Recent News about Online Testing
(updated June 4)

This past spring we began using a new version of the online testing software, called MapleTA 2.0. As with all new software, there are a few aspects that may not work as they should, and consequently there may be occasional upgrades.

Remember that I may occasionally have to restart the testing server to install upgrades. Whenever possible, I'll try to do this after midnight to minimize any possibility of interruption. However, if you do happen to be interrupted while taking a pretest, you can simply log in again to the same exam after the server restarts and continue with the exam.

If you notice any other problems with the testing system, please let me know.

Supported browsers and operating systems:

  1. According to the makers of MapleTA, the following configurations are supported
    (other configurations may or may not work):
  2. Make sure that Java and Javascript are enabled on the browser. Your browser must also be set to accept cookies and popups from the server. If you need to upgrade a Windows computer to the current version of Java, go to http://java.sun.com and download and install "JavaVM"; for Macintosh, use Software Update.

  3. Your ISP (Internet Service Provider) must provide a single IP address that stays constant during each session. Most ISP's are set up this way, but AOL is one that is not - the IP address is changed frequently during the session. Thus, if you are using AOL as your ISP, then the testing system will probably NOT work well.

Problems and solutions:

  1. Problem: Exam timer does not appear in upper right corner of testing window.
    Solution: Update your Java Plugin to version 1.4.2 on Windows or 1.4.2 on Macintosh. If you are using a Windows computer, go to java.sun.com and download "JavaVM"; for Macintosh, use Software Update.

  2. Problem: "Preview" does not work.
    Solution: Update your Java Plugin to version 1.4.2 on Windows or 1.4.2 on Macintosh. If you are using a Windows computer, go to java.sun.com and download "JavaVM"; for Macintosh, use Software Update.

  3. There was a minor yet annoying problem that sometimes occurred while using the old version of the online testing system. I do not yet know if it occurs with the new version. The problem is that occasionally when you hit the "Grade" button after completing your exam, you might get the disturbing message "There is no currently active test in your record file". However, in all cases we have ever seen when this occurs, your exam has actually been saved and graded. You can use the "View Past Results" link (on the testing web site) to see the results of your exam. The lesson here is to not panic, your exam has actually been saved and graded. I suspect that sometimes it occurs when a student hits "Grade", doesn't see an immediate response, and then hits it again while waiting. So make sure that you don't hit the "Grade" button twice in rapid succession - wait until the page updates before pressing the button again.
  4. Problem: Computer or browser crashes, network error occurs, etc.
    Solutions:
    1. If a problem such as this occurs and you lose your connection to the testing system, don't panic. In almost all cases, all of your work will have been saved. You should restart your computer or browser and login to take the exam again. You will be given a choice: continue with the old exam or grade the old exam. Make the appropriate choice, get your proctor's authorization, and you should be able to proceed. If you are continuing the old exam, then you should be able to pick up where you left off.
    2. If you continue to have problems with the computer you are working on, you may decide to switch computers. As in item (a) above, your proctor will need to authorize your re-entry into your exam when you switch computers.