Online FAQ

What does *** WARNING: Potential configuration problem, click here for more details *** mean? I’m seeing this before I can even login to an assessment.
A proactive step has determined your internet browser is not capable of using some of the activities inside the assessment system. If you see this message next to the activity you want (i.e. “Take an assessment”), you should click the red message, because it will reveal easy-to-follow instructions for you to resolve the problem.

I’m seeing A Program on Your Computer is not allowing Popup Windows before I can login to the assessments. Why do I have to disable my popup blocker?
The assessment system uses popup windows to create an environment suitable for taking assessments, including security for proctors and user-friendly help pages.
Popup-blockers can come from many sources. Internet browsers, like Internet Explorer and Safari, have their own popup-blocking techniques that can be turnedoff. Other popular browser “helpers”, like toolbars from Google, Yahoo, and AOL, can also block popup windows.
The page you are seeing shows you how to disable your internet browser’s popupblocker. You should also look for any toolbars on your browser and disable their popup-blocking capabilities.

What does Your browser is blocking JavaScript and is not permitted to use the Online Assessment System mean? I’m seeing this before I can even login to an assessment.
JavaScript is a language that tells your browser how to help you navigate through web pages. Internet browsers have settings that allow it to ignore JavaScript, and your browser is doing this.
In addition to making navigation easier JavaScript is used in our system to help proctors secure the testing environment. Your browser needs to allow the JavaScript to work correctly, so please follow the instructions on the page to fix this problem.

I’m seeing Your Browser is not supported and is prohibited from using the Online Assessment System, but I’m using Internet Explorer 7 – and you support Internet Explorer 6. Why won’t it let me in? The newer version should be better, right?
Internet Explorer 7 is still only in release candidate status (RC1) – a status that is somewhere between beta-testing and officially released. Although RC1 is probably good enough for generally browsing the World Wide Web, the more-mature version is preferred for critical tasks – like assessment-taking.
When version 7 is officially released, we will be supporting it soon thereafter.

Why don’t you support other internet browsers, like Firefox? Isn’t Firefox a moresecure browser?
All browsers we support are considered “secure” within our assessment system, because unlike some ill-behaving public websites – our sites do not run harmful code on your computers via the browser.
The most important element for taking assessments is efficiently delivering assessments in an environment that is proctor-friendly and user-friendly, while keeping setup to a minimal-to-no effort from administrators and users. The browsers we have chosen to support best equip us with the tools to establish that environment.

How secure is the information I enter? For example, I don’t want anybody to steal my Identification Number.
The VeriSign logo on the login page denotes that your activity is protected using the same technology that protects sensitive web transactions throughout the banking industry, eCommerce websites, Web Shopping Carts, and more. Starting with the login page, every page throughout the assessment system is protected – including your personal information.

The VeriSign logo is shown only on the login page. Does that mean only the login page is secure?
Graphics and images – like the VeriSign logo – require additional time to load into your browser. It would be irresponsible for us to show it during your assessment, because it would require more time to load each question – essentially slowing down your test. Therefore, we show it only on the login page.