Recent News about Online Testing

This summer we are using a new version of the online testing software, called MapleTA. As with all new software, there are a few aspects that don't work as they should, and consequently there will be occasional updates.

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.

Notes and bugs when using Internet Explorer on Windows:

1. (July 8)
   Problem: Exam timer does not appear in upper right corner of testing window.
   Solution: Update your Java Plugin to version 1.4.1. To do this, go to java.sun.com and download "JavaVM".
   
   
2. (July 8)
   Problem: "Preview" does not work.
   Solution: Update your Java Plugin to version 1.4.1. To do this, go to java.sun.com and download "JavaVM".
   
   
3. (July 8)
   Problem: "Browser Tuneup" does not work.
   Solution: The "Browser Tuneup" is not necessary, but if you want to try it, here is a reported workaround for this problem.
   After selecting the Browser Tuneup option:
   1. Highlight "Windows" in the option box and then click the Next button
   2. The Browser Tuneup window now displays choices for Browsers, select Netscape
   6.x/7.x and then click Next button. The Browser Tuneup window now shows the Netscape 6.x/7.x installation instructions.
   3. Scroll down in the window and move the mouse over the word WebEQApplet.jar
   and right click to display a context menu.
   4. Choose "Save Target as" from the context menu. When the File Download "Save
   As" dialog appears, choose the directory where the Sun Java Plugin is installed
   and then navigate down to the lib\applet subdirectory under the plugin (you can
   also save to the lib\ext). Save the WebEQApplet.jar to this directory. (e.g.
   C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.1_02\lib\applet)
   5. After saving the jar file close the Browser Tuneup window
   6. Close IE and then start IE for the new jar file to be recognized.

Notes and bugs when using Internet Explorer on MacOS9:

1. (July 8)
   Problem: Exam timer does not appear in upper right corner of testing window.
   Solution: Update your Java Plugin to version 1.4.1. To do this, go to java.sun.com and download "JavaVM".

All versions:

1. (July 8)
   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 (or at least wait a little while before trying again).