COMPASS Internet Version Technical Specifications

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COMPASS

®

Internet Version Technical Specifications

Hardware requirements for Testing Computer Workstations:

• 350 MHz Pentium II (500 MHz Pentium II or faster is recommended.) • Minimum Memory Requirements:

o 128 MB RAM for Windows® 2000, and Windows® XP

o 300 MB of free hard disk space • Recommended Memory Requirements:

o 256 MB RAM for Windows® 2000 and Windows® XP

o 600 MB or more free hard disk space

• Sound card and headphones with in-line volume control required if ESL testing option is to be used • 8 MB (minimum) video card

• Video card must be capable of displaying 800 x 600 resolution with 16-bit high color • Monitor – 15" SVGA 800 x 600 with 16 bit color depth

• 10/100 Mbps Ethernet card

• Display must be set to 800 x 600 resolution (mandatory) The following operating systems are supported:

• Windows® 2000 with the latest Service Packs • Windows® XP with the latest Service Packs

NOTE: Macintosh or the Win95 Macintosh emulation, Windows® 95, or the original Windows® 98 are not supported by ACT for COMPASS Internet Version. Windows NT® is supported for administrative use only. NT is not supported for use as a testing workstation.

Special note for Windows® XP sites: Please advise all test center proctors that students are not permitted to connect a USB flash drive to any Windows® XP workstation while the test is being administered as this may allow an examinee to access the Internet.

User permissions and settings:

The workstation setup process requires a login that has a minimum of Power User rights. Other user rights requirements are defined in the tables below.

Install COMPASS Setup for All Users Install COMPASS Setup Run Test Launcher

Administrator X X X Power User X X User X Download ActiveX Control (Initial) ActiveX Controls (Updates)

Run, Validate, and Download*

(No Item Updates)

Update Items with Validate and Download*

Administrator X X X X

Power User X X X X

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*NOTE: Updating Items will fail if the user does not have read, write, and modify rights on the Item folder. The following Internet browser versions are supported:

• Internet Explorer 6.0 (with or without Service Pack 1) and above NOTE: Netscape is not supported by ACT for COMPASS Internet Version. Browser Settings:

NOTE: Refer to the Supplemental Guide for XP Service Pack if you are running Windows XP • Download signed ActiveX controls (Minimum: set to prompt)

• Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins (Minimum: set to prompt)

• Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting (Minimum: set to prompt) 1. Click on the Tools option in the Internet Explorer menu bar. 2. From the drop-down menu, click "Internet Options".

3. Select the Security tab. Under the "Custom" heading, click the Custom Level button.

4. Click the radio buttons to enable or prompt for the listed ActiveX settings if they have not been set already.

5. Click OK to save your settings, and click OK to exit the "Tools" menu. • Check for newer versions of stored pages set to "automatically"

1. Click on the Tools option in the Internet Explorer menu bar. 2. From the drop-down menu, click "Internet Options".

3. Select the General tab. Under the "Temporary Internet Files" heading, click the Settings button. 4. Click the radio button for "Automatically" if it has not been selected already.

5. Click OK to save your settings, and click OK to exit the Tools menu.

• Text Size setting for Internet Explorer (under the View menu) needs to be set at "Medium". Additional Software Required:

• Java 1.5 or above

• Windows Media Player 9.0 or above Network Settings:

Participant must provide high-speed (dedicated T1 or above) network access to the Public Internet for the Testing Workstations, and must be capable of supporting a continuous minimum data transfer rate of 500 kbps (kilobits per second) per 25 workstations or approximately 40 kbps per workstation.

For testing environments with more than 15 workstations, please refer to the chart below to help identify the minimum necessary continuous data transfer rates.

Average number of testing workstations Average Response (kbytes) Bandwidth Requested (Kbits)

15 40 kbps 500 continuous Kbits preferred

NOTE: Campus-based bandwidth speed and actual testing performance are highly related to each other and must be optimized for best results. COMPASS Internet Version performance (such as the time between screen presentations, or refreshing) can be negatively impacted by a high volume of campus-based network traffic and/or other factors that may divert true bandwidth from the testing environment.

LAN/PORTS Settings:

COMPASS Internet Version campuses must provide testing workstations configured to operate on the LAN using TCP/IP protocol, with access to Public Internet websites.

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COMPASS

®

Internet Version Technical Checklist

ACT recommends reviewing this guide prior to installing COMPASS® on multiple workstations. This information is also useful when experiencing slow system response or other difficulties.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Browser Settings

• Other Settings/Rights/Updates • Trace Routes

• NSLOOKUP

• Imaging Workstations (e.g., Ghost™)

• Network Caching

• Disk Protection (e.g., Deepfreeze®) • Other Possible Concerns

• Customer-Specific Settings Browser Settings

Ensure that cookies are enabled

• In IE, navigate to Tools > Internet Options > Privacy > Advanced.

• Verify that Override Automatic Cookie Handling is NOT checked. This will allow cookies to function appropriately

Download signed ActiveX controls (Minimum: set to prompt)

This will prompt you to install each ActiveX control required by the COMPASS administration and test delivery system. The ActiveX controls provide client-side functionality to allow for such features as recording of student responses and saving reports to the workstation.

• In IE, navigate to Tools > Internet Options > Security > Custom Level. Click the radio button for "Enable" or "prompt".

Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins (Minimum: set to prompt)

The ActiveX controls must be allowed to run in the browser in order for COMPASS to perform correctly. • In IE, navigate to Tools > Internet Options > Security > Custom Level. Click the "Enable" or "Prompt"

radio button to run ActiveX controls.

Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting (Minimum: set to prompt)

The ActiveX controls must be allowed to run in the browser in order to perform functions such as saving student responses.

• In IE, navigate to Tools > Internet Options > Security > Custom Level. Click the "Enable" or "Prompt" radio button to script ActiveX controls.

Set IE to check for newer versions of stored pages "automatically"

• In IE, navigate to Tools > Internet Options > General > Temporary Internet Files > Settings. Check that the text size setting is set to "Medium"

This ensures that the test items will display correctly.

• In IE, this is accessible under the View > Text Size menu. Enable *.ACT.ORG as a Trusted Site

• This ensures that all communication will flow uninterrupted between the ACT site and the testing workstation.

• For detailed instructions, please review the Supplemental Guide for XP Service Pack. Other Settings/Rights/Updates

• Verify that the text size on the video adaptor is set to 96 dpi, and that screen resolution is set to 800 x 600. • The Workstation Setup process requires that the operator have Power User or Administrator rights. • Verify the most recent (major) Microsoft Windows updates have been downloaded to the testing

workstations. Trace Routes

If there is a need to run a trace route, verify that there is not an excessive number of hops or significant response times. Expect to see a response time of less than 300 milliseconds. Longer network response times indicate a higher likelihood of data communication failures.

When performing a trace route, use the host listed below. 151.148.20.20

This will verify connection to the appropriate servers, and that the network is resolving DNS correctly. If the trace route is not resolved, verify connection with a known website (e.g., www.yahoo.com). NSLOOKUP

• Verify that the NSLOOKUP utility can resolve an IP address for 151.148.20.20. If it cannot, attempt to resolve a more common network address website (e.g., www.yahoo.com).

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• Certain network and workstation settings have been found to prevent names from being resolved at the testing workstations. This may be a symptom of inherent network problems at the site that will slow or otherwise hinder the testing experience.

• The NSLOOKUP utility can be accessed through Start > Run > (Enter the word "Command"). This opens a system command window where the text "NSLOOKUP 151.148.20.20" (without the quotes) can be entered at the command line.

• When this command is run, an IP address should be displayed, which means the workstation is resolving IP addresses correctly. However, if no IP address is displayed, then DNS/other network settings may need to be corrected on the network. This situation should be addressed by a qualified network technician at the site.

Imaging Workstations (e.g., Ghost™)

If you have set up your workstations using a common image, it is extremely important that you follow up by assigning a unique Media Access Control (MAC) address to each workstation. Follow the steps below to image PCs and assign individual MAC addresses.

• To prepare for imaging, follow the steps for downloading COMPASS below. You will download the secure browser and the test files via the Internet to the PC from which you are planning to image.

• The default download location is C:\Program Files\ACT\COMPASSESL Internet Version Setup. You may choose another download location instead, if you wish.

• Image the remaining PCs.

• Finally, for each imaged workstation, repeat steps 1, 3, and 4 below to assign a unique MAC address to each. Register the MAC address in Step 1 and select "Do not download anything" in Step 3.

Step 1

• Navigate to http://compass.act.org/eCompass and enter your staff ID/password. Click the Workstation Setup button to begin.

• Select the "Register" radio button.

• Click Get MAC Address. This will automatically find and insert the workstation's MAC address, which will uniquely identify the computer workstation.

Step 2

If your machine is not already equipped with Java Virtual Machine (for e-Write™ tests) or Windows Media Player (for administering ESL tests and online test instructions), you may download and install them from the Workstation Setup page by clicking the corresponding links in Step 2.

Step 3

There are three options presented in Step 3. You must select a radio button next to one of the following options:

• Test Launcher & COMPASS files

• Test Launcher & COMPASS files plus all ESL files • Do not download anything

Step 4

Once you have selected a download option, click OK. When you are downloading the setup file, you must leave the computer on and stay connected to the Internet until the download is complete.

Network Caching

• Turn off all caching (except browser caching) for compass.act.org and ysecompass.act.org. • Caching to be turned off includes proxy servers.

Disk Protection (e.g., Deepfreeze™)

• COMPASS updates must be allowed in order to keep the testing systems current. Disk protection software must be configured to allow for these updates as required.

• If there are automatic updates the COMPASS system, but disk protection is not temporarily disabled on the testing workstation, the update process must be repeated each time the system is restarted. This can be detrimental to the overall testing experience. The re-imaging process (e.g., Ghost™) is one way to distribute updates to testing workstations, but is not recommended.

Other Possible Concerns

• Content filters: Some filter settings may cause conflicts with COMPASS. Verify that your filter allows all communication from compass.act.org and ysecompass.act.org.

• Firewall: Verify that standard ports 443 and 80 are available for use.

• Throughput: There are various utilities available that test Internet throughput speed. Verify that speed and available bandwidth meet industry standards.

• Microsoft Synchronize: Verify that this utility is not set up to perform regular updates of offline webpages. These updates could occur during the test event and affect COMPASS performance.

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• Verify that no other utilities or services are accessing the Internet on a regular basis (e.g., Weatherbug™, etc.).

• Verify that no utilities capable of producing pop-up windows during the test session are running (e.g., MSN Messenger, Microsoft anti-spyware utilities). Pop-up windows can interfere with testing in the secure testing environment.

Customer-Specific Settings

• Gateway address: A customer site was unable to resolve network NSLOOKUP addresses to ACT. When examined, it was found that two gateway addresses on the customer network were listed under TCP/IP network settings > Advanced. One of these addresses was a local IP address while the second was an IP address outside the customer's firewall. Reversing the order of these addresses on the DNS server and workstations resolved the concern.

• Proxy server setting: A customer site had an incorrect proxy server setting on some workstations in the lab. This caused network traffic to be routed to several unnecessary locations and therefore slowed the testing experience. The setting can be found in Internet Explorer via the Tools menu > Internet Options > Connections.

• Local admin login: Some customers highly recommend that tests be administered from local administrator accounts on testing workstations, rather than from user accounts on the network server.

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COMPASS

®

Internet Version Workstation Setup and

Installation Guide

Part A. How to access the COMPASS Internet Administrator System

The initial "Welcome" email provided to a licensed site contains the URL, Staff ID, and password required for administrative access to COMPASS Internet Version.

To Log In:

1. On the Internet, go to the URL provided in the email.

2. Bookmark this page. This is the COMPASS Internet Version login page.

3. You must log in as an Administrator to create user accounts before administering tests. This account has been configured with full administrator rights.

4. In order to access COMPASS, use the Staff ID and Password provided in the email. 5. Click Login!

6. Immediately after logging in, you will be required to change your password. Be sure to make a copy of your password and keep your Staff ID and Password confidential.

7. Next, you will be asked to enter key information to identify your Campus and Campus staff.

8. After you log in as the administrator, you may create staff accounts, access administrative functions, set up and administer tests, and purchase additional test units.

Part B. Initial Setup for Test Delivery Workstations

You must download the Test Launcher and COMPASS files (ESL files are optional) at least one time, and the files must be installed on each workstation before you can use the workstation to administer tests. Because the download can be a long process, installing on many different workstations can be time consuming.

After initial download, you may:

• Save the file to the network and run the .exe from the network to install the Test Launcher and COMPASS files on each workstation.

• Save the file to the network or hard drive, burn the file to a CD, and then run the .exe from the CD to install the Test Launcher and COMPASS files on each workstation.

Otherwise, you will need to save the file to the hard drive of each workstation and run the .exe file on each individual workstation.

Downloading the Test Launcher

You must go to the Workstation Setup page for every workstation, regardless of which option you choose.

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1. On the Workstation Setup page, you must register your workstation before you can administer tests. Select the radio button next to "Register". (See figure 1.)

Click Get MAC Address, which will automatically find and insert the workstation's MAC Address. This unique number is used to identify the computer workstation.

2. If your machine is not already equipped with Java Virtual Machine (used for all e-Write tests) and Windows® Media Player (used for administering all ESL tests and online test instructions), you may download and install them from this page by clicking the appropriate link(s). (See figure 1 above.)

Fig. 2, Workstation setup page, steps 3 & 4

3. You will have the option to download the Test Launcher and COMPASS files, with or without the ESL files. (See figure 2.)

There are three options presented on the Workstation Setup page. You must select a radio button next to one of the following options:

o Test Launcher & COMPASS files

o Test Launcher & COMPASS files plus all ESL files

o Do not download anything

• If you are setting up your first workstation and wish to save the downloaded files to a network and/or hard drive to install on each subsequent workstation, choose one of the download options with or without the optional ESL files.

• If you do not plan to install from a network or CD, and instead wish to install the files from the workstation hard drive, choose one of the download options with or without the optional ESL files.

• If you have already downloaded the Test Launcher and COMPASS files to your network, and/or have burned the files on a CD to install on other workstations, choose "Do not download anything." • If you are unregistering your workstation choose "Do not download anything."

4. Once you have selected a download option, click OK. (See figure 2 above.)

When you are downloading the setup file, you must leave the computer on and connected to the Internet until the download is complete. Once the download is complete, return to the Login page.

Individual Workstation Setup

1. To complete Workstation Setup, go to the workstation you would like to set up. Using Windows Explorer, find the location of the downloaded file, COMPASSInternetVersion.exe (whether it is on CD, hard drive, or network), and double-click on it to begin.

The .exe will open the InstallShield® Wizard which will guide you through installing the necessary files to your workstation.

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2. Once the Wizard is prepared, the Welcome page of the installation setup process will display. Read the information and click Next.

Fig. 4, Installation Setup Welcome

3. The Choose Destination Location page will display. You may use the default location or select one of your own by clicking the Browse button.

Fig. 5, Choose Destination Location

4. Once you have the Destination Folder set, click Next to begin the installation process. A progress bar will mark the status of the installation process.

5. When the installation is finished, click Finish on the Setup Complete page. 6. Reboot your computer workstation.

7. To launch tests using the workstation's lock-down browser, locate and double-click the Test Launcher icon on the workstation desktop to load the test launcher.

8. Log in, using a staff account set up with rights to launch a test, and select the test package you wish to administer.

o To exit the Test Launcher's lock-down browser mode, select CTRL-ALT-Q any time after selecting a test package or launching a test. Choose Exit to close the test launcher or choose Home to return to the workstation's login screen.

NOTE: Sites using products like Deep Freeze or Centurion Guard may require additional Setup Steps.

Part C. Contact Information

ACT is pleased to provide ongoing support to ensure the effective use of COMPASS by your institution. For questions about COMPASS services, contact the appropriate resource person.

COMPASS Service and Resource to Call:

For this service: Please contact:

Ordering units, questions, or changes to site status and information, license renewal and cancellation

Customer Services ACT Technology Center 800/645-1992

(8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m eastern time, M–F) Help with installation, launch, and browser issues ACT Help Desk

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ACT Technology Center 800/645-1992

(available 24 hours/seven days a week) Participate in ACT's research services (Entering Student Descriptive

Report, Returning Student Retention Report, Course Placement Service, Underprepared Student Follow-up Report, etc.)

COMPASS Research Services ACT National Office 319/339-3089

(8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. central time, M–F)

Billing questions ACT Accounts Receivable

ACT National Office 319/337-1150

(8:30 a.m.–5:00 PM central time, M–F) Implementation ideas, training, questions about operational features or

content-related issues

ACT Regional Office (varies by region)

ACT Educational Services, Regional Offices

Postsecondary/Business Staff Supporting ASSET, COMPASS, and ESL Users

East Region Southwest Region

(CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT) (AR, LA, NM, OK, TX) 4 Pine West Plaza

Suite 403 Albany, NY 12205-5564 Telephone: 518/869-7378 8303 MoPac Expressway N. Suite A-110 Austin, TX 78759-8369 Telephone: 512/345-1949

(AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA) 3355 Lenox Road, N.E., Suite 320 Atlanta, GA 30326-1332 Telephone: 404/231-1952

Midwest Region West Region

(IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, MO, OH, WI, WV) (AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, KS, MT, NE, ND, NV, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY)

300 Knightsbridge Pkwy, Suite 300 Lincolnshire, IL 60069-9498 Telephone: 847/634-2560

2880 Sunrise Blvd., Suite 214 Rancho Cordova, CA 95742-6549 Telephone: 916/631-9200

Part D. Technical Support

ACT offers free technical support via a toll-free telephone number or email. Support is extended to any currently licensed user with the most recent version of the software installed.

When requesting technical assistance, it is important to have the program version, browser version, and operating system information, and a detailed description of the problem.

The Help Desk staff is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to answer your call.

ACT's Help Desk staff is ready to assist with the installation of the software on a computer that conforms to the system requirements listed in the technical specifications. The staff does not have the appropriate information to help clients with problems they may have with issues relating to local networking, other programs also operating on their computer or issues related to a site's Internet Service Provider. ACT disclaims responsibility for the

installation, maintenance, or resolution of problems related to any programs other than ACT software.

If you require assistance other than technical support, please contact the appropriate COMPASS service resource which is listed in the table above.

Contacting ACT Help Desk for Technical Support

If you need technical assistance, please use the Contact Us form located in the online help to send an email directly to the ACT Help Desk staff. The Help Desk staff will respond in a timely manner to your request in the order it is received.

1. To access the online help, click the ? button on the right side of the navigation bar at any time after you log into the administrative side of the program. A separate window will open, displaying the help topic related to the section of the program you are currently in.

2. At the top of the help window, click the link "Show" to display the Table of Contents. You will find the Contact Us page listed near the end of the Table of Contents.

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4. Fill in all of the fields. Be sure to provide a valid email address and describe the problem in as much detail as you can.

5. Click the Submit button to submit the completed form to the ACT Help Desk.

If you are unable to access the online help form or you need to contact the ACT Help Desk staff directly, they can be reached at 1-800-645-1992, or you can send an email to [email protected].

Technical Support via Email

Technical Support via email is designed as an alternative to the 800 hotline. It may be more useful to use email for less critical problems or if you have a schedule that makes telephone support more difficult. This is intended only as an augmentation of, and in no way diminishes, our telephone support.

To send a message via email to the ACT Help Desk, please follow these specifications. This service is to be used only for technical problems with the software, such as installation or error messages.

The Help Desk staff will respond in a timely manner to your emailed request in the order it is received.

If you require assistance other than technical support, please contact the appropriate COMPASS service resource that are listed in the table above.

To send an email to the ACT Help Desk: 1. Address email to [email protected].

2. Include the complete product name and version in the subject line of the email. For example: COMPASS Internet Version

3. The body of the email should contain the following information:

o Your name and title.

o The school's name.

o Your phone number and hours you can be reached.

o Your email address.

o A complete description of the problem.

If reporting an error message, it is extremely important to include the entire message you received. It is also helpful to describe the specific steps that you took when the problem occurred.

It is also helpful to the support staff if you include your site ID whenever possible.

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COMPASS

®

Internet Version Supplemental Guide for

Windows® XP Service Pack 2

To Be Applied Before Setting Up Individual Computers for Use With COMPASS Internet Version

Windows® XP users that have activated COMPASS Internet and set up all testing workstations BEFORE application of Service Pack 2 (SP2) will generally not need to apply the steps outlined in this document. These procedures will only be necessary when additional computers running Windows® XP with SP2 already applied are to be activated for use with the COMPASS Internet system.

NOTE: User must have XP Administrative rights for each computer to carry out the steps outlined below.

Users who are running COMPASS for Internet on a Windows® XP platform and have installed SP2 may have some difficulty with security controls or additional security screens when they attempt to log in and download the lock-down browser.

This guide is divided into four parts and is designed to help you navigate the various pop-up messages you may receive from Windows® XP. This will ensure that you are able to download all of the correct support files.

Part A. General Windows® XP Security Settings • Firewall Options Settings

• Internet Options Settings • ActiveX Settings

Part B. Specific Windows® XP Internet Options Settings for Use with COMPASS Internet Initial Login and Workstation Setup Instructions

Follow Option 1 -OR- Option 2 below

• Option 1: Allow *.act.org as a Trusted Site

o Initial Login Instructions for Option 1

o Testing Workstation Setup Instructions for Option 1

o Downloading the Test Launcher (See Part C)

• Option 2: Modify ActiveX Security Settings/*.act.org has not been set as a trusted site

o Initial Login Instructions for Option 2

o Testing Workstation Setup Instructions for Option 2

o Downloading the Test Launcher (See Part C)

Part C. Downloading the Test Launcher

Required for each testing workstation for either Option 1 or Option 2

Part D. Additional Help

• Other Help Documentation and Resources • ACT Help Desk Information

Part A. General Windows® XP Security Settings

These workstation setup and download procedures were tested on the Windows® XP platform with SP2 installed. NOTE: All of the default, standard security settings were in place, and the user had administrative rights to the machine.

Shown in this section of the guide are the initial, standard, default settings for Windows® XP and instructions how to modify or verify yours.

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2. Click to open the Control Panel.

3. Find the icon for the Security Center and click it to open the Security Essentials menu.

Firewall Options Settings

1. From the Security Essentials page, click on "Windows Firewall."

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3. Click "OK" to accept these settings and return to the Security Essentials page. Internet Options Settings

There are two options available to help you navigate through the security warnings that pop up during the initial login process and workstation setup on a Windows® XP with SP2 platform.

The first and easiest option (Option 1) requires that you set the workstation's Internet settings to allow *.act.org as a trusted site before logging in and starting your workstation setup. With the exception of the Test Launcher and/or ESL files, all additional support files and components that COMPASS Internet Version needs to install on the workstation will be downloaded automatically.

Option 2 requires that you set your workstation's ActiveX controls (at minimum) to "prompt." During initial login and workstation setup, you will be required to download and install the individual support files one at a time. A Windows® XP security prompt will warn you each time COMPASS is attempting to install a file on your workstation.

You can access your Internet Options settings on the Security Essentials menu. As described above in the Firewall Options Settings, you can find the Security Essentials page by clicking START > Control Panel > Security Center.

ActiveX Settings

During use, a pop-up message, similar to the one in the following graphic may appear.

This is Windows® XP informing you that additional information is located in the bar at the top of the screen. If you check the box next to "Do not show this message again" this pop-up box will not display again. (If you do not want to disable this pop-up box, do not check the box.)

1. Click OK to close the pop-up message.

2. Note the XP prompt that appears at the top of the screen in the information bar. Click your cursor on the information bar to view a drop-down menu of options available to you.

3. Click on the option to "Install ActiveX Control" to install the necessary utility file from ACT.

4. An XP Security Warning pop-up will display, asking you to verify whether or not you want to install this file.

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NOTE: Windows® XP will attempt to warn you each time COMPASS is required to install a file on your workstation. There are several files, similar to the one shown in these examples.

5. To expedite the download process so that you do not have to install each file individually, ACT

recommends that you click the down-arrow button next to "More options" to display additional commands. 6. Click the radio button next to "Always install software from ACT Inc".

NOTE: Any time you are prompted to download software, setting your workstation to "Always install software from ACT" will prevent many of those messages from appearing and will help speed up the process for setting up your site and workstation.

7. Click the Install button to continue.

Part B. Specific Windows® XP Internet Options Settings for Use with COMPASS Internet Initial Login and Workstation Setup Instructions

(Follow Option 1 OR Option 2 below.)

NOTE: Depending on your individual workstation settings, additional pop-up messages may occur throughout this process. These may include dialog boxes that verify whether you want to turn on Auto-Complete, remember passwords, re-send information by refreshing the page, warn you that you are transmitting information to the Internet, etc. These are standard XP and Internet Explorer messages.

Option 1: Allow *.act.org as a Trusted Site

If you choose the first option, allowing ACT as a trusted site, the following steps will describe how to modify your Trusted Sites settings. If you do not wish to set ACT as a trusted site, skip to the section, Option 2: Modify ActiveX Security Settings.

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2. Using the Internet Properties box, click the Security tab in the top menu bar. Then click to highlight "Trusted Sites."

3. Then, click the Sites button.

4. This will open the "Trusted sites" dialog box, as shown below.

5. Click to REMOVE the checkbox next to "Require server verification" or leave it unchecked if it is not marked. 6. Enter *.act.org in the first field and click Add to include act.org in your list of trusted sites.

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8. Click >OK to accept these settings and to return to the Internet Properties menu.

NOTE: If you have changed the information or Internet settings, XP will warn you that you are about to change the security settings. Click YES to continue with your workstation setup.

9. Click OK on the Internet Properties menu to return to the Security Essentials page and begin the initial login and/or workstation setup process.

Now you are ready to begin the workstation setup and download procedure with *.act.org set as a trusted site.

Initial Login Instructions for Option 1

You must have at least one Test Center set up before you can complete the workstation setup. 1. Enter the COMPASS website address in the browser's address bar.

2. At the login screen, enter the campus staff ID and user password. Click Login!

Note: This information was included in the welcome email that was sent to the Campus Coordinator when the site's account was first created.

• If you have not logged in before, you will be taken through the Test Center wizard to create your first test center.

• If you need to create additional test centers before setting up the workstations, proceed to the Sites tab, and click New Test Center… to set up your new test center(s).

Testing Workstation Setup Instructions for Option 1

Once you have created the Test Center(s) you wish to use, return to the login screen to continue with the workstation setup and finish the file download process.

1. If you are not already on the login screen, enter the COMPASS website address in the browser's address bar. 2. At the login screen, enter the staff ID and user password for the Test Center your workstation will belong to. Note: This information was included in the welcome email that was sent to the Test Center Coordinator when the Test Center was first created, or to other authorized staff when the user account was created.

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4. Complete the four steps for the workstation setup. 5. Click OK to proceed.

If you have marked your selection in Step 3 of the workstation setup to download the "Test Launcher & COMPASS files" (with or without the ESL files), skip to Part C. Downloading the Test Launcher to complete the final step of the workstation setup.

Option 2: Modify ActiveX Security Settings (*.act.org has NOT been set as a Trusted Site)

If you do not have the access rights or your site does not wish to change the Trusted Sites settings, Windows® XP security prompts will warn you each time you need to download and install the individual support files one at a time. If you wish to set ACT as a Trusted Site, go back to Option 1.

Before you start the workstation setup, you will need to verify that your Internet security settings for ActiveX controls are set correctly to ensure that you will be able to download and install the necessary files for COMPASS. 1. Go to the "Security Essentials" page by clicking START > Control Panel > Security Center>.

2. From the Security Essentials page, click on "Internet Options."

3. Using the Internet Properties box, click the Security tab in the top menu bar. Then click to highlight "Internet." 4. Next, click on the Custom Level button to review your specific Internet settings.

5. This will open the Security Settings dialog box, as shown below. Scroll to view the ActiveX control settings. 6. Verify that the minimum settings for "Download signed ActiveX controls" and "Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins" are set to "Prompt."

7. Click OK to accept these settings and to return to the Internet Properties menu.

8. Click OK on the Internet Properties menu to return to the Security Essentials page and begin the initial login and/or workstation setup process.

9. Now you are ready to begin the workstation setup and download procedure.

Initial Login Instructions for Option 2

You must have at least one Test Center set up before you can complete the workstation setup. 1. Enter the COMPASS website in the browser's address bar.

2. At the login screen, enter the campus staff ID and user password. Click Login! (This information was included in the welcome email that was sent to the Campus Coordinator when the site's account was first created.)

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• If you have not logged in before, you will be taken through the Test Center wizard to create your first test center.

• If you need to create additional test centers before setting up the workstations, proceed to the Sites tab, and click "New Test Center…" to set up your new test center(s).

Testing Workstation Setup Instructions for Option 2

Once you have created your Test Center, return to the Login screen to continue with the workstation setup and finish the file download process.

1. If you are not already on the login screen, enter the COMPASS website in the browser's address bar. 2. At the login screen, enter the staff ID and user password for the Test Center your workstation will belong to. NOTE: This information was included in the welcome email that was sent to the Test Center Coordinator when the Test Center was first created, or to other authorized staff when the user account was created.

3. Instead of clicking Login!, click Workstation Setup as shown in the following example:

4. Before you begin selecting the workstation setup information, please notice whether there is a prompt or alert located in the information bar at the top.

If this is the first time you have logged in on this computer or you did not set the XP security prompt to "Always install software from ACT," you may receive a message similar to the one shown in the following example.

Click the information bar to display the pop-up menu and click the option to "Install ActiveX Control…" Follow the download prompts and install the file.

As described earlier in this document, it is recommended that you use the More options button with the option to install all files from ACT automatically so that you do not have to install each support file individually.

5. Once you have downloaded the ActiveX controls and there are no prompts for you in the information bar, complete the four steps for the workstation setup.

6. Click OK to proceed.

7. If you have marked your selection in Step 3 of the workstation setup to download the Test Launcher and COMPASS files (with or without the ESL files), Windows® XP security will once again try to block you from downloading this file.

8. As shown below, click the information bar to view the list of options available to you.

9. Click "Download file…" to begin the download process.

Continue to Part C. Downloading the Test Launcher to complete the final step of the workstation setup.

Part C. Downloading the Test Launcher

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Whichever option you chose (i.e., Option 1 to allow *.act.org as a Trusted Site or Option 2, to download the individual components) the last step in setting up your workstation and preparing it to administer tests is to download the test launcher.

1. Once you have chosen to download the COMPASSInternetVersion.exe file, a Windows® XP security warning message will pop up. Decide whether or not you want to run or save the EXE file you have chosen to download.

2. Click Run to download and run the file immediately or Save to download and save the file to a local or network directory.

3. During the download process, a progress bar will display so you can track approximately how long your download will take.

4. If you chose to Run the workstation setup EXE file once the download is complete, another security warning message will display, asking you to verify whether or not you wish to run the program you have just downloaded.

Click Run to continue your workstation setup.

5. If you chose to Save the workstation setup EXE file, you will have the opportunity to run it immediately after the download has completed.

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Click Run to continue your workstation setup.

NOTE: You may then run the saved file on other computers if you are setting up additional workstations. Please refer to the Workstation Setup and Installation Guide or the online help system if you need further assistance. 6. Once the download is complete, please use the link at the top of your screen to return to the Login screen.

7. The Test Launcher icon should appear on your workstation desktop and program manager.

Your workstation setup is complete. Use the Test Launcher icon to administer tests from this workstation.

Part D. Additional Help

For security purposes, ACT recommends that you do NOT use the password or Web form auto-complete features for the COMPASS Internet Version.

In cases where you are asked to re-send the information, as shown in this example, click Retry to continue using the program.

Other Help Documentation and Resources

For help with all other COMPASS Internet Version functions, setup, and general use, please see the online help system by clicking the question mark icon located on all administrative pages.

Also review the Workstation Setup and Installation Guide. ACT Help Desk Information

If you need technical assistance, please use the Contact Us form located in the online help to send an email directly to the ACT Help Desk staff. The Help Desk staff will respond in a timely manner to your request in the order it is received.

If you are unable to access the online help form or you need to contact the ACT Help Desk staff directly, they can be reached at 1-800-645-1992, or you can send an email to [email protected].