Frequently Asked Questions about the PARCC Spring Administration

Frequently Asked Questions about the
PARCC Spring Administration
Updated February 20, 2015
This document contains Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the PARCC spring administration.
Questions fall into the following categories:
 General Questions
 Timing and Scheduling for the PARCC Assessments
 Preparing for the PARCC Assessments
 Training for the PARCC Assessments
 Security Policies and Procedures
 Mathematics Tools for the PARCC Assessments
 Questions about Computer-Based Administration
 Questions about Paper-Based Administration
 Questions about Make-up Testing
 Accessibility Features and Accommodations for PARCC Assessments
 Resources
Resources within this document are hyperlinked. Please refer to the resources section on the final page
of this document for a list of websites where resources are available.
Frequently Asked Questions about the PARCC Assessments
General Questions
1. What assessments are included in the spring administration?
In spring 2015, the following assessments are available in computer-based and paper-based formats:
Grades 3–11 English Language Arts/Literacy, Grades 3–8 Mathematics, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II,
Integrated Mathematics I, Integrated Mathematics II, and Integrated Mathematics III. States may not
administer all of the high school assessments. Please check with your state assessment office for more
information.
2. Which states are participating in the spring 2015 administration?
The following states are administering spring 2015 assessments: Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana,
Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, and Rhode Island, as well as the
District of Columbia.
Timing and Scheduling for the PARCC Assessments
The questions in this section update the Scheduling FAQs posted on the PARCC Assessment
Administration website.
1. What are the test administration windows for the PARCC assessments?
Test administration dates vary by state. Check with your state assessment office for information about
your state’s testing window.
2. What is the difference between “session” and “unit”?
Session: A “session” includes all of the units for a content area (e.g., Mathematics) and may be
scheduled across one or more days. “Sessions” also refer to the groups of tested students that are
scheduled together (as setup in PearsonAccessnext for computer-based testing).
Unit: Each content area (or session) of the PARCC assessments is composed of units. Figure 1.0 below
maps examples of the units within the Performance-Based Assessment (PBA) and End-of-Year (EOY)
administrations.
Figure 1.0 Administration Components
PBA
EOY
Literary
Analysis Unit
ELA/L
(Session)
ELA/L
Research
Simulation Unit
(Session)
Narrative
Writing Unit
Unit 1
Unit 2**
EOY
PBA
Calculator
Section
(Administration)
(Administration)
Calculator
Section
Unit 1*
Math
(Session)
Noncalculator
Section
Unit 1*
Math
(Session)
Noncalculator
Section
Unit 2
Unit 2
*Grades 3–5 do not have a calculator section
unit
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**Grades 3–5 EOY has only 1
Frequently Asked Questions about the PARCC Assessments
3. How long will the testing window be at my school?
Schools participating in computer-based tests (CBT) have up to 20 consecutive school days for testing
each administration. Schools participating in paper-based tests (PBT) have up to 10 consecutive school
days for testing each administration.
Your state may have additional requirements with regard to the length of the test administration
window. Check your state policy in Appendix C of the Test Coordinator Manual.
4. Is there a particular time during the testing window in which our school must schedule test units
(e.g., Literary Analysis unit on Monday, Research Simulation Unit on Tuesday)?
No. Schools may test at any time during the testing window during regular school hours. Schools (or
districts/LEAs) should schedule make-up units as needed. Make-up units must be scheduled within the
20/10 consecutive school days allowed for testing.
5. Do the units (e.g., Literary Analysis Unit, Research Simulation Unit, Mathematics Unit 1) need to
be administered in order?
Yes. All units within a content area must be scheduled and administered in sequential order for an
assigned group of students. However, if a student is absent and misses a unit, he or she may resume
testing with his or her assigned testing group during regular testing; only the missed unit(s) will need to
be rescheduled during make-up testing (NOTE: this is a different policy than what was permitted under
the spring 2014 Field Test). Additional guidance about make-up testing is available in the Test
Coordinator Manual and Test Administrator Manuals. All manuals for the spring administration can be
found on PARCC’s Manuals and Training website.
6. Do students in the same grade/course need to take the same unit at the same time?
For computer-based testing (CBT), each unit must be scheduled for all students within a grade/course at
a school as close together as available devices will allow(with the exception of make-up testing).For
paper-based testing (PBT), each unit must be completed by all students within a grade/course at a
school on the same school day (with the exception of make-up testing).With the exception of make-up
testing, units must be taken in sequential order (e.g., Unit 1, then Unit 2).
Your state may have additional requirements. Check your state policy in Appendix C of the Test
Coordinator Manual. All manuals for the spring administration can be found on PARCC’s Manuals and
Training website.
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Frequently Asked Questions about the PARCC Assessments
7. Is it required that content areas (i.e., English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics) be
scheduled in a particular order?
No. Schools/LEAs may use their discretion in deciding which content areas are scheduled on what days,
so long as units within each content area are scheduled in sequential order.
For example, schools may schedule one full content area first, as shown here:
Grade 9 ELA/L and Algebra I – Performance-Based Assessment:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Algebra I: Unit 1
Algebra I: Unit 2
ELA/L: Literary
ELA/L: Research
Analysis Unit
Simulation Unit
Day 5
ELA/L: Narrative
Writing Unit
Alternatively, schools may schedule content areas as alternating between ELA/L and Mathematics:
Grade 9 ELA/L and Algebra I – Performance-Based Assessment:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
ELA/L: Literary
Algebra I: Unit 1
ELA/L: Research
Algebra I: Unit 2
Analysis Unit
Simulation Unit
Day 5
ELA/L: Narrative
Writing Unit
8. Can schools schedule content areas on separate weeks?
Yes. Schools may use their discretion when scheduling units.
9. Are schools required to begin testing on Monday?
No. Schools may use their discretion when scheduling units.
10. Can my school administer more than one unit per day?
Yes. Schools may use their discretion when scheduling units and may schedule more than one unit a day,
as long as the unit is completed in one day. However, it is highly recommended that schools schedule no
more than two units per day for any given student. When scheduling multiple units for a single day,
schools must schedule breaks between units. Remember that each Unit of the PBA ELA has a long
constructed response (prose constructed response), so students will be writing an essay in each Unit.
For example, a school may schedule one unit in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Grade 9 ELA/L and Algebra I – Performance-Based Assessment:
Time of Day
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Morning
Algebra I: Unit 1
ELA/L: Unit 1
ELA/L: Unit 3
(Literary Analysis) (Narrative
Writing)
Afternoon
Algebra I: Unit 2
ELA/L: Unit 2
(Research
Simulation)
11. Can a single unit be split over more than one day?
No. Each individual unit must be completed within one day.
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Frequently Asked Questions about the PARCC Assessments
12. Will the PARCC assessments be timed?
Yes. The PARCC states revised the testing times based on data from the 2014 spring field test. Testing
times can be found on the PARCC Assessment Administration Guidance website. Test Administrators are
responsible for ensuring units are administered according to the Unit Testing Times.
13. Will students be allowed additional testing time?
Unless a student has a disability (documented in an IEP or 504 plan) or is an English learner (preidentified and included in an EL plan, if applicable for your state) with an approved extended time
accommodation, students are not allowed additional time beyond the Unit Testing Time.
14. What is the recommended time that schools should schedule for testing sessions?
Schools must schedule the full Unit Testing Times for each unit. In addition, PARCC recommends that
schools also build in up to30 minutes per unit to account for the following activities:
Computer-Based Administration
Paper-Based Administration
 Helping students login
 Reading instructions to students
 Reading instructions to students
 Responding to student questions about
administration process
 Responding to student questions about
administration process
 Distributing materials to students
 Distributing testing tickets and other
 Collecting materials
materials to students
 Helping students logout
15. What is the difference between Unit Testing Time and Estimated Time on Task, and which should
my school use for scheduling purposes?
Unit Testing Time is the amount of time any student who needs it must be provided to complete the
unit. As such, it is the amount of testing time schools must schedule for each unit. Schools should also
plan for additional administration time (approximately 30 minutes) to account for the time it takes to
read instructions to students, respond to student questions, and conduct end-of-unit activities. A
student may be allowed an extended time accommodation beyond the Unit Testing Time only if this
accommodation is listed in his or her IEP or 504 Plan (or EL Plan, if required by your state).
Estimated Time on Task is the approximate amount of time, based on data from the field test, in which
it is anticipated that many students will complete a unit. This amount of time will vary across classrooms
and schools. It is provided for informational purposes only.
Information about Unit Testing Times and Estimated Time on Task is available on PARCC’s Assessment
Administration Guidance website.
16. If all students in a unit finish early, can the testing group move onto the next unit?
Yes. If all students in a testing group have finished a unit prior to the end of Unit Testing Time, the
testing group may move onto the next unit if the schedule allows. Test Administrators must ensure
students have a short break between testing units (e.g., stretch break, restroom break).
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Frequently Asked Questions about the PARCC Assessments
17. If one student in a testing group finishes early, may he or she move onto the next unit?
No. A new unit cannot be started until all students in the testing group (with the exception of absent
students) are finished with the existing unit.
18. If students finish early, do they need to remain in the testing room until the end of Unit Testing
Time?
Policies on what students may do after completing testing vary by state. Additional information is
available in Appendix C of the Test Coordinator Manual.
19. If a class has a "stand and stretch" break, can the time be added on at the end of the unit?
Yes. At the discretion of the Test Administrator, classrooms may take one three minute “stand and
stretch” break during a unit, and the Test Administrator should adjust the Unit Testing Time by no more
than three minutes.
19. Can a Test Administrator prompt students in the middle of the unit that there are x minutes
remaining?
The Test Administrator Manuals instruct the Test Administrator to give a students a notice to begin
finishing their test at 10 minutes prior to the end of Unit Testing Time. Test Administrators may, if
desired, give one additional reminder, such as when five minutes are remaining.
Preparing Students for the PARCC Assessments
1. What resources are available for students to practice responding to PARCC test items?
PARCC has the following resources available for student practice prior to PARCC testing this spring:
 Sample items: Use the sample items to try out test questions on the technology platform that
students will use when taking the computer-based tests.
 Practice tests: Use the practice tests to practice the experience of taking a PARCC test. The
practice test is intended to provide students with some familiarity with the assessments.
 Tutorials: The purpose of the tutorials is to demonstrate the navigation and tools available for
computer-based assessments and the use of the Test Booklets for paper-based assessments.
The items appearing in these tutorials are samples used to allow students and educators
opportunities to gain familiarity with the technology platform and paper-based format that will
be used for PARCC assessments. Tutorials are also available to familiarize students with using
Equation Editor.
2. Is it a requirement to administer the sample items, tutorials, or practice tests?
No, but is it highly recommended. If a school is administering the computer-based tests, it is highly
recommended that students be provided a chance to take the computer-based practice tests and
tutorials. If a school is administering the paper-based tests, it is highly recommended that students be
provided a chance to practice with PARCC items and take the paper-based practice tests and tutorials.
3. Is there a printable version of the PARCC Practice Tests?
Paper-based practice tests and tutorials are available in PDF format for ease of printing. Computerbased practice tests are not available in a PDF format since the purpose of the computer-based practice
test is to help students become familiar with the computer-based testing environment.
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Frequently Asked Questions about the PARCC Assessments
4. What opportunities do students have to practice with accessibility features and accommodations?
A full list of the tools, accessibility features, and accommodations, along with the location of where they
can be found for the purpose of student practice, is available on the PARCC Accessibility Features and
Accommodations website under PARCC Tools, Accessibility Features, and Accommodations Available for
Student Practice.
Training for PARCC Assessments
1. What training is available to schools to prepare for PARCC testing?
The table below lists the training modules (recorded training webinars) that are available at PARCC’s
Manuals and Training website. It is recommended to review the training modules that correspond with
your test administration role.
Test Administrators
Introduction to PARCC Training
Modules
Accessibility Features &
Accommodations
Administration of Paper-Based Testing
for Test Administrators
Administration of Paper-Based Testing
for Test Coordinators
PearsonAccessnext Training
Student Registration Import
Administration of Computer-Based
Assessments for Test Coordinators
Administration of Computer-Based
Assessments for Test Administrators
Personal Needs Profile (PNP)
Technology "Readiness" for Schools &
Districts
Student Readiness Resources for
PARCC
Proctor Caching &TestNav
Configuration
Infrastructure Trials: Running a Dress
Rehearsal
Test Coordinators
Technology
Coordinator
Accommodation
Coordinators
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Below is a brief description of each training module:
 Introduction to PARCC Training Modules– Introduces users to features of the other training
modules and explain general information about the 2014-2015 PARCC Assessments.
 Accessibility Features &Accommodations– Prepares Accommodations Coordinators to assign or
administer accessibility features or accommodations for eligible students in the 2014–2015
PARCC Assessments.
 Administration of Paper-Based Assessments for Test Administrators– Guides Test Administrators
through the steps necessary to prepare for and administer the PARCC Assessments for PaperBased Testing.
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Administration of Paper-Based Assessments for Test Coordinators– Guides Local Education
Agency (LEA) or School Test Coordinators through the steps necessary to prepare for,
implement, and complete the PARCC Assessments for Paper-Based Testing.
PearsonAccessnext– Guides users through PearsonAccessnext with steps to create and manage
staff accounts, organization information, and instructions on how to order additional materials.
Student Registration Import – Guides Test Coordinators through preparing and uploading
student registration data to PearsonAccessnext through a system file.
Administration of Computer-Based Assessments for Test Coordinators– Guides LEA or School
Test Coordinators through the steps necessary to prepare for, implement, and complete the
PARCC Assessments for Computer-Based Testing.
Administration of Computer-Based Assessments for Test Administrators– Guides Test
Administrators through the steps necessary to prepare for, and administer the PARCC
Assessments for Computer-Based Testing.
Personal Needs Profile (PNP)– Guides users in preparing and uploading the Personal Needs
Profile data to PearsonAccessnext through a system file. It will also demonstrate applying
accommodations to currently registered students in PearsonAccessnext.
Technology “Readiness” for Schools & Districts– Helps Schools and Districts manage and make
decisions in preparing their technology to be used for online testing.
Student Readiness Resources for PARCC–Guides districts and schools to the tools available to
prepare students and educators with simulation experience of PARCC assessments.
Proctor Caching &TestNav Configuration–Guides Technology Coordinators through how to
utilize Proctor Caching, the SystemCheck Tool, and TestNav Configuration in PearsonAccessnext.
Infrastructure Trials: Running a Dress Rehearsal–Guides schools and districts through a
beginning to end practice run of completing the PARCC assessments.
Additionally, it is highly recommended that school and district staff become familiar with the sample
items, practice tests, and tutorials.
Your state may hold additional training opportunities, such as regional training workshops for District
Test Coordinators and webinars for district and school staff. Contact your state assessment office for
more information.
2. How can my district access training materials to help train school personnel for PARCC testing?
All training materials are available online at PARCC’s Manuals and Training website:
 Thirteen training modules and PowerPoints
 Spring Test Administrator Manuals
 Spring Test Coordinator Manual
One printed copy of the Test Coordinator Manual and one copy of the Test Administrator Manual (for
each grade/subject being administered at your school) per 25 students will be shipped to schools two
weeks prior to administration.
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Frequently Asked Questions about the PARCC Assessments
Security Policies and Procedures
1. Can anyone view PARCC items during the PARCC administration?
No. PARCC administration is a secure testing event. Items (excluding those found on sample items,
practice tests, and tutorials) may not be viewed by anyone other than the students who are
participating in the administration for the appropriate grade level/course (except when certain
accommodations are being provided).
2. What constitutes a testing irregularity?
Testing irregularities are actions or events that deviate from prescribed testing procedures and may
compromise the validity of the test. Refer to Section 2.7 of the Test Coordinator Manual for examples of
testing irregularities.
3. What should I do if I think a testing breach or testing irregularity has occurred?
This information can be found in Section 2.7.3 of the Test Coordinator Manual. You must immediately
contact your School Test Coordinator if you think a testing irregularity or testing breach has occurred.
School Test Coordinators must immediately contact the LEA Test Coordinator or state assessment office,
in accordance with your state policy as found in Appendix C of the Test Coordinator Manual. Schools
must also file a written report using the Form to Report a Testing Irregularity or Security Breach of the
Test Coordinator Manual (located in Appendix E) within two school days.
4. Will visitors be allowed during testing?
Information on authorized visitors can be found in Section 4.2 of the Test Coordinator Manual. Visitors,
including parents/guardians, school board members, researchers, reporters or other members of the
media, non-testing students, and school staff not authorized to serve as Test Administrators or Proctors
are prohibited from entering the testing environment. Visits by state assessment office monitors, LEA
monitors, and Parcc Inc. observers are allowed based on state-specific policy, as long as these
individuals do not disturb the testing process. Information about state-by-state policies can be found in
Appendix C of the Test Coordinator Manual.
5. Should Test Administrators encourage students to review their answers?
The test administration scripts that are part of the Test Administrator Manual include a scripted
reminder to students to check their work and make sure they have answered all of the questions. Test
Administrators must follow the script and not encourage individual students to review answers.
6. The training materials indicate that students must be separated by a reasonable distance. How is
reasonable distance defined?
Seating arrangements should prevent student collaboration, but School Test Coordinators and Test
Administrators may use their professional judgment when setting up the testing room. Suggestions for
seating arrangements can be found in Section 4.1 of the Test Coordinator Manual.
7. Can students use e-readers after testing is complete?
Electronic readers are not allowed during the PARCC administration, even if a student has completed
testing.
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Mathematics Tools for the PARCC Assessments
1. Where can I find PARCC’s calculator policy?
PARCC’s calculator policy can be found in Section 3.2 in the spring Test Coordinator Manual. Please refer
to the policy for full guidance.
Allowable calculators include:
 Grades 3–5: No calculators allowed, except for students with an approved calculator
accommodation
 Grades 6–7: Four-function calculators with square root and percentage functions
 Grade 8: Scientific calculators
 High school: Graphing calculators (with functionalities consistent with TI -84 or similar models)
2. Are calculators embedded in the computer-based test for use during the calculator units (gr. 6–8
and HS) or are students expected to bring a calculator to the test?
Calculators are embedded during the appropriate sections (i.e., calculator sections). Per Section 3.2 of
the Test Coordinator and Test Administrator Manuals, PARCC policy also allows students to use a
handheld calculator if they choose, which would need to be checked by the Test Administrator.
3. Are calculators with memory allowable during PARCC testing?
Yes, calculators with memory are allowable as long as they meet the calculator policy found in Section
3.2 in the spring Test Coordinator Manual and are grade-or course-appropriate. Test Administrators are
responsible for ensuring the memory is clear on all calculators prior to and after administration.
4. Will rulers and protractors be provided on the PARCC assessments?
Yes, for some grades, but only for paper-based testing. For computer-based testing, these tools will be
available in TestNav8. The grade-specific policies are outlined below:
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Grade 3: Rulers are provided through the delivery platform for computer-based testing and in
shipped materials for paper-based testing.
Grade 4–7: Rulers and protractors are provided through the delivery platform for computerbased testing and in shipped materials for paper-based testing.
Grade 8: Rulers are provided through the delivery platform for computer-based testing and in
shipped materials for paper-based testing. Protractors are optional and allowable materials for
Grade 8 Mathematics assessments. However, they will not be provided in shipped materials, as
they are not required tools.
High School: Rulers and protractors are optional and allowable materials for all high school
Mathematics assessments. However, they will not be provided in shipped materials, as they are
not required tools.
PARCC’s Mathematics tools policy can be found on PARCC’s Assessment Administration website. It is
also available in Section 3.4 in the Test Coordinator Manual.
5. Are geometry tools allowed on the PARCC assessments?
For the spring administration, tracing paper, reflection tools, straight edges and compasses are
allowable materials for the Grade 8, Geometry, Integrated Math I, Integrated Math II, and Integrated
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Math III assessments only. These tools are meant as allowable tools for students who use them in daily
instruction and who may find them useful during administration.
Directions should be given to a Test Administrator to have the materials located in a predetermined
location in the testing room. If schools allow students to bring their own tools, they must be given to the
School Test Coordinator or Test Administrator prior to testing to ensure that the tools are appropriate
for testing (e.g., tools do not have any writing on them).
6. If schools do not have geometry tools that are listed in the Test Administration Manuals, do they
need to purchase them?
No. These are meant as allowable tools for students who use them in daily instruction who may find
them useful during administration. Though schools are allowed to provide them as useable materials,
schools are not required to purchase these tools for the purposes of PARCC assessments. Schools may
also allow students to use their own geometry tools if they are first provided to the school prior to test
administration to ensure there is no writing of any kind on them.
7. Will new Mathematics reference sheets be provided for the EOY administration, or do schools
have to save reference sheets from the PBA administration?
New Mathematics reference sheets will be provided for the EOY paper-based test administration.
Although reference sheets will have to be collected and re-used between units, schools will follow
procedures for destroying the reference sheets after the PBA administration and after the EOY
administration.
8. Can students practice with Mathematics reference sheets prior to testing?
Yes. The Mathematics Reference Sheets are publicly available on PARCC’s assessment administration
website. However, only the reference sheets shipped to schools along with other testing materials are
allowed during the paper-based administration of PARCC tests. In other words, reference sheets used in
the classroom prior to testing are not allowed during testing.
Questions about Computer-Based Administration
1. What happens if the power or Internet go out during the test?
Full guidance about technology interruptions can be found in Section 6.8.1 of any of the Test
Administrator Manuals for Computer-Based Testing. When a technology disruption occurs, Test
Administrators should note the time of the disruption, follow troubleshooting procedures, allow the
student(s) to resume testing once the issue is resolved—adjusting the testing time for the student(s) as
needed based on the time of the disruption, and document the event in writing.
2. When will my school receive paper copies of the Test Coordinator Manual and the Test
Administrator Manuals? How many will my school receive?
Manuals will be shipped two weeks prior to the beginning of your state’s testing window. Manuals may
be shipped directly to your school or through your district, as defined in your state’s policy located in
Appendix C of the Test Coordinator Manual.
Schools that are participating in the computer-based administration will receive one copy of the Test
Coordinator Manual per school and one Test Administrator Manual (for each grade/subject being
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administered at your school) for every 25 students. The Test Coordinator Manual and Test Administrator
Manuals will be shipped along with other paper-based materials. Districts will also receive copies of the
Test Coordinator Manual.
3. Can my school order copies of the Mathematics reference sheets through the additional orders
window?
Printed copies of the Mathematics reference sheets are available only for paper-based testing. Schools
and/or LEAs may make local copies of the Mathematics reference sheets for computer-based testing (if
desired), which are available on PARCC’s Assessment Administration website.
4. What do you do if you have a new student to test for computer-based administration who was not
included in the initial registration?
The School Test Coordinator or District Test Coordinator should add the student manually into
PearsonAccessnext. For information on how to manually add a student’s registration, please see the
Create and Edit Student Records page on the PearsonAccessnext User Guide.
5. During testing, may Test Administrators answer student questions about TestNav navigation or
the testing tools (e.g., drag and drop)?
No. Test Administrators may assist students with logging in/logging out of a test or if there are technical
errors (i.e., errors screens), but may not assist students during the test with test content, TestNav
navigation, or item functionality. Further guidance is available in Section 6.8.2 of the Test Administrator
Manual.
6. What are testing tickets and when are testing tickets available?
Student Testing Tickets are usernames and passwords that are generated for students to access their
PARCC tests. Test Administrators provide students with testing tickets during administration to access
their individual tests. Student Testing Tickets may be printed by the School Test Coordinator as soon as
the test session in PearsonAccessnext is created. Note that Student Testing Tickets are secure testing
materials.
7. How many testing tickets does a student have – one per unit or test session (PBA/EOY)?
One per PearsonAccessnext test session per content area. Students will use the same Student Testing
Ticket for all units within a test session (except if you move a student to a different PearsonAccessnext
test session - this will generate a new testing ticket for that student). Note that Student Testing Tickets
are secure testing materials and must be collected after each unit.
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8. Can you print multiple testing tickets per page?
Yes. PearsonAccessnext enables School Test Coordinators to print Student Testing Tickets in several
different formats, including one-by-one, four per page, or in a grid format. When you have a test session
open, select the “Download Resources” dropdown menu, and there will be options listed under Student
Testing Tickets.
9. What are Seal Codes and when are Seal Codes available?
Seal Codes are numerical codes that Test Administrators provide to students to unlock units during
administration. There will be one Seal Code per testing unit for a testing group. Test Administrators
write the Seal Code number on the board when prompted to do so in the administration scripts. Seal
Codes may be printed by the School Test Coordinator as soon as the test session in PearsonAccessnext is
created. Note that Seal Codes are secure testing materials.
10. Can you print multiple Seal Codes on one page?
Yes. All of the Seal Codes for a test session (e.g., ELA/L PBA, Mathematics EOY) will be printed on one
page.
11. What’s the difference between “Resumed” and “Resumed-Upload” student statuses?
If a connection was lost during a test and a student is ready to continue testing, the Test Administrator
will resume the student, but the Test Administrator may see the student listed as “Resumed-upload.”
This means that the student is ready to resume testing, but that test responses may have to still upload
from the previous test unit. For more information, please see the PearsonAccessnext User Guide on
Resuming a Test.
12. If I have a student who unplugs the external keyboard for a tablet during the administration,
should I insist that the student use the external keyboard?
No. Although external keyboards are required to be provided for the PARCC assessments, if a student
manually unplugs the keyboard during administration and insists on using the tablet without a keyboard,
the Test Administrator does not need to redirect the student to use the keyboard. In order to maintain
comparability, schools should use the keyboards and also offer students an opportunity to try out
sample items using the keyboards (especially if schools do not use keyboards in instruction).
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13. Why can’t students change the volume during testing?
The volume control can look like a process that is not allowed in TestNav8. Therefore, in some
instances, changing the volume during testing may result in a student being kicked out of a test.
Therefore, the administration script reminds students to check the volume prior to logging into the test.
14. Can students copy and paste into an open-response box during testing?
Students cannot copy and paste from questions or passages into an extended response box on
ELA/Literacy assessments or onto the Notepad tool. However, a student will be able to copy text that he
or she has typed into the Notepad and paste it into the extended response area.
15. If a student types notes in the Notepad tool for computer-based testing, will the student’s same
notes appear for each question?
No. Notes are saved by question. For example, if a student typed a note in the Notepad tool for
Question 1, that note will not appear when the student opens the Notepad tool in Question 2. If the
student returns to question 1 later in the Unit, the notes previously entered for question 1 will appear.
For this reason, students may prefer to use their scratch paper to write notes.
16. If a student uses the highlighter tool on a passage for computer-based testing, will the student’s
same highlights appear for each question with the same passage?
No. All highlighting is saved by question. For example, if a student highlights a word in the passage while
on Question 1, that highlighting will not appear when the student navigates to Question 2. If the student
returns to Question 1 later in the Unit, the highlighting previously applied for Question 1 will appear.
Questions about Paper-Based Administration
1. What do you do if you have a new student to test for paper-based administration who was not
included in the initial registration?
The School Test Coordinator should add the student manually into PearsonAccessnext. For information on
how to manually add a student’s registration, please see the Create and Edit Student Records page on
the PearsonAccessnext User Guide. The school or LEA/district may need to complete an additional order
for the testing materials.
2. The Test Coordinator Manual states that Student ID Labels should be applied after administration,
but my state currently applies them before testing. Do I need to follow this guideline in the
manual, or should I follow my state’s current practice?
Check your state policy in Appendix C of the Test Coordinator Manual. For this particular procedure,
schools should follow their state practice, unless otherwise specified in Appendix C.
3. How soon before administration may I open the shrink-wrapped packages of materials?
Section 3.1 of the Test Coordinator Manual states that shrink-wrapped packages can be opened at the
school level no earlier than two school days prior to the day of testing, except for the purpose of
preparing for certain accommodations. States may have additional guidance located in Appendix C of
the Test Coordinator Manual.
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4. Will my students use test booklets or answer documents?
For the spring 2015 administration, students will use consumable test booklets (i.e., combined test and
answer booklets that students also use to record their responses) at all grade levels. Students will use
and record answers in the answer spaces provided in the test booklets only.
5. When will my school receive paper-based materials?
Materials will be shipped two weeks prior to the beginning of your state’s testing window. Materials
may be shipped directly to your school or through your district, as defined in your state’s policy located
in Appendix C of the Test Coordinator Manual.
6. When will my school receive paper copies of the Test Coordinator Manual and the Test
Administrator Manuals? How many will my school receive?
Schools that are participating in the spring administration will receive one print copy of the Test
Coordinator Manual per school and one print Test Administrator Manual (for each grade/subject being
administered at your school) for every 25 students. Manuals will be shipped along with other paperbased materials (two weeks prior to the beginning of your state’s testing window). Manuals are also
available online on PARCC’s Training and Manuals website.
7. Will schools and districts receive an overage of materials?
Yes. Schools will receive a 5% overage of test materials (i.e., test booklets, test manuals). Districts will
also receive a 5% overage of test materials, unless a district opts out of receiving this overage.
8. Does my school or district need to order materials?
If your district or school uploaded a Student Registration Import file by the deadline (which varies by
state), then your initial shipment of materials will be automatically ordered. If a school or district
submitted a file after the deadline, then the district will have to manually order materials through
PearsonAccessnext. Note that pre-printed student ID labels will not be provided if a school missed the
Student Registration Import deadline.
9. What is the procedure for ordering additional materials? Can you call or place the order online?
You may either order additional materials online through PearsonAccessnext or call the PARCC Support
Center (888-493-9888). Additional orders must be approved by the state prior to shipping. After
approval, additional orders take 2–3 business days before being shipped. For details about how to place
an additional order, see the Manage Orders page on the PearsonAccessnext User Guide.
10. My school appears to be missing materials. What should I do?
If schools are missing secure materials assigned to them on their Security Checklist and Packing List,
schools or districts (depending on state policy) should complete the Form to Report Contaminated,
Damaged, or Missing Materials in Appendix E in the Test Coordinator Manual. In addition, schools
should order any missing materials through the additional orders function on PearsonAccessnext.
11. My school appears to have received the wrong shipment. What should I do?
Call the PARCC Support Center immediately at 888-493-9888.
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12. Can students use highlighters on test booklets?
Yes. Students may use highlighters on paper-based test booklets. Students should not highlight on
answer responses as this may impact scanning, processing, and possibly scoring.
13. Why can’t a student highlight the response areas?
A highlighter may mix with a pencil mark causing it to smudge. Therefore, students should not highlight
in the answer response areas to avoid this issue.
14. May students bring their own highlighters to use on PARCC tests?
Yes.
15. May students leave crossed out answers in the test booklet or otherwise make any stray marks?
Students should erase any additional marks in response areas or near scanning marks on test booklets,
other than the answer they have written or selected. Additional marks may interfere with scanning and
processing. They will need to do any additional work on their scratch paper. Once a test booklet is
turned in to the Test Administrator (student indicates he/she is complete or testing time has expired),
the student cannot return to the Unit.
16. What is a stray mark?
A stray mark is any mark in a test booklet that does not represent a student’s final response (e.g.
crossed out answers, notes), including outside of the response boxes, near response areas, or near scan
marks. Stray marks should be erased by students prior to turning in a final test to avoid any situations
where a book or responses may not scan properly.
17. Can a student use the eliminate answer strategy?
Yes. Students may cross out an answer choice, but must avoid making this mark within the response
area.
For example, this is acceptable because the student has avoided the response area:
This example is not acceptable because the student has made the mark in the response area:
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18. Can Test Administrators inspect test booklets after testing is complete to ensure all stray marks
have been erased or that highlighting has not occurred near response areas?
No. Instructions are provided in the administration scripts to remind students not to make stray marks
in the test booklets. In accordance with Section 2.5 of the Test Administrator Manual, Test
Administrators may not inspect students’ test booklets.
19. Can students use sticky notes during testing?
No. Sticky notes may not be used during paper-based administration, because the adhesive may
interfere with scanning and scoring.
20. For open-ended questions, how many pages do students have to write essays or responses?
In ELA/Literacy for grade 3, there are two lined pages. In other grades for ELA/Literacy, there are four
lined pages. In Mathematics, it varies, but there is generally a full page for each of those items.
Responses must fit within the space provided in order to be scored.
21. How should students mark their responses for the mathematics fill-in-the-blank items?
For students taking the computer-based version, fill-in-the-blank items have one box for students to
type their answers into (there is not an individual box for each digit of their answer). When students
type their answer in these boxes, the response automatically starts at the left side of the box.
For students taking the paper-based version, students have a grid to write in their answer and then fill in
corresponding circles under each part of their answer. On the Gridded Response items, students can
write their answer left-justified, right-justified, or in the middle as long as there are no spaces within the
digits of their answer. Grades 6 and higher use a grid with a negative sign in the far left column. Negative
answers must be left justified so that there is no space between the negative sign and the digits in the
rest of the answer. The corresponding circle under a negative sign in an answer must be filled in.
On decimals, students can use leading zeros (or not). PARCC does not recommend encouraging students
to use more than one leading zero or any “extra” zeros to the right of their answer (e.g., “0.25 or .25”
instead of “000.25 or 0.2500”). The decimal point gets its own box and must be filled in on the decimal
point row of the grid.
22. For answer grids on paper-based Mathematics tests, can a student right justify instead of left
justify?
Yes. On the paper-based testing, “fill in the blank” items will have a grid to fill in the answer and then
bubble in below the grid. On the gridded-response items, students can write their answer left-justified,
right-justified, or in the middle as long as there are no spaces within the digits of their answer. Grades 6
and higher use a grid with a negative sign in the far left column. Negative answers must be left justified
so that there is no space between the negative sign and the digits in the rest of the answer (this is why
directions were written to guide students to left justify answers.
23. How does my school schedule a pick-up for test materials?
All details regarding pick-up of paper-based materials can be found in Section 6.23 of the Test
Coordinator Manual. If your state policy, located in Appendix C of the Test Coordinator Manual, states
that materials ship to and from your district, you must return materials to your district and the district
may call to schedule a pick-up through UPS (Maryland schools should refer to their state policy). If your
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state policy states that materials ship to and from your school, the School Test Coordinator must call
UPS to schedule a pick-up. Pick-ups can be scheduled at any time after testing but must occur no later
than one week after the testing window ends.
Question about Make-up Testing
1. Can units be taken out-of-order?
For make-up testing only, units may be taken out-of-order.
2. How does out-of-order testing work for computer-based tests?
PearsonAccessnext has a new functionality for computer-based tests that enable a Test Administrator to
skip a unit for a student to allow them to continue testing with his or her original testing group. To do
so, a School Test Coordinator or designee would log into PearsonAccessnext prior to testing and manually
mark at which unit a student will begin.
For example, if a student misses the first testing unit, the Test Administrator or School Test Coordinator
would manually mark that the student will begin at Unit 2, rather than Unit 1. When the student logs
into their test at the beginning of Unit 2, TestNav will automatically bring the student to Unit 2, rather
than Unit 1. The student will not see any differences when testing out-of-order.
3. Where can I find directions for how to test out-of order for the purposes of make-up testing?
For more information, please see the Make-up Testing Directions for Computer-Based Testing.
4. Do I need to move the student into a new “make-up” Test Session if he or she is absent on the day
of testing?
No. This is not required. Please see the Make-up Testing Directions for Computer-Based Testing for
more information.
5. Will students see any difference in TestNav if they test out-of-order?
No. All the steps to do this are done by the School Test Coordinator or designee prior to testing. The
student will not see any difference in the system while testing in TestNav8. However, the student(s) may
have different log out instructions, depending on their order of testing.
6. For a student who is absent for Unit 1, once I change the “Set Section Start" to Unit 2 and he or she
completes this Unit, will this student’s test automatically resume to Unit 1 when logging back in?
No. The School Test Coordinator or designee will have to change the student’s “Section Start” to Unit 1.
If this is not done, the student’s test will begin at the end of Unit 2 (or at the beginning of Unit 3 if that is
the final unit).
7. For a student who completed Unit 1 and is absent for Unit 2, once I change the “Set Section Start"
to Unit 3 and he or she completes this Unit, will this student’s test automatically resume to Unit 2
when logging back in?
No. The Test Administrator or School Test Coordinator will have to manually change the student’s
“Section Start” to Unit 2. If this is not done, the student’s test will pick up at the end of Unit 3.
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8. For a student who is absent for Unit 1 and Unit 2, once I change the “Section Start" to Unit 3 and
he or she completes this Unit, will this student’s test automatically resume to Unit 1 when logging
back in?
No. The School Test Coordinator or designee will have to manually change the student’s “Section Start”
to Unit 1. If this is not done, the student’s test will pick up at the end of Unit 3.
9. In the drop-down menu from the “Start Section Set” screen, I see a “DO NOT USE” option. What is
this?
School/LEA staff should disregard this option. This is a placeholder for sections of the test that are not
appropriate to use when starting a Unit.
10. For the EOY, if a student is absent for Unit 1 and starts testing with Unit 2, should the student take
the survey at the end of Unit 2?
Yes, the student should take the survey after Unit 2.
11. If all students in an ELA/Literacy session have not finished testing, can the Mathematics session
still start as planned? For example, 29 of Mrs. Smith’s 30 students finished all three Units of the
ELA/Literacy test on Wednesday. Can she still start her Mathematics session on Thursday?
Yes. Schools and LEAs have discretion in scheduling content areas and do not have to administer any
one content area first before administering the other. Schools/LEAs may also alternate content areas
(e.g., administer Unit 1 of the ELA/Literacy PBA, then Unit 1 of Mathematics PBA, then Unit 2 of
ELA/Literacy PBA).
12. If a student needs a make-up session for ELA/Literacy and Mathematics, does one content area
need to be completed before the student can be moved into a make-up Test Session in the other
content area?
No. Since ELA/Literacy and Mathematics are treated as separate and distinct Test Sessions, each unit
within each Test Session (subject) can be administered out-of-order at any time for make-up testing. As
a reminder, standard (e.g. non-make-up) test administration requires that units within a Test Session
(subject) must be administered in sequential order (e.g., Unit 1 then Unit 2).
13. If a student skips a Unit and completes the final Unit (e.g., Unit 3 for ELA/Literacy PBA in all
grades) prior to the make-up of the missed Unit, will the “Submit Final Answers” button be
available?
Yes. The “Submit Final Answers” button will be available at the end of the final Unit, regardless of
whether the previous Units have been completed. It is important in these instances that the student
NOT select “Submit Final Answers” after completing this Unit as this step should not be done until all
Units have been completed.
14. May students from different grades complete make-up Test Sessions in the same room, even if
they cannot be combined into one Test Session in PearsonAccessnext?
Yes, if the Units have the same Unit Testing Time and use the same administration script, they may be
tested in one room, unless otherwise directed by your state. Keep in mind that these students may
technically be in separate PearsonAccessnext Test Sessions, and Test Administrators will have to ensure
the students get the correct Seal Code and Student Testing Ticket for their Test Session.
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15. May students from different grades be combined into one Test Session on PearsonAccessnext?
No. Unless students were in the same original PearsonAccessnext Test Session, they cannot be combined
into a separate Make-up Test Session. However, Test Administrators may use the “Combine Session”
view to monitor multiple Test Sessions at one time.
Accessibility Features and Accommodations for PARCC Administration
1. Where can I find more information about PARCC’s accessibility features and accommodations
policies?
The PARCC Accessibility Features and Accommodations Manual is available on PARCC Online. The PARCC
Accessibility, Accommodations, and Fairness website also contains implementation guidance.
2. What is the difference between accessibility features and accommodations?
Accessibility features are tools or preferences that are either built into the assessment system or
provided externally by Test Administrators and are available to all students. Accommodations are
adjustments to the test format and presentation, timing, or the method in which students respond to
test questions that provide equitable access for students with disabilities, students who are English
learners, and students with disabilities who are also English learners. Accommodations must be listed in
a student’s IEP, 504 plan, or an EL plan (if required by your state). For more information on selecting,
administering, and monitoring accessibility features and accommodations, refer to the PARCC
Accessibility Features and Accommodations Manual. Accommodations and accessibility features for
students taking paper-based tests are listed in Appendix A of the PARCC Accessibility Features and
Accommodations Manual.
3. Does the PARCC Human-Reader Protocol in Appendix B allow the test proctors to read the
questions as well as instructions?
If a student requires a human reader for the Mathematics assessment (as an accessibility feature) or for
the English Language Arts/Literacy assessment (as a rare accommodation for students with disabilities),
then the human reader can read the full text of the assessment in accordance with the guidance in
Appendix B and in Appendices I and J(Audio Guidelines for Math and ELA/Literacy) of the PARCC
Accessibility Features and Accommodations Manual.
4. I have a student with a particular accommodation that I do not see listed in the PARCC Student
Registration file. What do I do?
Not all accommodations are listed in the Student Registration file -only a few that are specific to special
forms of the paper-based tests, like Braille, Large Print, and human reader (in which case two identical
booklets will be shrink-wrapped together). The other accommodations and accessibility features are in
the Personal Needs Profile (PNP). You may want to review the list of available accessibility features and
accommodations in the PARCC Accessibility Features and Accommodations Manual to determine which
accommodations are allowed. If the list of available accessibility features and accommodations does not
address the availability of the accommodation in question, schools may apply for a “unique
accommodation” using the PARCC Unique Accommodation Form, located in Appendix F of the PARCC
Accessibility Features and Accommodations Manual (also available in the Appendix of the Test
Coordinator Manual).
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5. Are reference sheets/organizers allowed for students?
Individualized graphic organizers, reference sheets, checklists, etc. are not permitted on any PARCC
tests. During administration, students will have access to scratch paper, which may be blank, lined, or
graph paper. In addition, students in grades 5 and higher will be provided Mathematics Reference
Sheets.
6. Which word-to-word bilingual dictionaries are allowed on the PARCC assessments and for whom?
Word-to-word bilingual dictionaries are allowed as an accommodation for English learners only. All
dictionaries must be published word-to-word dictionaries with no phrases, pictures, or definitions.
Electronic translators are not permitted, unless a print copy is unavailable, in which case a unique
accommodations request must be made.
7. On an English version of the math test, will students be allowed to respond in Spanish?
For Mathematics only, an English learner may respond in Spanish or in another native language only if
this is identified as an accommodation prior to testing. The decision to implement this policy will be
made at the state level. Transcription will be necessary prior to returning the Test Booklet for scoring.
Check with your state policy on transcribing and responding in other languages.
8. Do students with accommodations need to be tested in a separate group?
It is recommended to test students with the extended time accommodation (i.e., certain students with
disabilities and English learners) in a separate setting to minimize distractions for all students and to
schedule these students for testing in the morning so their testing time can be extended until the end of
the school day, if needed. The human reader accommodation must always be administered in a
separate setting (either one-on-one or in a small group). Students with the scribe or speech-to-text
accommodation must be tested in a separate setting.
9. What are the administration and technical protocols for a scribe accommodation?
Students using a human scribe or external assistive devices (e.g., speech-to-text device) should be tested
in a separate setting. Refer to Appendix C: Protocol for the Use of the Scribe Accommodation in the
PARCC Accessibility Features and Accommodations Manual for more details about administrative
protocols.
10. What is the font size for large-print accommodated paper-based forms?
Large print booklets are 150% of Verdana 12 point (roughly 18-point font size).
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Resources
Test Administration
General Training
and Manuals
PARCC
Assessment
Administration
website
Spring Test
Coordinator
Manual
Sample Items
Practice Tests
Tutorials
http://parcc.pearson.com/manuals-training
http://parcconline.org/assessment-administration-guidance
http://parcc.pearson.com/manuals-training OR
http://avocet.pearson.com/PARCC/Home#6417
http://parcc.pearson.com/sample-items/
http://parcc.pearson.com/practice-tests/
http://parcc.pearson.com/tutorial/
Accommodations and Accessibility Features
PARCC
Accommodations
and Accessibility
Features Manual
Technology
http://www.parcconline.org/parcc-accessibility-features-and-accommodationsmanual
Technology
Setup
PearsonAccessnext
User Guide
http://parcc.pearson.com/technology-setup/
https://support.assessment.pearson.com/display/PAsup/PearsonAccess+Next+O
nline+User+Guide
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