Tips For Taking The Computer-Based FSA ELA Reading

Tips for Taking theComputer-BasedFSA ELA ReadingAssessmentsFor Grades 5–101

It’s almost time to take thecomputer-basedFSA ELA Reading test!Here are some important explanations andreminders to help you do your very best.2

FSA ELA Reading Students in Grades 5–10 will take the FloridaStandards Assessments (FSA) English LanguageArts (ELA) Reading test on the computer. There are two sessions for FSA ELA Reading; youwill complete the sessions over two days. Grade 5 students will have 80 minutes for eachsession. Grades 6–8 students will have 85 minutes foreach session. Grade 9–10 students will have 90 minutes foreach session.3

Test InvalidationLet’s talk about the termtest invalidation.It’s important for you tounderstand what it means so itwon’t happen to you!4

Test InvalidationIf your test is invalidated, it means thatyour test will not be scored, and youwill not be able to retakethe same test.5

To make sure your test is scored Remove all electronic devices.If you have an electronic device at your desk,in your pocket, or ANYWHERE you can reachit during testing or while on a break, your testwill not be scored.6

Electronic DevicesSome examples of electronic devices are: Cell phones or smartphones Tablets Handheld video games MP3 players Cameras7

Electronic Devices All electronic devices must be turned offbefore the test. Your teacher may collectthem or instruct you to put them away (in alocker or backpack away from your desk). If you aren’t sure if something is an electronicdevice, please ask your teacher before thetest.8

To make sure your test is scored Do your own work.If you are caught looking at another student’sanswers, allowing another student to look atyour answers, or using any kind ofunauthorized aid during the test, your testwill not be scored.9

To make sure your test is scored Don’t be disruptive.If you are disruptive during a test, you may bedismissed from the room and your test maynot be scored. It is very important for you toremain quiet, respect other students, and payattention to and follow the instructions.10

To make sure your test is scored Don’t leave school during a session.If you leave the school’s campus for lunch oran appointment before you complete a testsession, you will not be allowed to finishtaking the test when you return.11

Testing RulesDuring the test, you must not: Talk to other students or make any disturbance Look at another student’s computer or device screen orworksheet Allow another student to look at your computer or devicescreen or worksheet Ask for help answering any test questions Give help to another student in answering test questions Have any electronic or recording devices, other than thedevice on which you are testing, in your possession at anytime, including breaks, even if you do not use them Fail to follow any other instructions given12

Testing RulesBefore the test, your test administrator will readthe testing rules aloud and ask you to read theTesting Rules Acknowledgment. You will beasked to sign your name below the Testing RulesAcknowledgment to show that you understandthe rules.13

Taking the TestLet’s talk about the materialsyou will use to take the testand the process you will followwhen taking the test.14

Test Delivery System (TDS)You will take the test in theFSA Secure Browserusing the Test Delivery System (TDS).15

CBT Worksheets Before you begin, your testadministrator will give you aCBT Worksheet that you mayuse to take notes. When you complete a testsession, the test administratorwill collect your worksheet. While testing, make sure thatyour worksheet is not easilyvisible to other students.16

Headphones/Earbuds You will need to have a pair of headphones orearbuds for the listening portion of the FSAELA Reading test. When you log in to take your test, you willlisten to a sound check to ensure that yourheadphones and earbuds are workings priorto beginning the test.17

Test Tickets Prior to testing, your test administrator willgive you a test ticket listing your Usernameand First Name, which you will need to log into your computer-based test. Be sure that your test ticket has the correctname and date of birth on it. When logging in to your test, it is importantthat you enter your Username and First Nameexactly as they appear on your test ticket.18

Logging In to the TestWhen your test administrator tells you to do so,you will enter your First Name and Username(as printed on your test ticket) as well as theSession ID, which your test administrator willdisplay for you.19

“Is This You?” Screen After you log in, you will see a screen that says“Is This You?” You will verify that the information listed onthe screen is correct and select “Yes” tocontinue.20

Computer-Based ToolsYou may use any of the tools on the screen tohelp you with your test.21

Computer-Based ToolsBack and NextThe Back and Next tools can be used to move to theprevious question or the next question.22

Computer-Based ToolsSave and Pause The Save button allows you to manually save yourwork. However, this feature is optional. Your answerswill automatically be saved every time you move tothe next item regardless of whether you select theSave button. The Pause button allows you to pause and exit thetest. If you pause your test, you will have to log backin to the testing system to resume testing.23

Computer-Based ToolsEnd Test The End Test button will only be available during Session2 of the test. During Session 1, it will be greyed and youwill not be able to select it. You will only select the End Test button when you arecompletely finished with your test and ready to submit atthe end of Session 2. After you select End Test, you will see a pop-up messageletting your know that you have reached the end of thetest.24

Computer-Based ToolsLine ReaderThe Line Reader tool allows you to highlight a specificline in the passage or prompt.25

Computer-Based ToolsZoom Out and Zoom In Use the Zoom Out and Zoom In buttons to increaseand decrease the size of text within the test page. Four levels of magnification are available.26

Computer-Based ToolsHelp Button The Help button opens a pop-up window withthe Help Guide, which includes an Overview ofthe Student Testing Site and Test Tools, BasicTest Rules, and Accessing Context Menu Tools. These instructions remind you how tonavigate from one item or passage to the nextand how to use the tools and features in thetesting platform.27

Computer-Based ToolsExpand Passage The Expand Passage tool allows you to expand thereading passage panel so that it takes up most of thescreen. Selecting Expand Passage a second time collapsesthe expanded reading passage panel.28

Computer-Based ToolsContext Menu: Tutorial The Tutorial tool opens a pop-up window that willdisplay a video tutorial of how to respond to thatparticular item type. Note that there is no sound for the tutorial.29

Computer-Based ToolsContext Menu: Notepad The Notepad tool opens a pop-up window in whichyou can type notes for later reference. There is one notepad for the entire test. The notesyou type will remain each time you open the toolunless you delete them. Remember, you can also make notes on your CBTWorksheet.30

Computer-Based ToolsContext Menu: Notepad You can move thenotepad around thescreen by clicking ortapping the top of thewindow and dragging itto another part of thescreen. You can also click anddrag the Help screen.31

Computer-Based ToolsContext Menu: Mark for Review The Mark for Review tool allows you to mark anditem review. The Review screen at the end of the test will alertyou to any items that you have marked for review sothat you can go back and check your work for thatitem.32

Computer-Based ToolsHighlighter You can highlight sections of the passage and items. First, click or tap at the beginning of the section youwould like to highlight. Then, drag to the end of thesection you want to highlight. Right-click or tap in the selected section and choose“Highlight Selection.”33

Finishing Session 1 When you have completed Session 1, review yourwork carefully and ensure you have answered everyquestion. On the last item, select the Next button, which willtake you to the Review screen.34

Item Review ScreenItems marked for review willhave a flag with a checkmarknext to that item number. Clickthe item number to return tothat item to review it.Items that you did not provide aresponse to will have an orangetriangle with an exclamation pointnext to the item number. Click thenumber to return to that item. 35

Finishing Session 1 Once you have reviewed any items, select thePause button on the Review screen. Follow your test administrator's instructionsregarding what to do if you finish your testbefore the session has ended.36

Starting Session 2 You will log into Session 2 using your testticket and a new Session ID. You will not be able to return to Session 1.37

Submitting Your Test When you have completed Session 2, reviewyour work carefully and ensure you haveanswered every question. After you have checked your work, select EndTest. You will see a pop-up window saying that youhave reached the end of the test. If you areready to submit your test, select Yes tocontinue to the Review screen.38

Submitting Your Test After you have verified that you haveanswered all questions, select Submit Test onthe review screen. A pop-up window will ask you to confirm thatyou want to submit the test. Once you select“Yes,” you cannot return to the test. If you are ready to submit your test, selectYes.39

Comment Form When you have finished your test, your testadministrator will instruct you how to accessand submit the student comment form. Please provide your honest, thoughtfulfeedback!40

Training Test Before taking the “live” test, you should take atraining test. The training test will allow you to practiceusing the Test Delivery System and help youlearn how to respond to the different types ofquestions and use the tools. You can take a training test any time atwww.FSAssessments.org/training-tests.41

Remember During the test you may not:– Look at another student’s answers– Allow another student to look at youranswers– Have notes, scratch paper (other thanyour worksheet), or electronic devices(other than those on which you aretesting)42

Remember You may not ask for help in answering anytest questions.– Your teacher or test administrator is notallowed to discuss the test or help youread, understand, or answer testquestions. Try to answer every question.43

Remember Once you submit a test, you cannot goback into the test. Be sure to check youranswers and try to answer every questionbefore submitting your test.44

Remember During breaks and after testing, it’simportant that you don’t talk about thespecific test questions with friends,classmates, teachers, or other students.45

Most importantly: Get a good night’s sleep and eat a goodbreakfast before the test. Relax and do your best!46

Apr 08, 2015 · FSA ELA Reading Students in Grades 5–10 will take the Florida Standards Assessments (FSA) English Language Arts (ELA) Reading test on the computer. There are two sessions for FSA ELA Reading; you will complete the sessions over two days. Grade 5 students will have 80 minute