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Test
Administration
How do I get my students into the system?
An administrator user is able to upload a file containing all of the students for his or her school who will access the online test. A file template is available to help you create this import file. The template and instructions can be found in the User’s Guide in the "Help" folder or in the “Students” folder.
How do I get my login information?
A welcome e-mail is sent to division coordinators with user name and password information. Should you encounter technical difficulties with the login information, please contact Technical Support. Any additional information requests/changes should be forwarded to Lois A. Williams, Ed.D., 804-786-8078.
The division coordinators have the ability to set up school coordinators. Once this new user has been created, the division coordinator can choose to send a welcome e-mail by clicking the link in the right menu box. School coordinator should contact their division coordinator with questions regarding his or her user account.
Division and school coordinators will also be able to set up other test coordinators (teachers, tutors, proctors). This process will follow the same one outlined above.
Where do I find an overview of how to use the system?
Once you have successfully logged in through the Test Administrator page, additional information is available through the “Help” folder.
If I need to leave the Secure Browser window before the test is complete, what do I do?
Use the Pause button within the test. If the test is locked up or frozen and the Pause button does not work, you may use CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+F10
How do I purchase testing units for the ARDT test administration?
Additional testing units may be purchased directly by using the ARDT Online Testing Units Order Form. After logging in, please go to the “Help” folder click the button to download the form.
Who is the point of contact for the Algebra
Readiness Initiative?
ARDT-Virginia State Education Department Contact:
Lois A. Williams, Ed.D.
Middle School Mathematics Specialist
Virginia Department of Education
804-786-8078
Frequently
Asked Questions
I have a Microsoft Windows computer, what software do I
need to administer and take a test?
In order to administer and take a test, it is recommended that you have Windows 2000 or higher installed and Internet Explorer 5.5 or later. The tools for proctoring and taking the tests are available on both Windows and Mac OS X computers.
In order to take the test, Windows computers also require the installation of the Secure Browser. The Secure Browser prevents test takers from accessing web sites and other programs while testing. This software is only used when a student is taking the test and does not transfer any data other than test content and responses. The Secure Browser can be downloaded from the VA ARDT Test Administrator website at http://VARDT.starttest.com/
The latest version of Internet Explorer for Windows can be downloaded from http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/ie/getitnow.mspx. See the Appendix for a full list of technical requirements and recommendations.
I have an Apple Macintosh computer, what software do I
need to administer and take a test?
In order to administer and take a test, you need Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later and Safari 1.3 or later. The tools for proctoring and taking the tests are available on both Windows and Mac OS X computers.
In order to take the test, Mac OS X computers require the installation of the Secure Browser. The Secure Browser prevents test takers from accessing web sites and other programs while taking testing. This software is only used when a student is taking the test and does not transfer any data other than test content and responses. The Secure Browser download is available from the VA ARDT Test Administrator website at http://VARDT.starttest.com/
The latest version of Safari for Mac OS X can be downloaded from http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/. See the Appendix for a full list of technical requirements and recommendations.
What hardware do I need to take a test?
In addition to having a computer that supports one of the required browsers, a color monitor with a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels with 32-bit color is recommended. For best results, use a 17" or larger monitor.
What type of Internet connection should I have?
The administration of this test requires a high speed Internet connection. Please make sure you discuss your testing needs with your internal support resources to ensure you have the connectivity necessary to support the number of students you plan to test within a single testing session. You may use the System Check to confirm your Internet connection.
How can I check my computer to verify it can deliver this test?
Every computer should be checked to verify it is properly configured to administer this test. Please go to http://VARDT.starttest.com/ and click the "System Check" button. When performing the system check, please include your name and school information in the 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 Internet connection speeds and concurrent users due to the amount of Internet activity at your site. Accordingly, the numbers displayed may not accurately reflect bandwidth as reported by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Please contact Technical Support for additional assistance.
How often do I need to run the System Check?
You only need to run the System Check one time on each computer.
I am concerned about my privacy. Do you use cookies? How
do I configure my browser to allow cookies?
The privacy of students, their personal information, and the test materials are extremely important. Session cookies are used to track the current test each student is taking. Session cookies are deleted from your machine as soon as the student closes the testing browser.
To enable cookies, you will need to access your internet browsing privacy options. 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 both "*.starttest.com" and "*.starttest2.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 windows are only needed for the Test Launch verification 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" and *.starttest2.com to your pop-up blocker's list of allowed sites.
In Internet Explorer running on Windows XP, click on the "Tools" menu, choose "Pop-up Blocker" and then select "Pop-up Blocker Settings…". Enter the site address "*.starttest.com" into the "Address of Web site to allow" box and click the Add button. Repeat the process to add the site address "*.starttest2.com" to the list of allowed sites. After adding both sites, click "Close" and the browser will allow pop-ups from those sites.
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.
I am having problems with the "Bookmarks" or
"Favorites" I created for this site. How should I be adding
bookmarks that don't break?
To ensure working bookmarks and favorites for this web site, please follow the instructions below:
Windows users may use the "Bookmark this Site" link that is found on the main page. Windows users with Internet Explorer may also right-click on "Welcome to the Virginia Algebra Readiness Test" and choose Add to Favorites...". Then, choose the location in which to create the favorite and click "Add".
Mac OS X users with Safari will need to hold down the "Control" key and click on Welcome to the Virginia Algebra Readiness Test (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.
Technical Support
If you are having trouble accessing the test, please ensure that you are
using the recommended operating systems and browsers listed in the
Appendix.
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.
- Check to see if you can access other sites over the Internet to make sure that your
Internet connection is functioning properly.
- 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 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 division technical support group to check these settings)
- If you have checked all of these possible issues and you still receive the "Page not found" error, you will need to contact your school or division technical support group for further assistance.
All of the navigation buttons are not appearing or the
test is locking up during navigation.
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 part of your browser. 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.
We are aware of some schools that are able to pass the system check, but 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 your 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 this 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?
Contact technical support at 1-866-697-3026 or VARDTSupport@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.
Windows Computers:
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Supported
Browser:
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Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher and the Secure Browser for Windows*
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Operating
System:
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Windows
2000 or higher
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Processor:
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233 MHz
or higher Intel Pentium/Celeron family, or AMD K6/Althlon/Duron family; or
compatible processor
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RAM:
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128 MB
or higher
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Display:
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1024 x 768
with 32-bit color or higher* For best results, use a 17" monitor
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Internet
Connection:
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High-Speed
Internet connection.
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Plug-ins:
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Requires Flash 6 or higher. Download the latest version of Flash from the Adobe Flash Player Download Center.
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Macintosh Computers:
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Supported
Browser:
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Apple
Safari 1.2 or higher and the Secure Browser for Mac OS X*
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Operating
System:
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Mac OS
X 10.3.9 or higher
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Processor:
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PowerPC
G3, G4, or G5 processor; or Intel-based Mac
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RAM:
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256 MB
or higher
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Display:
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1024 x 768
with 32-bit color or higher* For best results, use a 17" monitor
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Internet
Connection:
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High-Speed
Internet connection. 768kbps or better.
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Plug-ins:
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Requires Flash 6 or higher. Download the latest version of Flash from the Adobe Flash Player Download Center.
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