described in this document.
   • Check to make sure that cookies are enabled on your system as described in this document.
4. Check to make sure that your browser caching settings automatically check for a new version of a page every time you visit a page as described in this document.
5. Check to make sure that your anti-virus, firewall, proxy and content filter systems are configured to allow inbound and outbound traffic from the starttest.com sites (you may need assistance from your school or district technical support staff to check these settings).

If you have checked all of these possible issues and you still receive the Page not found error, please have your school or district technical support staff contact Technical Support for assistance.

All of the navigation buttons are not appearing or the test is locking up.

If you have anti-virus or firewall software installed on your machine, it may be interfering with the test delivery. This software may be a stand-alone application such as Norton or may be built into your system. Most of these packages allow you to configure them to allow access to sites you approve as safe. Please refer to the help component of your anti-virus or firewall software for further assistance.

Some schools who are able to pass the System Check have reported issues with test performance for multiple students. We have been able to identify the source of the issue as the site-specific network communication settings. If you are experiencing this issue, please confirm that your firewall, proxy, and/or content filters allow unrestricted communication to and from the following:

• Domains: programworkshop.com, starttest.com, starttest2.com
• Ports: http(80), https(443)
• IP Addresses: please contact Technical Support for the list of IP Addresses

If this does not address the issue and you have a content filter, please temporarily disable or bypass the content filter to see if it helps.

My test is slow.

If you have a fast Internet connection and questions are taking more than five seconds to load, verify that you do not have performance problems connecting to other sites. If you believe it is a problem with the testing site, please contact Technical Support.

I cannot find an answer to my problem. How do I contact you?

If you cannot find an answer, please contact technical support at 1-800-514-8494 or support@testsys.com and we will be happy to assist you.

Appendix – Minimum System Requirements for Online Testing

The following system specifications will provide the best online testing experience. The specifications which must be met are noted with an asterisk. All other specifications are recommendations.

NOTICE: Minimum system requirements change July 1, 2015

Effective July 1, 2015, our online testing applications will no longer work on computers running Mac OS X 10.4 or Windows XP without Service Pack 3 installed. This change is being made to comply with industry recommended best practices. We will provide appropriate messaging when possible, but in certain cases connections will be refused, and a network error will appear.

Windows Computers:

Macintosh Computers: