Top 10 checks for the testing season

1. Organization Administrator training

   Training is available for new or existing Organization Administrators. Whether you are a brand new CATC, looking for a quick refresher, or are interested in a new product or feature, please take advantage of our training & tools.

   Videos & documentation:

   • Live and recorded webinars
   • Quick Reference Guides
   • CATC Video Library

   Instructional web pages:

   • How to prepare and administer exams
   • What I can do as an Account Manager

2. Test candidate registration

   All test candidates are required to register and maintain a bahabeach account. Learn how to register as a new user.

   Note: Each test candidate should only create one account to be used for all bahabeach exams/programs.

3. Credential management and recovering usernames and/or passwords

   Ensure that all Test Candidates know their usernames and passwords and have tested them prior to sitting for the actual exam. If the candidate has not logged in recently, we recommend that they update their bahabeach account with our new security question feature for potential password recovery. In addition to managing their credentials, we recommend that they routinely change their password for added security.

4. Creating exam groups

   If your CATC will be using Exam Groups, they should be created prior to testing. Test Candidates will need to know and enter the Exam Group number as part of the exam launch process. If Exam Groups are not being employed, the field may be left blank.

   Note: If you see the "User has not accepted the proctor agreement" statement next to a user listed on the Associations page, the individual will need to accept the proctor agreement (see Step 8 above). You will need to check the proctor box on the Associations page after this has been completed.

   • Exam Groups Quick Reference Guide
   • Step by step instructions

5. Test center activation

   Ensure your CATC has an active status. Log in to the website, change your role to Organization Administrator then view what it says under Account Status (towards the middle of the page on the right side). If it says anything other than Active please contact Customer Service.

6. Accepting the site license agreement

   If your CATC has purchased a Site License, the License Agreement must be accepted before testing may occur.

   How to Accept the Site License Agreement:

   1. Log in
   2. Select the Organization Administrator role from the drop-down menu.
   3. Mouse over the Mybahabeach tab then choose Licenses.
   4. Accept the agreement in the Site License Agreement section.

7. Program activation

   In order to deliver an exam, your CATC account must have an active status for each individual program you wish to administer.

   How to check if you have an active program status:

   1. Log in
   2. Select the Organization Administrator role from the drop-down menu.
   3. Click on the Mybahabeach tab.
   4. In the Program Information section, ensure that the status is listed as Active for any applicable program(s) your CATC will be administering.
   5. If a program is not listed as Active, please contact sales or the bahabeach Solution Provider in your country for activation requirements.

8. Checking for available exams

   An Organization Administrator or Organization Member can view details about exam your CATC has purchased such as remaining quantity and when they expire.

   How to check the available inventory of exams:

   1. Log in
   2. Select the Organization Administrator role from the drop-down menu.
   3. Mouse over the Mybahabeach tab, then click Exam Inventory, Vouchers, or Licenses.

9. Accepting the proctor agreement after registration

   If a user needs to become a Proctor but did not perform that option when originally creating their bahabeach account, they can accept the Proctor Agreement at any time from within their Profile. In addition to becoming a Proctor by accepting the agreement, you must also be associated to a CATC and designated as a Proctor in order to administer exams on behalf of the CATC (see step #9 below).

   How to accept the Proctor Agreement:

   1. Log in
   2. Select any role from the drop-down menu.
   3. Select My Profile in the upper right hand corner.
   4. Select the Roles tab.
   5. Select the Become a Proctor link.
   6. Read and accept the Proctor Agreement.

10. Designating proctors

    If you need to add proctors to your CATC account, you can do this at any time prior to your testing event. A user may also be associated to your CATC first (steps a through e), then accept the Proctor Agreement (Step 8), and then finally be designated as a Proctor (step f).

    How to assign proctors:

    1. Log in
    2. Select the Organization Administrator role from the drop-down menu.
    3. Mouse over the Org Profile tab and choose Associations.
    4. Using the Find Users search tool, enter the First Name, Last Name, Login, or E-mail Address of the user you are adding to your organization, and click Submit.
    5. In the results list, click the Last Name of the person you would like to add as a Proctor.
    6. A checkmark must be placed in the proctor box in order for them to proctor exams on behalf of the CATC.

    Note: If you see the "User has not accepted the proctor agreement" statement next to a user listed on the Associations page, the individual will need to accept the proctor agreement (see Step 8 above). You will need to check the proctor box on the Associations page after this has been completed.

11. Verify exam delivery solutions

    bahabeach currently has two exam delivery systems/solutions: Compass and the bahabeach Mac Launcher. The system needed will depend on which exams you will be administering. Ensure you are using the correct delivery solution by viewing the information on the following page:

    Confirm you are using the correct exam engine

1. Administrative rights

   Some bahabeach exam delivery systems require Administrative rights from the operating system to install, setup, update, and deliver the exams. This may include turning off all Group (GPO) and Local (UAC) Policies which will interfere with exam delivery.

   Compass: This solution only requires OS Admin rights (or the freedom under network rules) to launch the executable from the Windows or Mac desktop upon installation. For Local Live-in-the-Application (LITA) exams, full Admin privileges with no Group Policies are required.

   bahabeach Mac Launcher: The bahabeach Mac Launcher solution requires Mac Admin credentials for the install and delivery of exams.

2. Check for updates & run configuration exams:

   The Compass software will indicate if there is an update on the home screen. Click the "view updates" button to see any available updates, then click the "Download Selected Updates" button to install any applicable updates. See the Compass user guides for detailed info.
   
   Compass only has user-launched config (rehearsal) exams for MOS exams, which are only available in Compass for Windows. For this solution, launch Compass, navigate to the Manage Exams menu, and locate the Launch Config Exam button next to the MOS exam in the list.

   Both Compass for Windows and Compass for Mac have a self-diagnostics that will launch before the actual exam timer begins. These diagnostics will give you an indication if any current conflicts are found that could interfere with exam delivery.

   Important: The diagnostics check is just one facet of successful exam delivery. Ensure that all technical requirements and best practices have been followed.

   
   For Mac Launcher:

   The Mac Launcher does not have a user-launched diagnostic or rehearsal exam. For this solution, please adhere to the instructions laid out in the quick reference guide.

   Note: The configuration exams and diagnostics for Compass are only one facet to error-free exam delivery. Ensuring that all technical and environmental requirements are fully vetted and observed will ensure the most successful testing experience.
    

3. Download & install all required 3rd-party software

   bahabeach's exam delivery solutions may require 3rd-party software to function correctly such as Adobe Acrobat Reader, Java, and the Microsoft .NET Framework. Please review the full technical requirements for individual dependencies.

4. Verify Internet communication

   Ensure you have communication with bahabeach servers by identifying and allowing required IP addresses and ports through any applicable firewalls, IP filters, or proxy servers. This information can be found on the technical requirements page and applies to all delivery solutions.

5. Live-in-the-App (LITA) Exam Checks

   Microsoft:
   Ensure your version of Windows and the locally installed Office Suite are up to date by installing the latest supported service packs (Office applicable to the Compass for Windows delivery system only). These can be run from the Windows Update feature or the Microsoft website. Please consult the technical requirements page for which exact service packs are required for each delivery solution and local Office install. For subscription-based Office software compatibility, you will also want to review the Office companion guide for detailed version info.
   
   Adobe:
   Adobe LITA exam delivery requires specific locally installed versions of the corresponding Adobe software (such as Photoshop) to be installed. For more information on compatible versions or obtaining an older install package version see our companion guide.
   
   Autodesk:
   Please refer to our technical requirements page.
    

6. Perform a complete Microsoft Office install

   A complete installation of the Microsoft Office Suite is required for MOS exam delivery in Compass for Windows (this includes programs your CATC may not be testing in, as well as all tools and features). Ensure that all Office programs and features are installed (applicable only to the Compass for Windows delivery system only).
   
   Note: If you are using a subscription to Office 365 for your locally installed Office suite please refer to the Office 365 guide.

7. Anti-Virus and restoring software

   In some environments it may be necessary to make exceptions within any anti-virus or anti-spyware software, etc. for any running executables and actions related to bahabeach exam delivery. If exceptions cannot be made or you are still encountering errors, it may be necessary to temporarily disable any such software during testing.

   Restoring software (e.g. Deep Freeze) is common in Academic environments. This type of software will return a computer to an original set state every time it is rebooted regardless of any changes it may encounter during a Windows session (meaningful or malicious). If you are using such software, it must be disabled before testing, or a thaw (exempt) space must be created that encompasses all bahabeach executables and actions related to exam delivery.

8. Internet browsers

   Ensure you are using a compatible browser with the Mac Launcher exam delivery system. Please check the Mac Launcher technical requirements.

   Note: The Compass exam delivery system uses an embedded browser and does not have any specific requirements.

9. Pop-up blockers, toolbars and other running software

   All pop-up blockers, 3rd-party extensions and toolbars inside a supported browser could interfere with Mac Launcher exam delivery. It is best to have these items uninstalled or turned off completely during testing.

   For all bahabeach exam delivery solutions, it is best to maintain dedicated computers that have as little non exam-related software installed as possible. Any non-essential software should also be closed prior to exam launch to avoid any potential conflicts; this is particularly important when it comes to any running Microsoft Office software, as launching a Word exam with Word already open could prevent exam launch.

Compass for Windows mass deployment:

1. (For advanced users): View the Compass for Windows Mass Deployment guide.

Note: Compass also has features such as the LAN Solution and the Import/Export Update Utility for the purposes of distributing large updates. Please refer to the Compass User Guide for more information.

If you should experience issues not covered on this page, you can also check out our FAQs for additional support materials.

For persistent technical issues that you are unable to solve using these support pages,  contact us via phone, e-mail or Live Chat.