User Guide: How to Use TestCommander5Options

If you have a test ready, you can set it up (enter it in the program's database) in TestCommander5Options in less than an hour. It is as simple as typing in your questions and clicking Save.

TestCommander5Options runs in two modes:

1) User mode - for test taker
2) Admin mode - for test administrator

2) Admin mode
This is a protected area. You get to this mode by "double clicking" on the title which says "Enter Personal Information..." when you start TestCommander5Options. This opens the window "Build your Test". You have to enter a password. The initial password is "1234" (you can change the password using the "change password" button). When you enter the right password the test(s) to be edited (already in the program) will be displayed. Click the one you wish to edit and press "open test". This opens the test for editing. Relevant buttons are provided for performing required tasks.

Alternatively, you can say "Add New Test" and supply the name of the test you would like to create. The name will be added to the list of tests. Select the test and press "Open Test". This will open a window for you to enter a question with four answer choices. The choices of A,B,C,D or T and F (for true false questions) will be provided by the program, you don't need to enter them.

To start entering a question press "Add New". Enter the question in the first box and the choices in the next four boxes. Enter the correct answer in the box which says "Answer". The answers should be A,B,C,D or E for multiple choice questions or T or F for True false questions. You can enter two or three letters (e.g., AD, or ADE) to create a question with two or three correct answers.

To create a True or False question enter hyphens in the choices boxes and a T or F in the Answer box. All of the entries including the comments box are required. Then press "Save". Continue entering new questions or editing existing questions in the same manner. If you do not desire to enter a choice you can enter a hypen (-) in its place. When you are done press "cancel" to get back to the window with a list of tests (continue to set test time and passing score).

Setting up Time and Passing Score
After you get back to the window with the list of tests, click on "preperties" under test. This will display a window where you can set the time and passing score. To set the time for a test press "Add New". Then enter the name of the test (exact spelling, it is CaSE SenSiTive), allowed time, passing score and total score. Press "Save". Press "Ok" to go back to the list of tests.

Embedding Exhibits
TestCommander5Options allows you to embed an exhibit with a question (to explain a question). To embed one, while editing the question, click insert image. A window which allows you to browse and select the image (the image can be a bmp, gif or jpg file) will open. Select the image and click OK. A small icon will appear on the top right hand corner indicating that the image has been inserted.

Printing a test
TestCommander5Options also enables you to administer you tests on printed paper. It uses the Crystal Reports engine to allow you to print professional printed tests. To print your test, from the window which displays the list of tests, select the test that you desire to print and click "Print Test". You will be guiede through a series of input boxes where you can enter school name, subject of test, allowed time etc. Once you provide the required inputs your test will be displayed in a professionally formatted manner. You can preview your test and then click on a printer icon displayed at the bottom of the test.

Renaming a test
You can also rename your test if you find it appropriate to do so. From the window which displays the list of tests, select the test you desire to rename and click "Rename Test". You will be prompted with an input box where you can enter the new test name. Enter the new test name and click OK.

Publishing your test for the web
Once you enter your test on TestCommander5Options you don't have to do anything special to publish it for your web site. All you need to do it check the appropriate buttons and or boxes and click "Publish".

Follow these steps to publish your test for your website:

1. Start TestCommander5Options and double click on the bar which says click here to go to the admin section.
2. You will be prompted to enter a password. Enter your password. If you haven't changed it - the default password is 1234.
3. You will see your tests listed in a list box. Select the one you would like to publish on your web site.
4. Select the "asp" or "php" radio button depending on whether you want to publish your test on a Windows or Unix(Linux) based web site (N.B., some Windows-based web sites also support php). 5. Click the publish HTML button to the right of the list of tests.
6. A message windlow will appear advising you that three files have been published, yourtestname.html, yourtestname.asp, and tests.html. FTP these files into the same directory on your web site.
Note: yourtestname stands for the name of your test.
7. Your test is now ready to be administered. Provide the URL (web address) of your test to your students.
8. To automate the grading process of your test(s) you will need to download one more file from e-Testing Systems for only $8.99 US.

Upon successful completion of the purchase process, your will be notified where to download the program from immediately. Since this is a self-extracting file you will have to double click on it and supply a password which will also be sent to you. The file TestGrader5Options.asp or TestGrader5Options.php will be extracted in the same folder.

8. Upload the file into the same folder where your test file(s) is (are). Your test is now ready to be graded automatically and for you to receive test score results in your email.