Get started as a Bahabeach Authorized Testing Center (CATC)

Everything you need to know in between signing up to be a CATC, all the way to delivering your first exam, can be a bit overwhelming. So before you dive in to the details, take a moment to understand the basics of what we do at Bahabeach, and what you'll need to perform to get up and running:

• We are a company that creates and offers certification exams which you (the CATC) then proctors (administers/delivers) to Test Candidates (your customers and/or students).
• We also create the software (system) that is used by our CATCs to deliver those exams, but that software is free and can be downloaded after your organization becomes an approved CATC.
• Our exam delivery software is called Compass and comes in both a Windows and a Mac compatible version, as well as an online/cloud version that works with Windows, Mac, and Chromebooks, plus a remote delivery version (approved CATCs only) for a total of 4 systems.
• Exam and language availability varies across these delivery systems. The different languages that we translate our exams into are called "localizations", and we have localized versions of our exam delivery software as well.
• We have two different types of exams:
  • Selected Response (SR): A typical exam experience containing questions with standard types such as multiple choice, true/false, matching, ordering, etc.
  • Live-in-the-Application (LITA): An exam experience that simulates a real world environment by placing the Test Candidate in the very application in which they are testing. For example, if a Test Candidate is attempting to certify in Microsoft PowerPoint, then Compass opens the actual PowerPoint Office program, and Test Candidates perform the work (in this example, building presentation elements) to obtain the answer.
• LITA exams require not only Compass to be installed, but the corresponding application to be locally installed as well (e.g., Microsoft PowerPoint as in the example above). That way Compass can talk to the application, open it, and populate it with exam content.
• We do have a cloud-based version of Compass that can deliver the LITA exams without having to install the corresponding application, but that system has increased bandwidth requirements. On this page you will find a link to help you choose the delivery system that best fits your needs as a CATC, as well as the baseline technical requirements for those systems.
• The "exam content" is all the data that comprises the questions in both SR and LITA exams and must be downloaded to Compass after it is installed.
  • SR exams: Compass and the Exam Content are required for exam delivery.
  • LITA exams: Compass, the Exam Content, and the Locally Installed app are required for exam delivery.
  Important: Best practice is to download any exam content available for exams your CATC wishes to deliver. However, some exam programs are 100% online (cloud-based) and do not have any exam content to download (you won’t even see them in the list). Additional details can be found on the Choosing a delivery system page.
• LITA exams delivered in Windows also require local Windows Administrator rights in order to facilitate the special relationship Compass needs with the locally installed app and the operating system, but those credentials can be saved in Compass and only applied when the software is running in order to impersonate a Windows Admin. LITA exams delivered in a Mac environment also require Mac Admin rights, but only when installing the software. LITA exams delivered in our cloud-based system also require Admin rights, but only when installing the software.
• Our recommendation is to "Learn, Practice, then Certify". Everything above describes only the "Certify" portion of that journey. We also offer learning products and practice tests, but they are administered through third-party software, or used easily through a browser - they do not employ Compass or authenticate through our website.

A user account is the basis for all functions here at Bahabeach. Whether you will be the one just signing up your organization to be a CATC, or be the person managing it, or proctoring exams, or doing it all, a new user account is where everything begins. 

The account is created right here through Bahabeach.com and you will be automatically assigned the role of "Test Candidate" to begin. All other roles will be built upon this role and you can easily switch in between those roles after you sign in. And yes! If you want to take an exam yourself you will also use this account.

The account will be used for more than just our website:

• At www.Bahabeach.com you will use it for:
  • Managing associations: who else can perform actions on behalf of your CATC.
  • Purchasing: buying licenses or vouchers that can be redeemed for certification exams.
  • Reporting: various reporting functions are available for administrators, proctors, and even teachers.
  • Taking an exam: If you decide to take an exam, this is where you can view your scores, transcripts, and certificates as a Test Candidate.
  • When you are logged in at www.Bahabeach.com under any given role, we call that authenticated area "Portal".
• In the Compass software you will use it for:
  • Software setup & management: Associating your CATC to Compass, configuring settings, and downloading exam content.
  • Proctoring exams: The act of administering a live exam to a Test Candidate.
  • Taking exams: If you are a Proctor but wish to take an exam you will use the same username and password. (Note: You cannot proctor yourself, see the agreement when becoming a Proctor.)

Ready? Follow the instructions on the Registering as a new user page.

For a detailed look at new account creation, please see our user guide.

If you have reviewed the information on this page and are ready to register your organization as a Bahabeach Authorized Testing Center, please see our Register a CATC page. You will:

1. Log in with the user account you created in the previous section. 
2. Select your country and your center type. If you are creating a multi-location center and need assistance, please contact support.
3. Select your business sector and verify accuracy by reading the definition on the right side of the screen.
4. Enter the organization name and other pertinent account information.
5. Accept the Bahabeach Center Agreement by typing your name at the bottom.
6. Click Accept.

A representative will contact you with information regarding the status of your registration. After becoming an active CATC, you will be assigned the additional role of Organization Administrator (a.k.a, Org Admin), at which point you can continue with the remaining steps outlined on this page.

Contact your Sales Consultant to learn about products and pricing, and to place your initial order. Sales Consultants will also activate your testing center.

Log in as an Organization Administrator to buy inventory at the testing center rate.

• Change the role on the drop-down menu at the top to Organization Administrator.
• Click Purchase and follow the instructions to buy exams.

CATC management occurs in the authenticated/logged in areas of our website (a.ka. "Portal"). To access these tools, click Login/Register at the top of the website. Our website provides a variety of account management functionality, determined by your role (e.g., "Organization Administrator" role):

• Manage exam vouchers, inventory, and site licenses - Your purchases that can be redeemed by Test Candidates to take exams.
• Manage associations: Add and distribute rights (e.g., proctoring, reporting, purchasing) to others within your organization.
• Run reports - View reports for a variety of topics including exam results, your inventory (vouchers & licenses), orders, user info, exam groups, and more.
• Print certificates and score reports - Print exam results (pass/fail), or print certificates for passed exams.
• Becoming a Proctor - Follow the steps to become a Proctor and obtain the addtiional role needed to administer exams to Test Candidates.

• Exam Groups - Set up exam groups to apply a unique identifier to a particular group of Test Candidates in order to facilitate specialized tracking and reporting.

Live training sessions are held through an online webinar and a conference call. You will be able to see the trainer's desktop online as they demonstrate administrative account management and test delivery functions. Several prerecorded webinars are also available. More information about upcoming training.

We have a full range of quick reference guides (QRGs) that cover our exam delivery systems, websites, and other operational procedures. See our QRG page for a full list of user guides including an FAQ for CATCs. Also see the FAQ at the end of this page.

Quite possibly the most important item you'll read on this page is remembering to sign up for the CATC newsletter and our notices. Our newsletter is where we will communicate all the critical information you will need to run a successful testing center and to keep up on any changes to our programs and technology. The newsletter contains, but is not limited to, information regarding:

• New programs or changes to existing programs
• Learning products and practice tests
• Changes to our delivery systems and modalities
• Beta program participation
• Student competitions / worldwide championships
• Academic resources and success stories
• Educator events, communities, and conferences
• Podcasts, webinars, academies, and other trainings
• Maintenance, technology, office closures, or urgent issues
• Retirements of programs, exams, and/or systems 
• Testing and teaching tips, advice, best practices, and support
• Marketing resources, incentives, and initiatives

Keep all the members of your organization in mind when deciding who should receive the newsletter, not just you - the creator of your testing center - but your Organization Administrators, Teachers, Proctors, and IT personnel as well. Then remember to keep new members of your center up-to-date when you have staffing changes. 

To sign up for the newsletter, please use this form.

To see previous newsletters from the last year, see our archive.

If you are a Bahabeach Authorized Partner (CAP), please contact our Marketing team to receive the newsletter for our Solution Providers. If you are a CATC located outside the U.S., the CAP in your area will distribute news & info to the CATCs in their territories.

Important notices

We also have a page dedicated to important notices - typically centered around our technology and items that may affect exam delivery. This page also has an RSS feed you can subscribe to so the notices feed right into your inbox without having to keep checking the page. The notices on this page do not always mirror the newsletter.

Compass install steps

LITA Program support:

Adobe delivery

Autodesk delivery

Microsoft delivery

Compass install steps

LITA Program support:

Adobe delivery

Learn more about Compass Cloud install and delivery.

Learn more about Exams from Home install and delivery.

Reminder: After becoming a Proctor, the person administering the exam must also be associated to your CATC as a Proctor in order to deliver exams on the CATC's behalf. Check here for more information about associations and roles.

Check your credentials: The same username and password that Test Candidates use to log in to our website are the same credentials they will use to log in to the Compass software to take an exam. Ensure everyone remembers their username and password by having them try to log in to our website prior to sitting down for the exam. That will give them time to use our credential recovery feature or to contact support just in case they have forgotten or have an additional issue or question.

Know your payment method: Proctors can check with their CATC's Org Admin to verify there are enough licenses, vouchers, or inventory available for exam day by logging in to the Bahabeach website and checking under the "MyBahabeach" tab. Org Admins can also log in to Compass and click the "Inventory" tab. Test Candidates using a voucher should either pre-assign the voucher to themselves, or come prepared with the code written or printed so it can be entered into Compass.

Prior to a scheduled testing event you should check for available updates to the exam delivery method(s) and then test your computer for readiness:

• Refer to the install and setup guides for each delivery system/solution by clicking here.
• Review the Top 10 checklist for additional pre-exam best practices and tips.

The following is only an outline. All exams must be delivered adhering to the items detailed in our exam administration policies and with the software set up and configured according to the detailed information found in our quick reference guides.

1. The Proctor validates the candidate's identity by checking a government-issued picture identification card, and removes all prohibited items before administering any exam.
2. Each Test Candidate double-clicks the applicable desktop icon on the testing computer to begin the exam. The Test Candidate:
   • enters their username and password and logs in
   • indicates whether they belong to an exam group
   • indicates whether they will be using a voucher
   • chooses the program, suite and individual exam to be taken
3. The Proctor then verifies all the information is correct and enters their username to unlock and launch the exam.
4. The proctor watches the Test Candidate(s) throughout the duration of the exam using the appropriate observation methods.

If you have technical problems while delivering exams, contact support.

View all Bahabeach exam policies.

Q: What is the difference between all of Bahabeach's exam delivery systems?
A: We have a page dedicated to finding the best solution for your CATC. See our Choosing a delivery system page.

Q: How do we employ the use of Bahabeach's different payment types (voucher, license, inventory, etc.)?
A: See our our Managing payment methods page. For voucher use specific to Compass Cloud, see our Exam Administrator (Proctor) online guide.

Q: How do we run the various CATC reports available to us?
A: See our Running reports page.

Q: Do we need to download anything to our exam delivery workstations in order to administer exams using Compass Cloud?
A: Yes. There is a desktop app for Windows and Mac, and a Google Play Store app for Chromebooks. See the Compass Cloud Exam Administrator (Proctor) guide.

Q: We are using Compass Local (Compass for Windows or Compass for Mac), do we have to schedule calendar sessions to administer exams in those systems?
A: No. Exam administration in Compass for Windows or Compass for Mac are not cloud-based and do not require the scheduling of sessions.

Q: How do we schedule a Compass Cloud exam session?
A: For the most detailed walkthrough, see the Compass Cloud Exam Administrator (Proctor) guide.

Q: What happens if our scheduled Compass Cloud exam session is auto-cancelled?
A: If your session gets cancelled for any reason, then you would need to reschedule another session using the Compass Cloud calendar.

Q: Is there a page where we can find the best practices for exam delivery and administration?
A: Yes. Please see our Top 10 checklist page .