TECHNICAL QUESTIONS
Can I use device X to test my kids?
Head over to the Testing Station Questions page to get these questions answered.
How much bandwidth do I need to test my kids?
Head over to the Internet and Network Questions page to get these questions answered.
I heard that USB headphones are required for the Field Test - is that true?
Not according to the technical requirements document provided by SBAC (pp 17-18). Standard 7/8" mini-RCA headphones are acceptable. META members conducting practice tests have had success with both USB and non-USB headphones. If you are buying new headphones, purchasing one with built-in volume controls may make testing easier.
Do I need Microphones on my Headphones?
Not according to the technical requirements document provided by SBAC (pp 17-18). At this time it is not assumed that microphones will be required for either the field test or the 2014-2015 testing window. META believes that this may be one of the requirements that is changed in the future to support fluency or other ELA tests, so if you are buying new headphones, it may be wise to buy those that include a microphone (just in case they become required in the future).
Are Keyboards required for tablets and iPads?
Yes, keyboards are mandatory. Bluetooth keyboards are allowed as well as keyboards that plug into the tablet.
My Macintosh running Maverick operating system won't run the secure browser.
Go to this link to subscribe.
Our Chromebooks get errors when running the secure browser.
Check to see if offline mail is enabled. Log onto the admin console, select Google Apps - Gmail - Advanced Settings - choose "Students" under the OU menu, then disable "Enable Offline Gmail for my users".
A Chromebook won't go into Kiosk Mode.
To fix this problem, wipe out the Chromebook which restores factory settings using the instructions in this link.
The Chromebook will have to be re-enrolled into the enterprise. Those instructions are here.
Then continue with the directions for setting up the Chromebook for the Field Test.
When starting the Field Test, the Text to Speech Test does not produce Sound.
It has been reported that the Text to Speech test in the Field Test does not work. However, when taking the test, the Text to Speech for the questions does work. It is just the test of Text to Speech that does not work.
According to SBAC, to enable text to speech on a question, right click beside the question. On a Macintosh without a right click button, press down the Control button and Click the mouse at the same time.
Julie won't save as the default voice pack on Windows computers.
Find and edit the sapi.cpl file and change Anna to the Julie Voice Pack. If you do this for each user it will remember the setting. There isn't a way to set the default in the control panel. NOTE: This is only a problem for Win 7 64 bit OS. All other Windows OS allows this change to be done in the control panel.
I get an error message "Satellite Error" when launching the TA module.
This error occurs if you have not used the SBAC Smart Browser to start the Field Test, or you are not using the latest version of the SBAC Secure Browser.
How do I contact Smarter Balanced Tech Support?
Smarter Balanced Tech Support There is a chat line available at this site.
Phone 1-855-833-1969
[email protected]
SBAC Tech Support is available from 5am to 10pm Mountain Time
How do I contact the META SBAC Help Desk?
The Help Desk will be available from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday starting March 25, 2014 until the end of the testing window.
A ticket will be generated and your call will be returned as soon as possible.
During the testing window, you can call 1-844-510-6555 or 1-888-635-0228.
eMail through the Contact page on this website to automatically generate a help desk ticket.
Please include your name, school and school district, email address, phone number and a brief description of the problem in the email. Leave the same information when leaving a voice mail.
Can I use device X to test my kids?
Head over to the Testing Station Questions page to get these questions answered.
How much bandwidth do I need to test my kids?
Head over to the Internet and Network Questions page to get these questions answered.
I heard that USB headphones are required for the Field Test - is that true?
Not according to the technical requirements document provided by SBAC (pp 17-18). Standard 7/8" mini-RCA headphones are acceptable. META members conducting practice tests have had success with both USB and non-USB headphones. If you are buying new headphones, purchasing one with built-in volume controls may make testing easier.
Do I need Microphones on my Headphones?
Not according to the technical requirements document provided by SBAC (pp 17-18). At this time it is not assumed that microphones will be required for either the field test or the 2014-2015 testing window. META believes that this may be one of the requirements that is changed in the future to support fluency or other ELA tests, so if you are buying new headphones, it may be wise to buy those that include a microphone (just in case they become required in the future).
Are Keyboards required for tablets and iPads?
Yes, keyboards are mandatory. Bluetooth keyboards are allowed as well as keyboards that plug into the tablet.
My Macintosh running Maverick operating system won't run the secure browser.
- Create a new student account called "Student Testing" under System Preferences, Users and Groups
- Set Parental Controls to only allow the Apps: Safari Browser and SBAC safe browser
- In System Preferences in Mission Control de-select all of the check boxes
- In System Preferences in Track Pad > More Gestures > de-select all check boxes
- In System Preferences in Keyboard, disable all keyboard shortcuts
Go to this link to subscribe.
Our Chromebooks get errors when running the secure browser.
Check to see if offline mail is enabled. Log onto the admin console, select Google Apps - Gmail - Advanced Settings - choose "Students" under the OU menu, then disable "Enable Offline Gmail for my users".
A Chromebook won't go into Kiosk Mode.
To fix this problem, wipe out the Chromebook which restores factory settings using the instructions in this link.
The Chromebook will have to be re-enrolled into the enterprise. Those instructions are here.
Then continue with the directions for setting up the Chromebook for the Field Test.
When starting the Field Test, the Text to Speech Test does not produce Sound.
It has been reported that the Text to Speech test in the Field Test does not work. However, when taking the test, the Text to Speech for the questions does work. It is just the test of Text to Speech that does not work.
According to SBAC, to enable text to speech on a question, right click beside the question. On a Macintosh without a right click button, press down the Control button and Click the mouse at the same time.
Julie won't save as the default voice pack on Windows computers.
Find and edit the sapi.cpl file and change Anna to the Julie Voice Pack. If you do this for each user it will remember the setting. There isn't a way to set the default in the control panel. NOTE: This is only a problem for Win 7 64 bit OS. All other Windows OS allows this change to be done in the control panel.
I get an error message "Satellite Error" when launching the TA module.
This error occurs if you have not used the SBAC Smart Browser to start the Field Test, or you are not using the latest version of the SBAC Secure Browser.
How do I contact Smarter Balanced Tech Support?
Smarter Balanced Tech Support There is a chat line available at this site.
Phone 1-855-833-1969
[email protected]
SBAC Tech Support is available from 5am to 10pm Mountain Time
How do I contact the META SBAC Help Desk?
The Help Desk will be available from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday starting March 25, 2014 until the end of the testing window.
A ticket will be generated and your call will be returned as soon as possible.
During the testing window, you can call 1-844-510-6555 or 1-888-635-0228.
eMail through the Contact page on this website to automatically generate a help desk ticket.
Please include your name, school and school district, email address, phone number and a brief description of the problem in the email. Leave the same information when leaving a voice mail.