How to Use Global Tools
The global menu consists of navigation buttons on the left and tool buttons on the right (refer to Figure 49):
To use a global test tool, select the button for the tool to activate it.
Table 3 lists the tools available in the global menu.
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Table 3. Global Tools
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Tool Name
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Instructions
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Basic Calculator (refer to Icons)
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To use the on-screen calculator, select Calculator in the global menu.
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Dictionary (refer to Icons)
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To look up definitions in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, select Dictionary in the global menu. Applicable tests/grades have the Oxford Spanish dictionary.
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Graph/Draw (refer to Icons)
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To view the on-screen graph paper, click the Graph/Draw icon in the global menu.
The Graph/Draw tool allows students to plot points and lines and includes free-form draw functionality with multiple colors.
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Help (refer to Icons)
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To view the on-screen Help Guide window, select the question mark icon in the upper-right corner.
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Line Reader (refer to Icons)
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To highlight an individual line of text in a passage or question, select Line Reader in the global menu. If the enhanced line-reader mode is enabled, all content except for the line in focus is grayed out for greater emphasis.
The line-reader tool is not available while the Highlighter tool is in use.
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Notepad (refer to Icons)
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To enter notes in an on-screen notepad, select Notepad in the global menu. Notes are available globally and can be accessed from any page in the test.
Depending on the tool’s settings, advanced editing features such as word and character count, spell check, and text formatting options may be available. Table 10 provides a list of these editing tools.
Furthermore, if the copy/paste feature is enabled, the text entered in this tool can be copied and pasted into text response areas or comment fields of questions displayed on that page.
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Pause (refer to Icons)
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To pause a test, select Pause Test button and then select Yes in the confirmation message that appears.
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Periodic Table (refer to Icons)
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To view the on-screen periodic table, click the Periodic Table icon in the global menu.
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References (refer to Icons)
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To view the on-screen reference sheet, select References in the global menu.
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Ruler (refer to Icons)
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To view the on-screen ruler, click the Ruler icon in the global menu.
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System Settings (refer to Icons)
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To adjust audio volume, audio rate/speed, during the test, select System Settings button in the upper-right corner. Students testing with TTS can also use this tool to adjust TTS settings.
Students testing on mobile devices cannot use this tool to adjust volume. To adjust audio volume on mobile devices, students must use the device's built-in volume control.
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Zoom buttons (refer to Icons)
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To enlarge the text and images on a test page, select Zoom In. Multiple zoom levels are available. To undo zooming, select Zoom Out.
How to Use Context Menu Tools
A test page may include several elements, such as the question, answer options, and stimulus. The context menu for each element contains tools applicable to that element (refer to Figure 49 and Figure 50). Table 4 lists the available context menu tools.
If a question has multiple parts, a context menu may be available for each part of the question. In such cases, the active context menu (that is, the context menu for the question or stimulus currently in focus) appears enabled, while the other context menus are grayed out. Furthermore, if this feature is enabled when a student is attempting a question, the question number and context menu remain visible and easily accessible even when the student scrolls through the content.
To use the context menu, do one of the following:
To use a context menu tool for a stimulus or question, open the context menu by clicking the context Menu icon or by right-clicking the required elements, and then select the tool (refer to Icons).
To use a context menu tool for answer options, open the context menu for answer options and select the required tool. To open the context menu for answer options, do one of the following:
If you are using a two-button mouse, right-click an answer option.
If you are using a single-button mouse, click an answer option while pressing Ctrl.
If you are using a Chromebook, click an answer option while pressing Alt.
If you are using a tablet, tap the answer option and then tap the context menu button.
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Table 4. Context Menu Tools
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Tool Name
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Instructions
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American Sign Language
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You can watch videos that translate test content into American Sign Language (ASL).
To view ASL videos:
From the context menu, select American Sign Language, or select the ASL button (refer to Icons) next to the context menu.
If only one ASL video is available, the video opens automatically.
If multiple ASL videos are available, ASL button appear next to the test content for each video (refer to Icons). Select the icon for the test content you wish to translate into ASL.
If the ASL video content includes chapter markers, you can jump from one point of the video to another.
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Highlighter
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To highlight text, select the text on the screen and then select Highlight Selection from the context menu. If multiple color options are available, select an option from the list of colors that appears.
To remove highlighting, select Reset Highlighting from the context menu.
Text in images cannot be highlighted. This tool is not available while the Line Reader tool is in use.
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Mark for Review
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To mark a question for review, select Mark for Review from the context menu. The question number displays a flap Mark For Review Question icon in the upper-right corner and a Mark For Review Flag icon appears next to the question number on the test page (refer to Icons). The Items drop-down list also displays a flag icon next to the question number.
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Select Previous Version
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To view and restore saved responses previously entered for a Text Response question, select the Select Previous Version option from the context menu. A list of saved responses appears. Select the appropriate response and click Select.
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Sticky Notes
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To enter notes for a question, select Notepad from the context menu. After entering a note, a Pencil icon appears next to the question number on the test page (refer to Icons).
You can access your notes for a question only on that question’s test page.
Depending on the tool’s settings, advanced editing features, such as word count, spell check, and text formatting options may be available. Table 10 lists these editing tools.
Furthermore, if the copy/paste feature is enabled, the text entered in this tool can be copied and pasted into text response areas of questions displayed on that page.
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Strikethrough
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For selected-response questions, students can cross out an answer option to focus on the options they think may be correct. If the tool is set to the enhanced mode, students can strikethrough multiple lines of text, such as an answer option spanning more than a line, as well as graphics.
There are two options for using this tool:
Option A:
Activate Strikethrough mode by opening the context menu and selecting Strikethrough.
Select each answer option for strike out.
Deactivate Strikethrough mode by pressing Esc or clicking outside the question’s response area.
Option B: Right-click an answer option and select Strikethrough.
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Text-to-Speech
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To listen to passages and questions:
Do one of the following:
Right-click in the passage or stimulus section.
Select the context menu.
Select the TTS button next to the context menu.
Then select a Speak option.
To listen to your responses to constructed response questions, use the TTS button in the question response area. . For constructed-response items with a notepad, to listen to your notes, select the TTS button in the notepad. For more information, refer to the Select Previous Version tool.
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Tutorial
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To view a short video demonstrating how to respond to a particular question type, select Tutorial from the context menu.
How to Use the Select Previous Version Tool
The Select Previous Version tool allows students to view and restore saved responses they previously entered for a text response question. For example, if students type a response, select Save, delete the text, and enter new text, they can use this tool to recover the original response. Please note that if the student’s test pauses, any responses entered prior to pausing will no longer appear in the Select Previous Version window:
To recover a previously entered response, select the Select Previous Version option from the context menu. The Select Previous Version window appears, listing all the saved responses for the question in the left panel.
Select a response version from the left panel. The text associated with that response appears in the right panel.
Select Select. The selected response appears in the text box for the question.
About the Text-To-Speech Tool
Students testing with TTS can listen to applicable passages, questions, and answer options using the TTS option available in the selected element’s context menu or when selecting the TTS button () next to it, as well as any notes they take in the notepad for those items, based on their accommodations. In addition, students can listen to warnings, such as the warning that pops up when they have not answered one or more questions in a test section. A test may include text that is not permitted to be read aloud. This text will be skipped when using TTS. If a student’s test settings require that the test page be read out in its entirety, TTS will automatically read the entire page and will prevent the student from performing any action until the content has been fully read.
If a student is using Text-to-Speech Tracking, the words and surrounding line of text become highlighted as they are read aloud.
TTS is available when using the secure browser application or a supported Chrome, Firefox, or Edge browser.
If mandatory TTS is enabled for a student, TTS will automatically read the entire page. For reading language arts (RLA) tests, students can use the scroll bar feature to read the passage while it is being read aloud. A 5 second countdown feature will be displayed at the top of the student interface prior to applicable text being read aloud:
To listen to an applicable passage, students open the passage context menu, or select the TTS button next to it, and select a Speak option. Students can also select a portion of text to listen to, such as a word or phrase. To do so, students select the text, open the passage context menu, or select the TTS button next to it, and click Speak Selection:
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To listen to an applicable question or answer options, students open the question context menu, or select the TTS button next to it, and select one of the following Speak options:
To listen to a multiple-choice question and all answer options, students select Speak Question.
To listen only to an answer option, students select Speak Option from the context menu and then select the answer option. Students could also right-click the answer option and select Speak Option.
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To listen to applicable passages, questions, and answer options from where they want, students can right-click on the word and choose the Start Speaking from Here option.
How to Use Other Tools
In addition to the global tools and context menu tools, some additional tools may be available to students, depending on their accommodations or the test page layout. Table 5 lists the additional tools available on the Student Interface.
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Table 5. Other Tools
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Tool Name
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Instructions
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Content and Language Supports
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Content and Language Supports allow for various types of assistance (e.g., scaffolded directions, assistance with tracking, graphic organizers, simplified language, graphic representations of vocabulary and concepts) to support a student’s understanding of passages, test questions, and answer choices.
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Expand Passage
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To expand the passage section, select the Expand Passage icon (refer to Icons). The section will expand and overlap the question section for easier readability. To collapse the expanded section, select the Expand Passage icon again.
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Expand Buttons
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You can expand the passage section or the question section for easier readability.
To expand the passage section, select the Right Arrow button below the global menu (refer to Icons). To collapse the expanded passage section, select the Left Arrow button in the upper-right corner (refer to Icons).
To expand the question section, select the Left Arrow button below the global menu (refer to Icons). To collapse the expanded question section, select the Right Arrow button in the upper-left corner (refer to Icons).
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Speech-to-Text (STT)
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Speech-to-Text allows students testing with the appropriate accommodations to dictate responses to constructed response questions. To use STT, students select the Microphone icon in the formatting toolbar of the question response area and begin speaking (refer to Icons). The dictated response will be transcribed as text in the question response area.
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Co:Writer Word Prediction Tool
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When this tool is enabled, suggested words will pop up in a menu as students type a written response. Student can select a word in the pop-up menu instead of typing it out manually. For more information, refer to the section About the Word Prediction (Co:Writer) Tool.
How to Use the Speech-to-Text Tool
Students approved for this accommodation may use the STT tool when responding to text response questions. The STT tool allows a student to dictate responses to questions that support the use of STT, and the student’s spoken words are then transcribed as text in the question response areas.
To begin dictating, the student selects the Microphone icon that displays in the formatting toolbar of the question’s text response area (refer to Icons). The formatting toolbar scrolls along with the page and remains visible while the question is in focus.
When the microphone icon is selected, it appears shaded while enabled. As the student speaks, the words are transcribed into the text response area. While the text is being transcribed, dots may appear in the text response area to indicate that the transcription is in progress.
If no sound is detected, the microphone will turn off and the student will need to select the microphone icon again to continue dictating. If the student selects the microphone icon again and starts dictating, the new text is automatically appended to the previously transcribed text.
Students can dictate for five minutes at a time. Depending on the tool settings, the entered text may be auto-punctuated. The student can control the punctuation and grammar of the text through speech commands to some extent. For example, the student can say, “New Paragraph” to create a new paragraph. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to ensure the accuracy of the transcription as well as the grammar and punctuation.
Students cannot navigate away from the test page while the STT feature is activated.
About the Word Prediction (Co:Writer) Tool
The Word Prediction (Co:Writer) tool is available for students with the appropriate accommodations who are testing on supported iPadOS and ChromeOS devices. This tool automatically predicts each word as students type a written response, allowing them to select a word from a suggested list instead of typing it manually.
To use the Word Prediction (Co:Writer) tool, students begin to type in the text box for an item with a written response. Suggested words automatically pop up based on what students type.
To select a suggested word, students do either of the following:
To select a word with the mouse, click it in the list of words.
To select a word using keyboard navigation, press the number key associated with that word in the list. For example, in Figure 52 above, students would press 1 to select “type” from the list.
Note: Since number keys are used to select options in the menu, students may not be able to use some number keys to enter numerals in the text box. If a student needs to enter a numeral when Word Prediction (Co:Writer) is enabled, they should select 123 in the corner of the pop-up. A list of numerals appears. Students can select a numeral or select abc to return to the list of suggested words.
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| Table of Contents | ||||||||||||||||||
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Icon Name | Icon Image |
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Expand Button | 
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Plus Sign | 
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Collapse All Button | 
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Minus Sign | 
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Add Filter Button | 
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Magnifying Glass Button | 
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Collapse Button | 
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Remove X Button | 
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Eye Button | 
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Blue Dots Icon | 
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Orange Dots Icon |  |
Red Dots Icon |  |
Red X Button | 
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Green Check Button | 
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Refresh Page Button | 
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Up Down Arrow Button | 
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More Info Button | 
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Blue Pause Button | 
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Stop Session Button | 
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Directional Button | 
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Share Link Button | 
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Edit Button | 
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Delete Button | 
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Export Button | 
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Audio Button | 
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Stimulus Button |
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Book Button | 
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Marked for Review Icon | 
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Unanswered Icon | 
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Left Arrow Button |    |
Right Arrow Button |    |
Keyboard Button | 
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Play Button | 
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1x Button | 
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Pause Button | 
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Resizing Handle Button | 
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Pop Out Button | 
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Basic Calculator Button | 
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Dictionary Button | 
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Graph/Draw Button | 
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Help Button | 
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Line Reader Button | 
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Notepad Button | 
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Pause Test Button |  |
Periodic Table Button | 
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References Button | 
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Ruler Button | 
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System Settings Button | 
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Zoom In Button | 
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Zoom Out Button |  |
Menu Button | 
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Microphone Button | 
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ASL Button | 
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Mark For Review Question Icon | 
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Mark For Review Flag Icon | 
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Pencil Icon | 
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Cover Page Icon | 
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Expand Passage Button | 
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Push Pin | .png?version=2&modificationDate=1729782738154&cacheVersion=1&api=v2&width=5){kind=small} |
K
Keyboard Commands in the Student Interface
Students can use keyboard commands to navigate between test elements, features, and tools. Important things to note about keyboard commands are as follows:
Keyboard commands require the use of the primary keyboard, so please do not use keys in a numeric keypad.
Some keyboard commands (such as the commands for using the Line Reader) may not function when testing on iPadOS devices connected to an external keyboard.
When Permissive Mode is enabled for a test, keyboard commands are blocked and will not function.
Keyboard Commands for Sign-In Pages and In-Test Pop-Ups
Table 6 lists keyboard commands for selecting options on the sign-in pages or pop-up windows that appear during a test.
Table 6. Keyboard Commands for Sign-In Pages and Pop-Up Windows | |
Function | Keyboard Commands |
Move to the next option | Tab |
Move to the previous option | Shift + Tab |
Select the active option | Enter |
Mark checkbox | Space |
Scroll through dropdown list options | Arrow Keys |
Close pop-up window | Esc |
Keyboard Commands for Test Navigation
Table 7 lists keyboard commands for navigating tests and responding to questions.
Table 7. Keyboard Commands for Test Navigation | |
Function | Keyboard Commands |
Scroll up | Up Arrow |
Scroll down | Down Arrow |
Scroll to the right | Right Arrow |
Scroll to the left | Left Arrow |
Move to the next element | Tab |
Move to the previous element | Shift + Tab |
Select an answer option | Space |
Go to the next test page | Ctrl + Right Arrow |
Go to the previous test page | Ctrl + Left Arrow |
Open the global menu | Ctrl + G |
Open a context menu | Ctrl + M |
Keyboard Commands for Global and Context Menus
Students can use keyboard commands to access tools in the global and context menus. For more information about tools in these menus, refer to the section How Students Use Test Tools.
Global Menu
To access the global menu tools using keyboard commands, press Ctrl + G. The global menu list opens.
To move between options in the global menu, use the Up or Down arrow key.
To select an option, press Enter.
To close the global menu without selecting an option, press Esc.
Context Menus
To open the context menu for an element (question, answer options, or stimulus), navigate to the element using the Tab or Shift + Tab command.
Press Ctrl + M. The context menu for the selected element opens.
To move between options in the context menu, use the Up or Down arrow keys.
To select an option, press Enter.
To close the context menu without selecting an option, press Esc.
Keyboard Commands for Highlighting Selected Regions of Text
This section explains how to use keyboard commands to select a text excerpt (such as a word in a passage) and highlight it. These instructions only apply to students using the secure browser application:
To select text and highlight it, navigate to the element containing the text you want to select.
Press Ctrl + M to open the context menu and navigate to Enable Text Selection.
Press Enter. A flashing cursor appears at the upper-left corner of the active element.
To move the cursor to the beginning of the text you want to select, use the arrow keys.
Press Shift and an arrow key to select your text. The text you select appears shaded.
Press Ctrl + M and select Highlight Selection.
Keyboard Commands for Grid Questions
Questions with the grid response area may have up to three main sections – an answer space, which is the grid area where students enter the response; an object bank, which is a panel containing objects you can move to the answer space; and a button row, which appears above the answer space and may include Delete, Add Point, Add Arrow, Add Line, Add Circle, Add Dashed Line, and Connect Line buttons.
To move between the main sections, do the following:
To move clockwise, press Tab. To move counterclockwise, press Shift + Tab.
To add an object to the answer space, do the following:
With the object bank active, use the arrow keys to move between objects. The active object has a blue background.
To add the active object to the answer space, press Space:
To use the action buttons, do the following:
With the button row active, use the left and right arrow keys to move between the buttons. The active button is white.
To select a button, press Enter, and then press Space to apply the point, arrow, or line to the answer space.
To move objects and graph elements in the answer space, do the following:
With the answer space active, press Enter to move between the objects, and then press Space. The active object displays a blue border.
Press an arrow key to move the object. To move the object in smaller increments, hold Shift while pressing an arrow key.
Keyboard Commands for Equation Questions
Equation questions allow students to use keyboard commands to open a menu listing the special characters they can insert into the response area:
To insert special characters in the response area, with the focus in the text field of the response area, press Alt + 7. The Special Characters window opens.
To move between options in the context menu, use the Up or Down arrow keys.
To add the selected option to the response area, press Enter.
L
Login Information for the Test Administrator Interface and Practice Site
Test administrators will not be able to access the Test Administrator Interface or Practice Site until their district coordinators or campus coordinators has first created their accounts in TIDE. Once the account is created, the test administrator will receive an account activation email. He or she can then log in to the Test Administrator Interface and Practice Site after activating the account:
Navigate to the Texas Assessment Program portal, TexasAssessment.gov.
Select the relevant user role.
Select the appropriate Test Administrator Site:
To access the Test Administrator Interface, select Test Administrator Interface.
To access the Test Administrator Practice Site, select Practice and Released Tests, then select Test Administrator Practice Site:
The Secure Login page appears. Enter your email address and password.
Select Secure Log In. The selected Test Administrator Site appears.
If you have not logged in using this browser before, or if you have cleared your browser cache, the Confirm Account page appears and an email containing an authentication code is sent to your address:
Type the code you receive into the Emailed Code field.
Select Submit to view the Test Administrator Site.
Note: Youmust use the authentication code within 15 minutes of the email being sent. If the code has expired, click Resend Code to request a new code.
When scheduling or starting a test session, if you are associated with multiple institutions that have test windows set, a pop-up message prompts you to select a testing institution. Select your institution from the dropdown list and select Go. To change the institution, you must log out and then log back in.
P
Pause and Test Timeout Rules
Pause Rules
Students can pause a test at any time in order to temporarily log out of the test session. If a student pauses their test, they can resume their test using the same session ID:
If the test is paused for less than 8 hours, the student can return to questions that were already answered and modify answers.
If the test is paused for more than 8 hours, the student can return to questions that were already answered but cannot change the answers. The only exception is if the session was paused on a page that has at least one unanswered question.
All answers are saved immediately. They are not lost if the test is paused.
If the test session has ended, the test administrator will need to set up a new session, and the student must sign in to their test using a new session ID.
These pause rules apply regardless of whether the student pauses the test, or a technical issue logs the student out.
Test Timeout Rules
A warning message displays after 5 minutes of inactivity and the student will be logged out after 20 minutes of inactivity.
Practice Tests Site Student Sign-In Process
The Student Practice Site allows students to take practice tests. Text-to-Speech (TTS) is available on the Student Sign-in page when students select the TTS button. (TTS is only available in the practice interface if a student with TTS set in TIDE logs in with their TSDS ID and a practice session ID.) Aside from the sign-in process, the Practice Tests Site has the same appearance and functionality as the Student Interface. For information on how to sign in to the Student Interface, refer to How Students Sign In and Select Tests.
Students can take practice tests in proctored sessions created in the Test Administrator Practice Site or in in non-proctored/guest sessions. Students also have the option to sign in to the test sessions with their real identities to take tests specific to their grades or sign in as guests to take tests for any grade level.
To access the Student Practice Site, do one of the following:
From the Texas Assessment Program portal (TexasAssessment.gov), select the Practice Tests Login card.
In the secure browser application, select the Take a Practice Test button.
To sign in, students do the following:
To sign in as a guest, students set the Guest User toggle to On. Otherwise, to use their real credentials, students set the Guest User toggle to Off and then enter their first name and TSDS ID.
To join a guest session, students set the Guest Session toggle to On. Or else, to join a proctored session, students set the Guest Session toggle to Off and enter the Session ID from the Test Administrator Practice Site. If using a test session link to join the session, the session ID will be pre-filled.
Students select Sign In:
If signed in with their real identities, the Is This You page appears. Students verify their information and click Yes to proceed to the Your Tests page.
If signed in as guest users, students are directly taken to the Your Tests page.
On the Your Tests page, students do one of the following:
If signed in with their real identities, students select a test from the ones available for their grade.
Students signed in as guests select their grade level from the dropdown list to view the tests available for that grade and then select a test. If the students signed in to a guest session, they must select the test settings they wish to use from the Choose Settings page and then select the Select button. When selecting the color of the text and background, mouse-pointer, and print size settings, students can refer to a live preview of their selected settings.
If the test includes audio content or text-to-speech settings, the Audio/Video Checks page appears displaying the functionality checks that need to be performed. Students must follow the instructions on this page to ensure their device is working properly.
On the final sign-in page, students may review the help guide, their test settings, and the additional test information, then select Begin Test Now to start or resume their test opportunity.
Practice Test Score Report
After students submit the test, the Your Results page appears. For some tests, this page also displays the test score. Table 8 provides an overview of the columns in the score report.
Table 8. Overview of the Score Report | |
Column | Description |
Question Number | The link in this column opens the question page with the student’s entered response. |
Your Score | Number of points the student earned out of the maximum points possible for the question. |
Max Score | Maximum points possible for the question. |
R
Recording Spoken Responses
Some tests may require students to record a spoken response. In order to record a spoken response, students must test with a headset that has a functioning microphone.
If the Student Testing Site determines that there may be audio issues with the student’s response, a warning message appears, encouraging them to play the response they entered to make sure it is audible.
If a spoken response item limits the number of attempts students can make to record, the Remaining Attempts section indicates how many attempts the students have left. Recording a new attempt erases the previous attempt. If a student runs out of attempts, the last attempt recorded will be used.
If a spoken response item limits the length of a student’s recording, a timer appears next to the microphone icon. The timer begins counting down when the student starts recording their response. The recording automatically stops when the timer runs out.
S
Secure Browser Application
The secure browser application ensures test security by prohibiting access to external applications and navigation away from the test. When the secure browser application launches, it checks for other applications running on the device. If it detects a forbidden application, it displays a message listing the offending application and prevents the student from testing. This also occurs if a forbidden application launches while the student is already in a test.
In most cases, a detected forbidden application is a scheduled or background job, such as anti-virus scans or software updates. The best way to prevent forbidden applications from running during a test is to schedule such jobs outside of planned testing hours.
Some additional measures you can implement to ensure the test environment is secure are:
Close External User Applications
Before launching the secure browser application, or prior to administering the online tests, close all non-required applications on testing devices, such as word processors and web browsers.
Avoid Testing with Dual Monitors
Students should not take online tests on computers connected to more than one monitor. Systems that use a dual-monitor setup typically display an application on one screen while another application is accessible on the other screen.
Disable Screen Savers and Timeout Features
On all testing devices, be sure to disable any features that display a screensaver or log users out after a period of inactivity. If such features activate while a student is testing, the secure browser application logs the student out of the test.
Using the Secure Browser Application with Accessibility Software
For students with special needs or administrators seeking to accommodate students using accessibility features, the secure browser application provides the option for assessments to be taken in less restrictive environments. This feature is known as Permissive Mode.
Permissive Mode is an accommodation option that allows students to use accessibility software in addition to the secure browser application. Offered on MacOS and Windows, students testing in Permissive Mode can have moderated access to the system outside of the secure browser application. This allows students who need accessibility tools to seamlessly navigate between the secure browser application and approved applications that suit their test-taking needs.
Please note that accessibility software must be certified for use with TDS and forbidden applications will still not be allowed to run. For information about supported operating systems, refer to the Tech Guide.
Permissive Mode activates when the student is approved for testing. Students who have the Permissive Mode setting enabled should not continue with the sign-in process until their accessibility software is correctly configured.
To use accessibility software with the secure browser application:
Open the required accessibility software.
Open the secure browser application. Begin the normal sign-in process up to the test administrator approval step.
When a student is approved for testing, the secure browser application allows the operating system’s menu and task bar to appear:
Windows: On Windows, the secure browser application resizes, and the taskbar remains visible inside the test in its usual position. Students can execute the keyboard shortcut ALT+TAB to switch between the secure browser application and accessibility applications, such as JAWS and NVDA, that they are permitted to use in their test session. Please note that when using Windows 10 and above, the task bar remains on-screen throughout the test after enabling accessibility software. However, forbidden applications are still prohibited.
Mac: On MacOS, the secure browser application resizes, and students can view the dock in its usual position inside the test. If the dock is set to autohide, no resizing occurs, and the dock is only visible when the mouse is moved toward the bottom of screen. Students can execute the keyboard shortcut CMD+TAB to switch between the secure browser application and permitted accessibility applications.
The student must immediately switch to the accessibility software that is already open on the computer so that it appears over the secure browser application. The student cannot click within the secure browser application until the accessibility software is configured:
Windows: To switch to the accessibility software application, click the application in the task bar.
Mac: To switch to the accessibility software application, click the application in the dock.
The student configures the accessibility software settings as needed.
After configuring the accessibility software settings, the student returns to the secure browser application. At this point, the student can no longer switch back to the accessibility software. If changes need to be made, the student must sign out and then sign in again.
The student continues with the sign-in process.
As soon as Permissive Mode is turned off, the secure browser application reoccupies the whole screen so that the taskbar or dock is no longer visible, and the student’s ability to switch between any applications and secure browser application is suppressed.
Accessing the Secure Browser Application on Mobile Devices
Tablets and Chromebooks should be configured for testing before you provide them to students. For more information, refer to the OS and platform specific technical documents on the Texas Assessment Program Portal.
To configure iPadOS devices:
Tap the SecureTestBrowser secure browser application icon.
To configure Chromebooks:
From the Apps link on the Chrome OS login screen, select SecureTestBrowser secure browser application.
Closing the Student Interface on Tablets
After a test session ends, close the SecureTestBrowser application on student tablets.
To close the Student Interface on iPadOS devices:
Double-tap the Home button or swipe up from the bottom of the screen. The multitasking bar appears.
Locate the SecureTestBrowser app preview and slide it upward.
To close the Student Interface on Chromebooks:
Click Close secure browser in the upper-right corner.
Text-Response Questions
For text-response question types in the Student Interface, students can use a formatting toolbar. This toolbar is available above the response field for text response questions and appears whenever students right-click anywhere in the text area. The formatting toolbar allows students to apply styling to text and use standard word-processing features. The lower-right corner of the response field displays the word count and character count for the student's response. Table 10 provides an overview of the formatting tools available.
Table 10. Description of Formatting Tools
| |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tool | Description of Function | ||||||
 | Print the entered text. | ||||||
 | Bold, italicize, or underline selected text. | ||||||
 | Remove formatting that was applied to the selected text. | ||||||
  | Insert a numbered or bulleted list. | ||||||
 | Indent a line of selected text. | ||||||
 | Decrease indent of text. | ||||||
 | Cut selected text. | ||||||
 | Copy selected text. | ||||||
 | Paste copied or cut text. | ||||||
 | Undo the last edit to text or formatting in the response field. | ||||||
 | Redo the last undo action. | ||||||
  | Use spell check to identify potentially misspelled words in the response field. The dropdown list allows you to set a language for this tool. | ||||||
 | Add special characters in the response field. | ||||||
Spell Check Feature
The spell check tool identifies words in the response field that may be misspelled:
Select a language for the spell check tool from the Spell Check dropdown list, if necessary.
In the toolbar, select Spell Check. Potentially incorrect words change color and become underlined.
Select a misspelled word. A list of suggestions appears.
Select a replacement word from the list. If none of the replacement words are correct, close the list by clicking anywhere outside it.
To exit spell check, selectSpell Check again.
Special Characters Feature
Students can add mathematical, accented, and other symbols:
To add a special character, in the toolbar, select Special Character.
In the window that pops up, select the required character.
U
User Support and Troubleshooting Information
User Support
For information and assistance in using TDS, contact Texas Testing Support. Texas Testing Support is open Monday–Friday 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. (CT) (except holidays or as otherwise indicated.).
Texas Testing Support Toll-Free Phone Support: (833) 601-8821 Email Support: TexasTestingSupport@cambiumassessment.com |
Please provide Texas Testing Support with a detailed description of your problem, as well as the following information:
Test administrator name
If the issue pertains to a student, provide the student’s TSDS ID and associated district or campus. Do not provide the student’s name.
If the issue pertains to a TIDE user, provide the user’s full name and email address.
Any error messages and codes that appeared, if applicable
Affected test title and question number, if applicable
Operating system and browser version information, including version numbers (for example, Windows 11 and Firefox 130 or Mac OS 14.6 and Safari 17.6)
Information about your network configuration, if known:
Secure browser application installation (to individual devices or network)
Wired or wireless internet network setup
Usernames and Password Issues
Your username for logging in to the Test Administrator Site is the email address associated with your account in TIDE. When you are added to TIDE, you receive an activation email containing a temporary link to the Reset Your Password page. To activate your account, you must set up your password within 15 minutes of the email being sent:
If your first temporary link expired:
In the activation email you received, select the second link provided and proceed to request a new temporary link.
If you forgot your password:
On the Secure Login page, select Forgot Your Password? and then enter your email address in the Email Address field. You will receive an email with a new temporary link to reset your password.
If you did not receive an email containing a temporary link or authentication code:
Check your spam folder to make sure your email program did not categorize it as junk mail. If you still have not received an email, contact your school or district coordinator to make sure you are listed in TIDE.
Additional help
If you are unable to log in, contact the Texas Testing Support for assistance. You must provide your name and email address. Contact information is available in the User Support section of this user guide.
Common Student Sign-In Errors
TDS generates an error message if a student cannot sign in. The following are the most common student sign-in issues:
Session does not exist
The student entered the Session ID incorrectly or signed in to the wrong site. Verify that the student correctly entered the active Session ID. Also, verify that both you and the student are using the correct sites. For example, students signed in to the Student Practice Site cannot access sessions created in the Test Administrator Interface. A message displayed in the bottom-left corner of the Student Sign-In page indicates which site the student is on. If a student is on the wrong site, the student can select the button included in the message to proceed to the correct site.
Student information is not entered correctly
Verify that the student correctly entered the TSDS ID. If this does not resolve the error, use the Student Lookup tool to verify the student's information.
Session has expired
The Session ID corresponds to a closed session. Ensure that the student enters the correct Session ID and verify that your session is open.
Student is not associated with the campus
The student is not associated with your campus, or you are not associated with the student’s campus.
Resolving Secure Browser Application Error Messages
This section provides possible resolutions for the following messages that students may receive when signing in to tests using the secure browser application.
You cannot login with this browser
This message occurs when the student is not using the correct secure browser application. To resolve this issue, ensure the latest version of the secure browser application is installed, and that the student launched the secure browser application instead of a standard web browser. If the latest version of the secure browser application is already running, then log the student out, restart the device, and try again.
Looking for an internet connection…
This message appears when the secure browser application cannot connect with TDS. This can occur if there is a network-related problem. Make sure that either the network cable is plugged in (for wired connections) or the Wi-Fi connection is live (for wireless connections). Also check if the secure browser application must use specific proxy settings; if so, those settings must be specified as options when configuring the secure browser application. If connection issues persist, contact a network technician.
Test Environment Is Not Secure
This message can occur when the secure browser application detects a forbidden application running on the device. If this message appears on an iPad, ensure that either Autonomous Single App Mode or Automatic Assessment Configuration is enabled.