Frequently Asked Questions

• I have a Microsoft Windows computer, what software do I need to administer and take a test?
• I have an Apple Macintosh computer, what software do I need to administer and take a test?
• What hardware do I need to take a test?
• What type of Internet connection should I have?
• How can I check my computer to verify it can deliver this test?
• I am concerned about my privacy. Do you use cookies? How do I configure my browser to allow cookies?
• Do I have to allow pop-ups? How can I configure my pop-up blocker to allow access to the testing site?
• I am having problems with the "Bookmarks" or "Favorites" I created for this site. How can I add bookmarks that don't break?
• Can I use virtual machines to test?

Technical Support

• I see a "Page not found" message when trying to access the test.
• All of the navigation buttons are not appearing or the test is locking up during navigation.
• My test is slow.
• I cannot find an answer to my problem. How do I contact you?

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, your computer needs Windows 98 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 for students 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 taking the test. This software does not transfer any information from the local computer, and it is not used when a student is not taking the test. The Secure Browser download is available from the ERB eCTP administrator website at https://eCTP.programworkshop.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 10.4 or later and Safari 2.0 or later. The tools for proctoring and taking the tests are available on both Windows and Mac OS X computers.

In order for students to take the test, Mac OS X computers also require the installation of the Secure Browser. The Secure Browser prevents test takers from accessing web sites and other programs while taking the test. This software does not transfer any information from the local computer, and it is not used when a student is not taking the test. The Secure Browser download is available from the ERB eCTP administrator website at https://eCTP.programworkshop.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, you will need to have a color monitor capable of displaying a resolution of 1024x768 pixels with 16-bit color. For best results, use a 17" or larger monitor.

What type of Internet connection should I have?

The administration of this test requires a broadband connection. Please make sure you discuss your testing needs with your school or district technical support staff 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 broadband 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 https://eCTP.programworkshop.com and click the "System Check" link. 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.

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. For example, 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 "*.starttest.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 blockers must allow the testing site to launch the web browser in a secure manner and to display feedback messages to students. 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" to your pop-up blocker's list of allowed sites before students attempt to access the test sites.

For example, in Internet Explorer running on Windows XP, click on the "Tools" menu, choose "Pop-up Blocker" and then select "Pop-up Blocker Settings". On the screen which opens, enter the site address "*.starttest.com" into the "Address of Web site to allow" box and click the Add button. After adding the site, click "Close" and the browser will now 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 only (be sure to enable them on both the practice test and the operational test sites).

I am having problems with the "Bookmarks" or "Favorites" I created for this site. How can I add bookmarks that don't break?

To ensure working bookmarks and favorites for this web site, please follow the instructions below:

Windows users with Internet Explorer may right-click on ERB eCTP and choose "Add to Favorites...". Then, choose the location in which to create the favorite and click "Add".

Mac OS X users with Safari may hold down the "Control" key and click on ERB eCTP (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.

Can I test students on desktops running under VMWare or other virtual machines?

No. The software will explicitly detect and block the starting of tests on virtual machines. This is done to ensure that students do not have the ability to switch from the virtual desktop window back into the host operating system, allowing the student to use email, browsers, or instant messaging. If your virtual machine environment is running on a hypervisor and can ensure that the student is not able to switch back to the host environment, contact support for information about a version of the secure browser that works on virtual machines.

Technical Support

If you are having trouble accessing the sample test or operational test, please run the "System Check" to ensure your computer is configured properly. Below is a list of the possible problems and the steps to resolve them.

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.

1. Check to see if you can access other sites over the Internet to make sure that your Internet connection is functioning properly.
2. Run the System Check to ensure your computer meets system requirements and is configured properly.
3. Check to make sure that your operating system and web browser meet the minimum system requirements listed in this document.
4. Check to make sure that your pop-up blocker programs are configured to allow pop-ups from the "starttest.com” site as described in this document.
5. Check to make sure that cookies are enabled on your system as described in this document.
6. Check to make sure that your browser caching settings automatically check for a new version of a page every time you visit a page as described in this document.
7. 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 district technical support staff to check these settings).

If you have checked all of these possible issues and you still receive the "Page not found" error, please have your school or district technical support staff contact our technical support for further assistance.

All of the navigation buttons are not appearing or the test is locking up.

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 operating system. 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 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?

If you cannot find an answer, please contact technical support at 1-866-881-2802 or eCTP@ets.org 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:

Macintosh Computers:

All Computers Used for Sample Tests: