Supervise the Assessment and Questionnaire Session
The test administrator should observe the following general rules during the test administration:
- Answering questions:
- Do not answer questions about the content of the test items or provide any specific information, answers, or instructions about any test item. The teacher of the students may be present during the testing session; they should be instructed not to answer any questions students may have.
- Be sure that all students understand what they are to do and know how to record their answers. You may answer students’ questions about these matters.
- School materials:
- Make sure students have a pen or a pencil and an eraser. Students are permitted to use blank paper, a calculator (graphing or non-graphing), manipulatives, a dictionary, a bilingual dictionary (e.g., English-French or other language), and a thesaurus. A non-graphing calculator is built into the assessment, but students may also use their own calculator, if preferred.
- If students are using blank paper to work out their answers, reinforce the importance of their typing the relevant part of their work into the “explain your answer” boxes in any applicable questions in the assessment (see script).
- Make sure that, for the duration of the testing session, students have stored away all of their school books/notes and any electronic devices, except for the devices used for the PCAP administration.
- Additional time:
- Please ask students who receive additional testing time during their regular school program to add a “T” after the generic password for Parts 1 and 2. The amount of additional time is up to the discretion of the test administrator. There is no time limit.
- While the questionnaire should take no more than 30 minutes, there is no time limit for completing it. The test administrator may provide students with additional time, if the session allows.
- Students finishing early, leaving, or coming late:
- If a student has completed Part 1 or Part 2 of the test before the time allowed is up, they may use the time to review their answers to the items within that part of the test. It is highly advisable for students to remain in the assessment room until the allocated time is over. Items for quiet activity (e.g., materials for individual work, books) should be readily available for students who finish PCAP early.
- If a student needs to leave early, ask the student to close the browser, using the “X” in the top right corner of the screen. Record the student as being present on the Student Tracking Form, and leave a comment on the Session Report Form explaining the reason why the student left the session. Their device should be secured at all times.
- If a student leaves the session and returns, they can continue where they left off by reopening the PCAP secure browser and logging in, unless the allotted time is already up.
- If a student refuses to participate, record the incident on the Session Report Form.
- No latecomers should be admitted to the session once the actual testing has begun (that is, once the students have received the password for the assessment directions, and you have begun reading the instructions).
- If a student arrives during the break after Part 1 and before Part 2 has begun, they may participate in Part 2 of the test. Please make sure to lead the student through the directions during the break. Log into the assessment using the student’s User ID and, on the first question in Part 1, click on the Review/Index tab. On the Review page, click “Submit.” The student will then be taken to Part 2 of the assessment. The student should then use the Part 2 test generic password. They should be recorded as present for the test on the Student Tracking Form, and an explanatory note should be recorded on that form.
- Problems (administrative or technical):
- Make note of any problems encountered during the assessment administration on the Session Report Form. When the issue pertains to a specific student, record their name and User ID along with a description of the situation.