Guide to Online Exams 1

Guide to Online Exams

ContentsQuestionmark Secure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Logging In and Exam Access. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4MSN Messenger Users. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Exam Introductory Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Question Presentation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Flagging Questions for Review. . . . . . . . . . . . 9Proceeding to Next Section. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Completing the Exam. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Exam Results. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Test Taking Suggestions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Frequently Asked Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Guide to Online Exams 2

Questionmark SecureCandidates taking exams online must first Install Questionmark Secure on the computerthat will be used for testing. This is a free program that provides a secure environmentfor internet testing and helps maintain the integrity of our academic and certification programs. The download is quick and needs to be performed only once on any computer that will be used for the delivery of online tests.• Access the Questionmark Secure

Participant Guide here (right click and select ‘Open Weblink in Browser’).

• Download Questionmark Secure here.• Verify installation by trying a secure

assessment here.

Guide to Online Exams 3

What You Can’t DoWhen a participant uses Questionmark Secure, most key-presses and mouse-clicks (except those appropriate to answering questions) are not permitted. In particular, the following actions are disabled:• Navigation

– Tabbing forward or backwards– Moving backwards

• Control functions– Escape– Refresh

• Screen– Print whole screen or active window

• System Key Combinations– Exit and close window– Start menu– Next Window and cycle windows– Shutdown

Guide to Online Exams 4

Logging In

• Click here to view the exam login page.

• Only your proctor has the ID and password needed to access your exam.

enter your ID and password and click the Login button

Guide to Online Exams 5

Accessing your exam

be sure to close other applications running at this time

after login, you’ll see the exam you are scheduled to take

click Startto launch your exam

Guide to Online Exams 6

MSN Messenger Users

• Some versions of MSN Messenger do not close completely when exited from the desktop.

• To turn of completely, click Ctrl+Alt+Deleteand select Task Manager.

• In the Processes tab, highlight msmsgs.exein the Image Name list and click End Process.

highlight msmsgs.exe

click end process

Guide to Online Exams 7

Agreement Forms

• Be sure to complete the Proctor and Candidate Agreement Forms.

• The questions and timer will appear once these forms have been read and completed. enter name in text box

and click Continue

Guide to Online Exams 8

One Question at a Time

• Once you start, the questions appear one at a time.

• Answers save automatically every 5 minutes. Click the ‘Save’button at anytime to save responses.

use scrollbar to view all of the questions

proceed to next question

‘jump’ to any question by clicking on the number

saves answers in case internet connection is lost

Guide to Online Exams 9

Flagging Questions

answered questions are shaded blue Flag questions you might

want to review later if you have the time

‘flagged’ question

Guide to Online Exams 10

Moving Right Along…• Remember to

answer all questions in each section before proceeding.

• Questions from previous sections are no longer accessible and cannot be answered or changed.

make sure you have answered all questions before moving to the next section - unanswered questions will be scored as wrong answers

Guide to Online Exams 11

Completing Your Exam

• Attempt everyquestion before submitting the exam.

click here to score exam and receive results

Guide to Online Exams 12

How Did You Do?

• An email will be sent containing your pass/fail status for the exam.

close secure browser by clicking here

Guide to Online Exams 13

A Few Suggestions. . .Prepare your computer prior to your exam session• Make sure to install Questionmark Secure and try the sample secure exam in advance of your

scheduled test date. Waiting until the last minute can add to the stress that accompanies exams.

Attempt to answer every question• Unanswered questions are scored as incorrect and, unlike some exams, there is no additional

penalty for answering a question incorrectly. If you are unsure of the answer, guess at the answer and flag the question for later review.

Remember the 60 second rule• Initially, try to limit the time spent on each question to 1 minute. Time permitting, give flagged

questions a second look once you have answered all of the questions in the section.

Choose the BEST answer• Although some distracters might seem correct under certain circumstances, each question has

only one best answer. Additionally, do not read more into the question than what is stated. Answer each question based on the information stated.

Save your answers• Exam answers are saved automatically at 5-minute intervals and upon completion of a section.

You might want to click the ‘Save’ button after answering several questions. If you lose your internet connection, you’ll be able to resume your exam at the point from when answers were last saved. Also, be sure to save your answers if you are about to run out of time. Unsaved answers are scored as incorrect once the time limit is reached.

Guide to Online Exams 14

Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat do I need to use Perception?• In order to use Perception you will need:• A computer with an internet connection - This includes Macs• A web browser - Internet Explorer or Firefox are recommended but any browser should work• Javascript enabled in the "internet settings“What happens if I lose my connection to the internet?• If you lose your connection, you’ll need to press Alt +F4 in order to close Questionmark Secure. Once a

connection to the internet has been reestablished, access the login screen and enter the I.D. and password. By checking the ‘Show list of any unfinished assessments’ box, candidates will be able to resume the exam at the point from when answers were last saved. The timer continues to run so be sure to resume your exam as quickly as possible.

I keep getting 'Access denied' messages when I try to open Questionmark Secure...• When opening Questionmark Secure, the date/time settings on your machine must be roughly correct. If

they are more than 12 hours fast or slow, you will encounter an 'Access denied' (or similar) error message. You should correct your date/time settings and try to open Questionmark Secure again.

Why do I get a .qmsb - unknown file type error when I open a secure assessment?• When security on a computer is set to a high level, the Questionmark Secure installation process may

not be able to configure all of the necessary files. This link will take you through the steps required to manually configure the file associations so that Questionmark Secure opens up secure assessments when required.

How do I close MSN Messenger?• This issue is addressed on page 6.What if I need help?• If you have any questions or problems regarding your online exam, please contact HFTP’s Director of

Certification and Board Relations, Bryan Wood, at Certification@hftp.org or by phone at 1-800-646-4387 x 29.