Contents


Overview of the Test Site

All tests have navigation and test tools. Some test tools are available only for specific tests or questions.

Sample Test Page

sample test page showing the Global Menu area with tools at the top, a stimulus section on the left, and a question section on the right

There are two main types of test tools available:

Global ToolsInstructions

Help (?) Button

To view the on-screen Help Guide window, select ? in the upper-right corner.

Calculator

To use the on-screen calculator, select Calculator in the global menu.

This tool is available for the following tests:

  • EOC Algebra 1 and 2
  • Smarter Balanced Mathematics grades 6, 7, 8, and 11
  • HSA-Alt Mathematics grades 3-8 and 11
Dictionary

To search the Merriam-Webster dictionary or thesaurus, select Dictionary in the global menu.

This tool is available for the following test:

  • ELA Performance Task
Formula

To view the on-screen formula sheet, select Formulas in the global menu.

This tool is available for the following test:

  • EOC Algebra 2
Language Toggle

For items and stimuli that have content in two languages, such as English and Spanish, you can select the language in which to display the content to make it easier to read. By default, items will be presented in the language specified at the beginning of the test. When Presentation = Spanish, items will be presented in Spanish. To switch the language, select the Language Toggle button Language Toggle Tool in the global menu.

This tool is available for the following tests for students testing in the Spanish language:

  • Smarter Balanced Mathematics
  • HSA Science
  • Biology EOC Exam
Line Reader

To highlight an individual line of text in a passage or question, select Line Reader in the global menu.

Masking

The Masking tool temporarily covers a distracting area of the test page. To use this tool:

  1. Select the Masking button in the global menu.
  2. Select and drag across the distracting area.

To close the Masking tool, select the Masking button again. To remove a masked area, select X in the upper-right corner of that area.

Notes

To enter notes in an on-screen notepad, select Notes in the global menu.

This tool is available for the following test:

  • ELA Performance Task
Periodic Table

To view the on-screen periodic table, select Periodic Table in the global menu.

This tool is available for the following tests:

  • HSA Science
  • Biology EOC Exam
System Settings

When available, you can select System SettingsSystem Settings button in the upper-right corner to change some test settings. These may include:

  • Audio volume
  • Background and text color

After making changes, select Apply. To reset your settings, select Reset All.

Zoom ButtonsTo enlarge the text and images on a test page, select Zoom In. There are several zoom levels. To undo zooming, select Zoom Out.

 

Context Menu ToolsInstructions
American Sign Language

You can watch videos that translate test content into American Sign Language (ASL). To view ASL videos:

  • Select American Sign Language from the context menu.
    • If only one ASL video is available, the video opens automatically.
    • If multiple ASL videos are available, sign language icons American Sign Language Icon appear next to the test content for each video. Select the icon for the test content you wish to translate into ASL.

This tool is available for the following tests for students using the ASL accommodation:

  • Smarter Balanced ELA
  • Math CAT
Expand Passage

To expand the passage section, select the double arrow icon double arrow icon in the upper-right corner of that section. The passage section will overlap the question section for easier readability. To collapse the expanded section, select the double arrow icon double arrow icon again.

Glossary (Word List)

To open the glossary, select a word or phrase that has a border around it. This tool is only available for certain words.

Highlighter

To highlight text, select the text on the screen and then select Highlight Selection from the context menu. To remove highlighting, select Reset Highlighting from the context menu.

You cannot highlight text in images.

This tool cannot be used while the Line Reader tool is in use.

Mark for ReviewTo mark a question for review, select Mark for Review from the context menu. The marked question number shows a flap in the upper-right corner. A flag icon flag icon appears next to the number. The Items dropdown list shows a Item Marked for Review Flag for the selected question.
Notepad

To make notes on a question, select Notepad from the context menu.

You can only access your notes for a question on that question’s test page.

Select Previous Version

To open and restore responses previously entered for a Text Response question, click Select Previous Version from the context menu. A list of saved responses appears. Choose the response you want and click Select.

Strikethrough

For selected response questions, you can cross out an answer option if that helps you focus on the options you think might be correct.

There are two options for using this tool:

Option A:

  1. To activate Strikethrough mode, open the context menu and select Strikethrough.
  2. Select the answer options you want to cross out.
  3. To deactivate Strikethrough mode, press the Esc key or select outside the response area.

Option B:

  1. Right-click an answer option and select Strikethrough.
Tutorial

To view a short video on how to answer a particular type of question, select Tutorial from the context menu.

 

In addition to the global tools and context menu tools, there are additional tools that may be available to you based on your test settings.

Other ToolsDescription
Word Prediction

When this tool is on, suggested words pop up in a menu as you type a written response. You can select a word in the pop-up menu instead of typing it out.


Test Rules

Navigation Rules

Accessing the Navigation Bar for HSA-Alt Assessments

Pause Rules

For Smarter Balanced ELA and Mathematics, HSA Science, and EOC Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Biology 1 tests:

For ELA Performance Task tests:

For HSA-Alt Assessments:


About Print-on-Demand and Text-to-Speech

About Print-on-Demand

To send a print request to the Test Administrator, choose from the following options:

About Text-to-Speech

For the Smarter Balanced ELA CAT, Text-to-Speech is an accommodation that requires state-level approval. For other tests, Text-to-Speech is available as a designated support that does not require state-level approval. The following tests allow you to listen to test content as a designated support:

NOTE: Text-to-Speech is not automatically enabled for any tests. TAs and/or TCs must pre-set the TTS designated support for the above tests via the TIDE system or the TA Live Site prior to the start of student testing.

To listen to content with the Text-to-Speech tool: