SHLsolutionsPCSpecsUnsupervisedAbilityTests1

Computer Specifications & Settings for Unsupervised SHLsolutions Ability Assessments PE O PLE PER FO RM AN C E January 2007 Contents SHLsolutions .............................................................................................. 3 Computer Specifications ............................................................................ 3 Web Browser Checking Page ...................................................................... 4 Enabling Macromedia Flash for ASO & Verify Verbal and Numerical Tests......... 5 Enabling Cookies ...................................................................................... 5 Miscellaneous settings ............................................................................... 6 Disabling Pop-up Blockers.......................................................................... 7 Frequently Asked Questions ..................................................................... 10 -2- SHLsolutions These specifications have been put together to assist in the correct setup of computers for unsupervised ability testing on SHLsolutions. Computer Specifications Browser requirements SHLsolutions is optimised for Internet Explorer 5.xx and 6.xx. If you are not sure what browser and version you have, check the 'About' option from the 'Help' menu on your browser. SHLsolutions is NOT compatible with: Apple Macintosh Netscape AOL Internet Explorer Users The SHLsolutions system supports Internet Explorer 5.xx and 6.xx but NOT version 4.xx or earlier. When using Internet Explorer 6.xx you might experience some minor distractions such as cursor flashing or pop-up menus appearing when the cursor is moved to a certain part of the test (graphs, etc.). To avoid this, you can change your Internet. (See Miscellaneous Settings) Browser configuration This site works best when certain browser options are selected (See Computer Setting):     Display resolution - The site will display "properly" at a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels or better. Macromedia Flash needs to be installed Cookies need to be enabled. Temporary Internet Files/Settings/Check for newer versions of stored pages - DO NOT set to "Every visit to the page". Connection speeds SHLsolutions works with a minimum Internet connection of 56 KBPS (minimum) or faster. A slower connection speed is not recommended. Operating Systems SHLsolutions is compatible with Windows 95/98/2000/NT/XP. Apple Macintosh is not supported. -3- Web Browser Checking Page Make sure your browser has the correct configuration by visiting the following site: http://test.shlsolutions.com/browsercheck.html If you do not see the following pages you will need to change you computer settings. Instructions are below. Click on Web Browser Configuration Page to check that your configuration is correct. You should see something like this: Then click on Flash Check Page to make sure you have Flash installed. You should see something like this: Finally, click on Pop-up Check page to check that you do not have pop-up blockers. You should see a separate window appear: -4- Enabling Adobe Flash for ASO & Verify Verbal and Numerical Tests Candidates completing the unsupervised ASO & Verify Verbal and Numerical tests need to have Macromedia Flash installed on their computers. - Macromedia Flash must be installed. This is available as a free download from the supplier's website: http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash - Active Scripting (or JavaScript) should be enabled (using internet explorer, go to Tools>Internet Options>Security>Custom Level) - ActiveX Controls and Plug-ins should be enabled (using internet explorer, go to Tools>Internet Options>Security>Custom Level) Enabling Cookies When the Internet connection is lost during an ability test, the test will continue to run as normal. When the candidate finishes the test, the computer will try to upload the results. If the connection has not been re-established, the computer saves the scores in what is known as a Cookie and this cookie is saved on the computer. To enable the computer to save cookies go to Tools>Internet Options>Privacy. The setting should be Medium or lower. Accept all Cookies will also work well. -5- Miscellaneous settings While in the Advanced tab, also uncheck Enable Image Toolbar. This will disable the Image Toolbar from appearing during the ability test when the candidate moves the mouse over a graph or picture (this only occurs with Internet Explorer 6). In Tools>Internet Options>General, click on Settings in the Temporary Internet Files heading. Select Automatically. This ensures that the test window will continue to appear with all the graphics if the Internet connection is lost. -6- Disabling Pop-up Blockers The tests run in a separate pop-up test window. If you have pop-ups blocked on your computer, the test window will not appear and you will not be able to complete the assessments. Below is a list of the most common pop-up blockers. Please ensure all pop-up blockers are disabled before attempting the tests. Remember to enable them after you have completed the assessments. XP Service Pack 2 – Pop-up Blocker When you install SP2, Pop-up Blocker is turned on in Internet Explorer and set to the medium setting, which means it will block most automatic pop-ups. The default settings for the pop-up blocker allow you to see pop-ups that are opened when you click a link or button on a website. Pop-up Blocker will also play a sound and show the Information Bar when a pop-up is blocked. To Turn Off Pop-up Blocker settings: Open Internet Explorer. On the Tools menu, point to Pop-up Blocker and then click Turn Off Pop-up Blocker. Once the tests have been completed, this can be switched back on as follows: Open Internet Explorer. On the Tools menu, point to Pop-up Blocker and then click Turn On Pop-up Blocker. Please note: To confirm theses changes you will need to close down Internet Explorer and reopen it. Norton Internet Security – Pop-up Blocker To disable Pop-up blocking: Open Norton Internet Security. Double-click 'Ad Blocking'. Disable 'Turn on Pop-up Window Blocking'. Click 'OK'. Restart your computer. To enable Pop-up blocking after test: Open Norton Internet Security. Double-click 'Ad Blocking'. Enable 'Turn on Pop-up Window Blocking'. Click 'OK'. Restart your computer. -7- Google Toolbar Pop-up Blocker If you have the Google Search toolbar installed on your machine, you will need to switch the pop-up blocking off. To switch this on or off you will need to click on the options button on the Google toolbar and check or uncheck the Popup Blocker check box under the Accessories Section. Please note: To confirm these changes, you will need to close down Internet Explorer and reopen it. -8- MSN Pop-up Guard MSN Pop-up Guard is part of the MSN Toolbar. By default it blocks all pop-ups. If you have the MSN Toolbar installed you will need to allow Pop-ups. This can be done by clicking on the down arrow next to the pop-up blocker counter and selecting Allow Pop-ups. Please Note: To confirm these changes, you will need to close down Internet Explorer and reopen it. Yahoo! Toolbar The pop-up blocker in the Yahoo! Toolbar by default blocks all pop-ups. To disable Pop-up blocking click on the icon as in the picture below and un-check Enable PopUp Blocker. To enable Pop-Up blocking after the test, click on the icon as in the picture above and check Enable Pop-Up Blocker. -9- Frequently Asked Questions I could not download the test. The test window does not appear at all. You might have an anti spamming program (or pop-up blocker) installed, which is blocking the test window from popping up. Temporarily disable any pop-up blocking programs if the test window does not initially appear. Remember to reactivate these once you have finished testing. (See Disabling Pop-up Blockers). I get the following window when I try to do the Practice Test. This message will come up if your Internet Security settings are not correct. Go into Tools>Internet Options>Security>Custom Level. Select Medium and click on Reset, then OK. - 10 - The test window says Flash is not enabled and not supported. This window will appear if Flash is not installed on the computer. The tests use Macromedia Flash to deliver the tests in a separate pop-up window. Make sure you have the correct version of Flash or download it if you do not have it installed. (See Flash Settings) Results are not saved due to break in Internet connection. If the Internet connection dropped out while you were completing the test, you would receive the following message once you have completed the assessment. Please note that the test will run uninterrupted if the connection drops out. - 11 - Copy the string of numbers from left to right and paste/save into a Word or Excel document. Note down the encrypted number shown above and click on Exit. You should then be asked to ensure the Internet link is back up and running, log back into the site and start the test again. When the test begins to load you may be presented with a screen as shown below. Alternatively, depending on how your system is configured, this will happen automatically and the system will update the results without manual intervention. In both cases, you will be presented with another screen confirming that the results have been submitted. Make sure you click on Exit and then click through any following pages. - 12 - To ensure that these results are saved in the Cookie, please make sure Cookies are enabled. - 13 -