TESTING AND PLACEMENT PROGRAM PROCTOR'S GUIDE TO ONLINE TEST ADMINISTRATION! ACCUPLACER! PCMP / COURSE COMPASS Prepared by Wanda Kosinski Copyright 2007 by Ramapo College of New Jersey. All rights reserved.
Introduction Managing a successful test session is all about details. It requires training, practice, preparation, attention to particulars and the understanding that test security and following established protocols and procedures is of the utmost importance. Proctors need to know the purpose and use of tests and also how test takers may respond during a test session. Remaining calm under sometimes difficult or stressful circumstances is essential. This guide was prepared as a training and reference tool for new proctors as well as a refresher tool for seasoned testing personnel. Please review the guide, including the information available on the web by following the links provided after each section on the next page. During the training period, new proctors may find it helpful to write notes to remind themselves of the details involved in each step of the testing process. Be sure to keep the guide handy to refer to during the preparation for and administration of all test sessions at Ramapo College of New Jersey. Guidelines for a Suitable Testing Environment From College Board ACCUPLACER Coordinator's Guide, 2007! The testing room should be appropriately heated or cooled, adequately ventilated, and free from distractions.! Lighting should enable all examinees to read the computer screen in comfort. It should not produce shadows or glare on the computer screen or writing surface.! The testing room should not contain maps, periodic tables, posters, charts, or any other materials related to the subject matter of the test.! The testing room should comfortably accommodate the number of testing stations placed in it.! Position the computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse properly for ease of use without strain. Provide a comfortable chair with a back.! Testing room must be quiet throughout all test administrations. When testing is scheduled, or is in progress, other activities that would disrupt the standardized testing environment should not be conducted.! The building, testing rooms, and restrooms should be accessible to people with disabilities, including wheelchair access.! Rest rooms should be located near the testing room and should be easy to find. Post directional signs if necessary. 2
Testing Information ~ Online ACCUPLACER Ramapo College Testing Home Page! Purpose of the Placement Test! Who must take a Placement Test?! Schedule of Testing Fees http://www.ramapo.edu/academics/testing/index.html Test Registration! Online form! Telephone! Policy & procedure contact information! Disability related accommodations http://www.ramapo.edu/academics/testing/registration.html Test Exemption Policy! Prior testing! SAT! Advanced Placement (AP) Test! Transfer Credit! Degree http://www.ramapo.edu/academics/testing/exemptions.html Course Placement http://www.ramapo.edu/academics/testing/exemptions.html ACCUPLACER! Information link! Sample questions link http://www.ramapo.edu/academics/testing/accuplacer.html Research! Writing in Cyberspace: A Pilot Study of WritePlacer Plus with IntelliMetric Scoring! Fall 1998 Companion Pilot Study ~ Elementary Algebra http://www.ramapo.edu/academics/testing/reports.html MATH 021: PCMP Preparation for College Mathematics Program! Course outline, instructions, sample homework and tests http://phobos.ramapo.edu/~pcmp 3
Access to Test Web Site and Technical Support ACCUPLACER Web address: http://accuplaceronline.com/ For technical issues: 1. Telephone 1.800.486.8497 2. Email Help Desk at accuplacersupport@vantage.com 3. Complete the form under System Requirements at http://accuplaceronline.com PCMP Web address: http://coursecompass.com/ For technical issues:! Telephone MyMathLab 1.888.677.6337 For academic support issues:! Go to the Center for Academic Success (next to room E-216)! Telephone MyMathLab 1.800.435.4084 Brief Overview of Tests ACCUPLACER Reading Comprehension Sentence Skills Essay Arithmetic Elementary Algebra College Level Math (CLM) 20 test items, untimed 20 test items, untimed 30 minutes to write on assigned topic 17 test items, untimed 12 test items, untimed 20 test items, untimed PCMP 6 Test Modules, 60 minutes each Final Exam, 90 minutes General Testing Lab Protocol for ALL test administrations! All students must sign in on the appropriate attendance sheet! All cell phones and other electronic devices must be turned off! No food or drink is allowed in the lab! No handheld calculators or dictionaries are allowed in the lab! No parents, guardians, visitors or children are allowed in the lab! Once testing is underway, it is essential to maintain quiet in the lab ACCUPLACER INSTRUCTIONS ~ Proctor 4
1. Introduce yourself and welcome students to the Testing Center 2. At this time, please turn off cell phones & all other electronic devices! If your phone rings during testing you will be asked to leave 3. ACCUPLACER testing is untimed except for the Essay! You will have 30 minutes to write your essay! Do not write out your essay on paper; it must be typed it into the test screen! Do not worry if someone finishes before you do; not everyone will be taking the same number of test sections 4. ACCUPLACER is an adaptive test that means! Each question is selected based on how you answer the previous question! You cannot skip a question and answer it later, and you cannot go back to change an answer once you submit it 5. It is very important that you read and follow all the instructions on the screen! Be sure to keep your instruction sheet (hold up sample) handy to refer to during testing 6. No calculators or dictionaries may be used during the test! If you brought a calculator or dictionary with you, please place those items on top of tower at your computer station & be sure to take them with you before you leave 7. No food or drink is allowed in the testing lab 8. There is no talking in the lab during testing! If at any time you have a question or problem with either the test or the computer please raise your hand and I will help you.! Of course, I cannot answer any questions on the test itself. 9. At this point, does anyone have any questions about any of the instructions?! Please keep in mind there are other people testing, so maintaining quiet in the lab once testing begins is essential 10. When you are finished testing! A screen will appear that asks for a proctor password to be entered.! At that point, please! Raise your hand to alert proctor OR get up quietly and go into my office PCMP INSTRUCTIONS ~ Individual or Walk-in Sessions ~ Proctor 5
1. Welcome students and have them sign PCMP attendance sheet and indicate test that they will be taking during the session 2. Once students have signed attendance sheet, ask them to do the following:! be seated! logon to the Course Compass web site: www.coursecompass.com! take out their Ramapo College photo ID card (no photo ID = no test)! read PCMP instructions on the whiteboard! wait for Proctor to enter password that will begin their test session 3. Provide scratch paper to students and remind them that no calculator is allowed during testing 4. Verify photo ID 5. Check qualifying quiz score for the appropriate test 6. Click on the link for test and enter the required password 7. At that point, the test begins 8. When students are finished testing they may print ONE copy of their test score report and then they may quietly exit the lab 0_T&P_Guides for Proctors/Proctors Guide to Online Test Administration 6