NYSEd CBT Webpage NYSEd CBT Support
Are there online CBT practice tests for students?
Yes, there are online practice tests, called "Samplers," available for students, teachers, and parents to use in every subject/grade level. The practice tests are comprised of pre-released NYS test questions. Constructed response questions, where the student must type their answer to respond, are typically the last 2-3 questions in each sampler.
Practice tests are available via the online Question Samplers:
3 Samplers per subject/grade
3 Samplers per student testing accommodation:
Text-to-Speech
Reverse Contrast
Background Color
Answer Masking
Initial Zoom
3 Samplers per translated language (Chinese Traditional, Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, Spanish)
Note: the online Question Sampler only works in the Chrome browser as this environment most closely resembles the operational test system (the Nextera Test Delivery System).
How do the students access the test?
Students DO NOT LOG ON to their Chromebooks. From the log-on screen, students click the apps icon (waffle) in the lower-left corner and from the menu, they choose the Questar logo (see image on left).
Make sure student Chromebooks are fully charged and ready to go.
Check battery percentage of CB before students start tests. Don’t give a student a CB with very low battery life. If they must use that Chromebook, have that Chromebook plugged in so it does not die during the test.
If possible, have at least one extra Chromebook handy "just in case".
Every teacher gets their own ACCESS code… this is a 4 digit code that students are required to enter before the test loads
PROCTOR code is only for students who pause the test, sign out before submitting or have connection issues that require the assistance of a teacher. The proctor code is a longer code that should be kept secure - it is NOT to be given out to students.
Be sure that it says “New York State” on the login screen. If it does not have the words New York, it will not load accurately.
If a teacher’s name is missing, that is ok. Not all are loaded by teacher.
If a student’s name is misspelled or DOB is not accurate, just make note of it and it can be fixed later.
If a student’s GRADE is wrong, discontinue as this will load the WRONG test.
If a student’s Chromebook is “offline”, their responses to the test are still being saved on the
Chromebook. However, that device needs to be used to log the student back in for test submission. It is okay to power down the Chromebook and restart if the wifi is not connecting. Then, open up the app again and sign the student in. Even though the test will say “start test”, if you click the review button, it should accurately show the student’s progress.
Students can change Chromebooks mid-test. If a Chromebook suddenly loses connection (to the app - white screen, NOT just offline) or power, they can log on to another Chromebook. Their answers are being constantly updated (submitted) during the test. If a new Chromebook is needed, students can log on The PROCTOR code will be required, and then resume the test where they left off. Some information may be lost depending on the last time that the program auto-updated the student's progress. However, the majority of student data should transfer as the computer is constantly updating.
Highlighter and typing - the highlighter tool overrides the keyboard. So, if students highlight the text, they have to turn the highlighter off before typing (or answering multiple choice). It will appear as if they can click in the text box but the cursor will disappear.
Copy/Paste - Students CAN use keyboard shortcuts ctrl-c and ctrl-v to copy and paste evidence from stories into their notes or text boxes. This can also be used to copy/paste parts of the question. This would need to be taught earlier in the school year and practiced, much like using RAPS to answer questions. That way, students not only know HOW to do this but WHY to do this and WHAT they would need to do to make their answers grammatically correct.
If a student can’t open up the test, it might be because he or she clicked the test before the Chromebook had fully booted up. Restart and make sure the student sees the Google log in page (then we will know it’s fully started up) and then have the student try to start the test.
If Chromebook freezes during the test, you have to push and hold the power button until the Chromebook will turn off. Turn the Chromebook back on, and have the student log back in to continue the test.