Avant Assessment

Problem: I can’t type in Chinese or Japanese characters.

• To install character sets for Chinese and Japanese, select CHARACTER SET ACTIVATION and follow the directions specific to your computer and operating system.

Problem: Test is slow.

• Check to see if technical requirements are fulfilled and if the Diagnostic Wizard has been run. If so, then go to test site and run the test to make sure it is running correctly.

• Check bandwidth.

Problem: Receiving a ‘Time Out.’

• The test will time out after ten minutes of no response. If you are receiving a ‘TimeOut’ sooner than that, then odds are that your connection was too slow at the time you ran the test. Please run the bandwidth test to determine the # of students you can test inside your network, and also to determine the optimal time frame for testing.

Problem: Test froze momentarily.

• Most likely the Internet connection/ Bandwidth is too low to run multiple tests at one time.

Problem: Missing graphics, missing text, repeated questions.

• If graphics are present and the student thinks that a question is repeated, check to see if the prompt/question is different (the same realia is often used for multiple questions in a STAMP test). If graphics or text are missing, gather specific information including student’s first and last name, student login, language of test, and specific test question – then call technical support at 888-718-7887 so they can try to replicate the issue and solve the problem.

Problem: My student cannot get past the survey form. They submit and the system takes them right back to the survey.

• The web browser is not retaining session keys/cookies, and is therefore unable to keep the session active. There may be some security settings or software that is preventing the browser from accepting and keeping session cookies.

• Make sure that web browser is set to accept cookies. This should be found in browser preferences: Refer teacher/proctor to their own network administrator if they are unable to do this on their own.

• Make sure that any security applications such as Norton or internet filters are either disabled or set to allow access to and accept cookies from www.stamptest.net

Problem: My student is unable to record his/her voice.

• Before taking the test, the teacher, proctor, or network administrator needs to make sure all the settings on the computer are set to work with the test. They should then give the test a trial run and make sure it is functioning properly.

• If the test is not functioning properly, either this diagnostic process was never done, in which case it needs to be done; or something has been changed since that time.

• Determine if the teacher/proctor/network administrator tested the machine and connections prior to the test? Was the system working at that time?

  • If yes, is there something that happened in the district or system hardware or software weekly or other IT uploads, etc.?

  • If no, did you check the audio setting on the speakers? (Sometimes this gets reset at day’s end.)

Problem: Port 1935 failed on demo test.

• Port 1935 must be allowed for both up and down stream connectivity for TCP.

• Speak to network administrator and have him/her open the port.

Problem: My students cannot hear the audio playback.

• There should be only two possible explanations for this: either the sound on the machine is not functioning (muted, volume down, speakers off, etc.) or the diagnostic to make sure that the machine and network are functioning properly was not performed, or something has changed since it was. (Mac computers default to internal speakers and microphone rather than headset. Check settings if computer has been restarted.)

• Check to see that school is not filtering out mp3s.

• Make sure that the machine’s sound is functioning properly. Check other sound functions on the computer (changing the volume, playing a CD, etc.)

• If diagnostic was not performed, please run through steps and verify settings that need to be enabled in order for test to perform properly. If diagnostic was performed, has anything changed?

Problem: After I entered my User Name and Password and clicked the login button, nothing happened.

• Your browser software needs to have "Cookies" enabled. If it does not have the cookies enabled feature turned on, the application will not function properly. Check with your building IT director to make sure that the computers in the lab have this feature turned on. Though our system will not place a "cookie" on your computer, this setting has been identified as a potential problem element.

Problem: The browser crashed while one of my students was taking the test. Will he need to start from the beginning of the test once he logs back on?

• No, the computer remembers exactly where the students are in the progress of the test. We anticipated this situation and other situations where the test could be interrupted due to power loss or system crashes. Because the test is delivered from our secure servers, there are no files placed on your system at any time. The student can log back in and complete the test from the same or another computer and the test will continue from the point of the crash.

Problem: How do I see reports for my class?

• Go to: http://www.stamptest.net/stamp0708/stamptest/

• Go to: Report Login.

• Use Teacher login code. (not the same as the code given to students to take the tests)

Problem: What are the student ID numbers in ClassPak?

• The Student ID number is used only for certain school districts. If students do not have an ID number, simply have them enter '123'.

Problem: Could not resume test.

• Check for spaces between student’s login names. You can login to the teacher report site to check original spelling of student's name.

Problem: Are my logins from last year still valid?

• STAMP is updated on a regular basis. New student codes are usually issued for every academic year. To login to view Reports, use your login codes for the year of the results that you are viewing.

Problem: How do I set up Japanese or Chinese Characters on my machine?

• We have guides available in the Support and Training section of this Web site.

Problem: How do I know if my student passed?

• Avant Assessment does not offer a pass/fail test. Please check with your district supervisor or check state guidelines regarding how the levels the student achieved relate to your specific situation.

Problem: What is the highest score for the STAMP test?

• 5 for reading, 6 for writing and speaking.

• These are based on the ACTFL system of rating proficiency benchmarks from Novice Low to Intermediate High.

Problem: I am seeing “TEST IN PROGRESS” on my reports. What does this mean?

• Student has not completed the test.

• Solution: Student must log back into the test, typing their name exactly as they originally did to begin the test, and complete the test.

Problem: Several students finished the writing section but they were not sure if they had finished the test or not. How do they know when they are done?

• In the STAMP test Writing section, students must hit “Save” or they will lose their response. After “Saving,” students can edit their response and “Save” again. “Submit” indicates that the student is finished with that item and moves them to the next question. After completing all Writing questions, “Submit” will move the student to the Speaking section of the test.

• In the STAMP test Speaking section, students click “Record” to start recording, “STOP” to stop recording, and “PLAY” to listen to their recording. At that point, students can edit their response and listen to it again. “SUBMIT” indicates that the student is finished with that item and moves them to the next question.

• The student will know that they have completed the test when they see "Congratulations! You have completed the STAMP test."

Problem: Students can't login to system.

• Verify student's correct login information.

• If they log in a second time, check original spelling in report side.

Problem: The submit button was not submitting at the end of the speaking test.

• Close the browser and log back in to the test.

Problem: Some of my students were given more items than others.

• Because of the Computer Adaptive model used in this assessment, the computer will continue to deliver items to the students until it has verified the reading level of each student. This may be as few as 26 items for some students and as many as 36 items for others.

Problem: When the students are taking the test and “submit” a response to a test item, there are occasional times when the next window is blank or empty.

• Check to make sure that the computer’s browser meets the minimum requirements listed on Page One of the STAMP Technology Guide and that the Diagnostic Wizard reports adequate bandwidth. If necessary, have the student log out, move to a different computer, login again and resume testing.

Problem: Having problems logging back in to continue the test.

• Student must enter Test Code, Password, and Full Name, on the student login page correctly and exactly as they did the first time they took the test for the test to resume properly.

• If a student does not enter their name exactly as they entered it when they began the test, STAMP will not recognize the student as a continuing user. STAMP will assume that the student is a new user and will start them on a new test, rather than bringing up their original test for the student to resume.

Problem: Student cannot log back in to resume test because testing window has closed.

• The testing window is open for 10 school days. If a student does not complete the test before the testing window closes, he/she will not be able to log back in to complete the test.

Problem: A student took part of STAMP yesterday and then logged in today, but had to start over.

• If the student typed his or her name incorrectly the second time the system will assume this is a new student and start a new test.

Problem: Headsets/ able to hear but cannot record.

• Run Diagnostics Wizards with user (available in the Support & Training section of www.avantassessment.com.) Check muted boxes.

Problem: Recording function is not working properly on my computer.

• After recording your response, click on the "play" button to hear what you recorded. If you are unable to hear your response, there may be something wrong with your microphone, speakers or the system. ALWAYS listen to the recording before clicking the submit button. If you are unable to hear any sound, stop the test and check with a teacher or proctor for assistance.

Problem: Microphone or speakers appear to be non-functioning on the USB headset purchased from Avant Assessment.

• Check that the wire is plugged in, the volume is up and the mute is off.

• Go to the Control Panel/System Preferences and check to see that computer is recognizing headset and selecting it for both input and output.

• Go through diagnostic wizard to make sure that Ports are open, the MP3 and Flash are working and not being filtered.

• Check to see that the bandwidth is appropriate for the number of students testing. Slow connections are the most common cause of irregular recording issues.

• Defective headsets can be replaced free of charge within 30 days of purchase.

Problem: Students can hear sounds in the room from headset.

• Change AGC Settings. Go to control panel, sounds and audio devices, audio, Sound recording, volume, advanced, uncheck AGC.