Preparing for and ADMINISTERING the ABMGG IN-TRAINING EXAMINATION

Technical Specifications Preparing for the Exam Proctoring the Exam on Test Day

Technical Specifications The following requirements are necessary to administer an NBME web-based examination. The following requirements are necessary to administer a web-based examination >>

System requirements Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 Mac OS X version 10.8, v10.9, v10.10, v10.11 Minimum 1024 x 768 display with 32 bit color setting Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox or Safari JavaScript, Cookies and CSS Enabled Broadband Internet (DSL, Cable or T1) Network Bandwidth 256Kbps or higher per workstation Dedicated technical support with administrative privileges is required prior to and on test day(s) Quick Highlight of System Requirements

System requirements Exams can be delivered using: Fixed Workstations / Institution Laptops Examinee Personal Laptops Not Allowed are: iPads / Netbooks Virtual Machines & Applications Chief Proctor and examinees must have separate workstations

System requirements Disable Toolbars, Adware or Spyware programs, as they may adversely affect the computer’s performance and cause delays in loading test questions Turn off Windows updates or virus scanner updates to avoid interruptions during testing

Secure browser A Secure Browser is required to administer the exam The Secure Browser “locks down” the web browser and prevents examinees access to other applications while testing The Secure Browser can detect if an examinee is running a program capable of recording exam content The application does not require configuration or administrator rights to install and is downloaded on test day

Workstation certification Must be performed prior to test day on each fixed workstation and institutional laptop The utility is sent via email from ABMGG to the Chief Proctor at 14 and 7 day intervals prior to test day The utility checks the workstations for web-based testing compatibility Extra computers should be tested as back-ups in the event of hardware failure on test day A separate exam compatibility check is available in the Chief Proctor’s Manual for examinees with personal laptops

Workstation certification A separate version of Workstation Certification is available in the Chief Proctor’s Manual for examinees with personal laptops Examinees may be advised to bring their laptop to the Chief Proctor or Technical Support Staff at your test site if a recording application is detected on the examinee’s laptop during the laptop certification process Detected recording applications will not be displayed to the examinee

Workstation certification Detected recording applications will be displayed via the Technical Support Staff ‘s version of Workstation Certification (which includes a ticket number) If an examinee is unable to bring their personal laptop to the Chief Proctor or Technical Support Staff at your test site prior to test day, the examinee may have the laptop tested and certified on exam day

NBME & ABMGG The NBME and the ABMGG will coordinate to provide you with the tools necessary to prepare for and administer the exam >>

PRIOR TO TEST DAY ABMGG will distribute the following Examinee Practice Exam The practice exam allows examinees to interact with the exam interface prior to test day. Chief Proctor Login Provides access to the Chief Proctor Resource site to help you prepare for and administer the exam on test day. Examinee Instruction Sheets Includes examinee ID and instructions for each examinee. You should review and distribute these sheets to examinees on test day. 4 weeks 3 weeks 2 weeks 10 weeks Chief Proctor’s Manual Includes set-up and computer requirements, web testing procedures and instructions on using the Chief Proctor Resource site to administer the exam. Workstation Certification Utility To test fixed workstations and institutional laptops.

PREPARING FOR THE EXAM The Chief Proctor has overall responsibility for specific test administration activities prior to test day and on test day. Preparation is essential prior to test day >>

Prior to test day Secure computer lab or testing room for exam administration Designate a Chief Proctor workstation in the computer lab or testing room Arrange for IT staff at test site to assist with hardware or software problems prior to test day and on test day Assure standard test room and seating arrangements

Prior to test day Review Chief Proctor’s Manual and Video Tutorial to become familiar with the proctoring software and the procedures for proctoring a web-based exam Select assistant proctors for the test session (one for every 20-25 examinees) Notify examinees of opportunity to take practice exam prior to test day to become familiar with the testing interface

Prior to test day Ensure Workstation Certification Utility is run on each fixed workstation and institutional laptop Forward Exam Compatibility Check URL in the “Prior to Test Day” section of the Chief Proctor’s Manual to examinees with personal laptops Confirm the readiness of the facility to deliver exam via the Chief Proctor Resource site

Prior to test day Review the examinee roster on the Chief Proctor Resource site for accuracy Print Examinee Instructions Sheets for test day Print Chief Proctor Login email for test day

PRIOR TO TEST DAY NBME Test Administration Services team provides e-mail and telephone support to Chief Proctors and on-site IT staff prior to test day

Proctoring the Exam on Test Day On test day, the Chief Proctor is responsible for starting the exam, monitoring the progress of the examinees and ending the test session >>

Proctoring the exam on test day Step 1 Prepare examinee workstations and post Exam URL on flipchart or whiteboard. Step 2 Log into Chief Proctor Resource site with username and password. Step 3 Admit examinees to the test room.

Proctoring the exam on Test day Step 4 Distribute Examinee Instruction Sheets. Step 5 Start the exam session from home page of Chief Proctor Resource Site. Step 6 Examinee Start up Code BTTU2 Provide examinees with start-up code from chief proctor workstation. Examinee Start-up Code is generated from the chief proctor’s workstation

Proctoring the exam on Test day Examinee Interface Step 7 Examinee launches Secure Browser. Step 8 Examinee enters Start-up code and biographic information. Step 9 Examinee launches exam. Examinee Start-up Code is generated from the chief proctor’s workstation

Proctoring the exam on Test Day Step 10 Monitor the test session. Step 11 Report incidents on the Test Administration Report. Step 12 End the test session and complete the Test Administration Report.

TROUBLESHOOTING TEST DAY PROBLEMS Chief Proctor Manual includes troubleshooting section and resolution for issues such as: Incorrect Examinee ID or DOB Recording Program Detected Bandwidth Problems/Test Items Load Slowly Screen Freeze Test Site Evacuation Internet Outage

NBME SUPPORT NBME Test Administration Services team provides customer support to chief proctors on test day(s) for any questions or resolution of technical inquiries

Chief Proctor Video Tutorials https://wbt.nbme.org/nbmeresources/wbthelp/videoTutorialsLinksClient.html

Questions Email: nbmewebtest@nbme.org