Connect Plus: Test Centre Administration Guide

Connect Plus
Test Centre
Administration Guide
This guide is aimed at staff responsible for administration of the
Connect Plus test delivery system at a Test Centre. It introduces
Connect Plus and outlines the tasks that you need to carry out to set
up and run computer-based tests.
TCAG 2014 v2
Test centre administration guide - 1
Contents
Contents ........................................................................................................................1
1 Overview .......................................................................................................................4
About this guide ...................................................................................................................4
About Connect Plus .............................................................................................................4
Your responsibilities as a centre ..........................................................................................5
Connect Plus user roles .......................................................................................................5
Accessing Connect Plus ......................................................................................................6
Test Centre Administrator access ........................................................................................6
Test Sitting Administrator access.........................................................................................6
Candidate access.................................................................................................................6
Time requirements for downloading and uploading materials .............................................7
Preparing and running familiarisation tests ....................................................................... 12
2 Registering your centre with Connect Plus ................................................... 13
Registering with Cambridge English Language Assessment ........................................... 13
3 Connect Plus home page ...................................................................................... 15
4 Setting up users ...................................................................................................... 17
Creating a user account .................................................................................................... 17
Allocating user roles .......................................................................................................... 18
Editing a user account ...................................................................................................... 18
Deleting a user account .................................................................................................... 19
Changing your own password ........................................................................................... 19
Resetting a users password ............................................................................................. 20
Unlocking accounts ........................................................................................................... 20
Training users ................................................................................................................... 20
5 Test sittings .............................................................................................................. 21
Creating test sittings ......................................................................................................... 21
Allocating candidates to a test sitting ................................................................................ 23
Renaming a test sitting ..................................................................................................... 23
Removing a test sitting ...................................................................................................... 24
Preparing a test sitting ...................................................................................................... 24
Overseeing test sittings .................................................................................................................... 28
6 Running test sittings ............................................................................................. 29

Appendix A: How to run a familiarisation test ................................................. 30
Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 30
What do I need? ................................................................................................................ 30
Summary of the steps in this appendix ............................................................................. 30
Connect Plus Set-up Recommendations .......................................................................... 31
1. Logging in...................................................................................................................... 32
2. Setting up a Test Sitting Administrator computer ......................................................... 32
3. Setting up a Candidate computer ................................................................................. 34
4. Setting up a familiarisation test ..................................................................................... 35
5. Preparing for the test .................................................................................................... 36
6. Starting the test ............................................................................................................. 37
7. Sitting the test as a candidate ....................................................................................... 39
8. Closing down the test sitting ......................................................................................... 40
What to do next ................................................................................................................. 41
Connect Plus familiarisation test answers ........................................................................ 41
Appendix B: FAQS ...................................................................................................... 42
Glossary ......................................................................................................................... 45
1
Overview
About this guide
This guide focuses on the administrative tasks that you need to carry out in order to run
computer-based tests using Connect Plus, including:
registering with Connect Plus
managing centre staff users
managing test sittings
There are two further guides:
Technical Guide
This guide covers all the technical tasks that you need to carry out, including installing
software and preparing computers and test rooms.
Computer-Based Testing Exam Day Booklet
This gives Test Sitting Administrators and invigilators step-by-step instructions on how to
run computer-based exams on the day.
About Connect Plus

Connect Plus enables you to deliver computer-based tests created by Cambridge English
Language Assessment. The test will be automatically downloaded to you over the Internet and
candidate test responses will be automatically returned to us.
How does Connect Plus work?

Connect Plus contains two main applications:
Test Sitting Administration (TSA), which is installed on a network server or on
secure computer(s) used by test centre management
Candidate Workstation (CW), which is installed on computers used by the
candidates.
The TSA computer automatically downloads all test materials available to an exam centre from
the Connect Plus Server via the internet and CW computers automatically download all
downloaded test materials from the TSA computer via the test venues local area network (LAN).
Candidates use CW to record their answers which TSA receives over the LAN and automatically
upload to Connect Plus Server via the Internet for marking. Please read the information in this
guide carefully to understand download and upload processes in Connect Plus and to prepare for
your sessions effectively.
Your responsibilities as a centre

You are responsible for ensuring that all staff at your centre who organise or run CB tests are
trained and follow instructions given by Cambridge English Language Assessment in this guide
and other related documentation.
When you use Connect Plus for the first time, you will need to register and create an initial user
account in Connect Plus (see Chapter 2). You will need to assign people to user roles on
Connect Plus (see Chapter 4) and keep this updated if any changes occur.
To run a test, you must:
Submit entries on Cambridge English Online by the entry closing date.
Organise a suitable venue/venues and arrange for enough suitably trained staff to be
available for running the test (for venue information, see the Computer-Based Testing
Exam Day Booklet).
Submit the venue details and start times of your exams to us either via Cambridge
English Online or the Venue details form available on our support website.
Ensure that the Connect Plus system is set up according to the technical
requirements and you and your staff have familiarised yourselves with the Connect
Plus system and processes well in advance of the test day by running Connect Plus
Familiarisation Tests (see Appendix A).
Install software and set up suitably configured computers in test rooms (see
Technical Guide).
Check and verify that headphones are in working order and that you have enough
spare sets for each exam venue.
Prepare test sittings, including printing candidate login details (see Chapter 5). These
logins must be clearly grouped by test sitting and test room for accurate distribution
and kept securely.
Run and then close down test sittings (see the Computer-Based Testing Exam Day
Booklet).
In addition, at your test venue you must have:
One Test Sitting Administrator computer per 100 Candidate Workstation computers.
One spare Test Sitting Administrator computer.
At least one invigilator per 25 candidates (a Test Sitting Administrator can be an
invigilator if only one room is used).
A sole invigilator must be able to summon help quickly.
If you are using dividers you must increase the number of invigilators so that
it is possible to see each candidate at all times.
One spare computer for every 20 candidates and spare headphones.
A copy of the Computer-based Testing Exam Day Booklet in each room.
This guide, and the Exam Day Booklet, explains all the actions required before, during and after
a test. Note that there is a glossary of terms at the end of this document.
Connect Plus user roles

You can allocate one or both of the following roles to relevant staff members:
Connect Plus Test Centre Administrator
The Test Centre Administrator role is commonly given to Centre Exams Managers.
Each Test Centre Administrator is responsible for managing centre staff users,
computers and test sittings.
A Test Centre Administrator can access all pages of the Test Centre Administration
and Test Sitting Administration websites.
One or more Test Centre Administrators must be nominated to receive email

reminders and alerts, which prompt them to carry out the required preparation in
advance of tests. For details, see Administrative Tasks.
Connect Plus Test Sitting Administrator
Each Test Sitting Administrator is responsible for starting, managing and monitoring
tests in test sittings. Each Test Sitting Administrator has access to all test sittings
running in the Test Centre, and any number of Test Sitting Administrators can open
and monitor the same test sitting simultaneously.
A Test Sitting Administrator can only access the pages of the Test Sitting
Administration website (and not the Test Centre Administrator website).
You should decide well in advance of a test sitting who will act as Test Sitting
Administrators to ensure they are trained sufficiently and are familiar with their tasks.
Once you register with Cambridge English Language Assessment, the first user at the Test
Centre is automatically assigned both user roles, so that they will have access to all available
tasks through a single username and password. Subsequent users can be assigned one or both
roles as required.
Accessing Connect Plus

Test Centre Administrator access
As a Test Centre Administrator, you can gain access to Connect Plus by going directly to the
Test Centre Administration website in a supported browser of your choice:
https://centre.connectplus.rm.com/
From this website, you can register with Connect Plus, and manage staff users, computers and test
sittings.
Test Sitting Administrator access

Test Sitting Administrators manage test sittings on the exam day in the exam room and there
are controls to open, start, pause, resume and end each test. The administrator will also always
need to close down the test sitting when all candidates have finished their tests.
As a Test Sitting Administrator you can access Connect Plus in one of two ways:
If you are using a computer on which the Connect Plus Test Sitting Administrator
software is installed, you can access Connect Plus either via the Start menu or via
Connect Plus Test Sitting Administrator icon on your computers desktop:
Using a supported browser of your choice, go to the Test Sitting Administrator

website:
https://sitting.connectplus.rm.com/
As a Test Sitting Administrator you always have the option to log on using either of these
methods. Please see the Technical Guide for further details on how to set up your computers.
Candidate access
Candidates access and take their tests on a computer on which the Connect Plus Candidate
software is installed. You can access the test either via the Start menu or via an icon on your
computers desktop:
Time requirements for downloading and

uploading materials
Downloading materials:
Order of tasks and timelines for downloading test materials
Task
How
When
1. TSA computer
downloads all test materials
available to the exam
centre.
Test download is an
automated process. If a
TSA computer is switched
on and has access to the
Internet, it periodically
(every 10 minutes) checks
whether there is a test
material to download from
the Connect Plus server.
Cambridge English
Language Assessment
releases test materials to
centres five days before
the earliest test start time.
Therefore, TSA computers
can start downloading test
five days before the
earliest test start time.
2. CW computers
downloads test materials
from the TSA computer.
CW computer periodically
(every 10 minutes) checks
whether there is any test
material to download from
the TSA computer.
Download will start if the
TSA computer is switched
on and on the same LAN
with the CW computer
CW computer will start

downloading the test
materials when they are
available at the TSA
computer.
Uploading candidate responses:

Order of tasks and timelines for uploading candidate responses
Task
How
When
1. CW computer uploads
candidate responses to
TSA computer.
While the test is running

CW computer automatically
uploads candidates
responses to the TSA
computer via the LAN.
Every 60 seconds.
2. CW computer finalises
the upload process.
CW computer automatically
uploads any remaining
candidate responses to the
TSA computer via the LAN.
As soon as the test ends.
3. TSA computer uploads

candidate responses to
Connect Plus server.
TSA computer automatically

uploads candidate
responses to Connect Plus
Server via the Internet.
As soon as CW computer
finales the upload process
and sends the last update
to the TSA computer.
Timings
Please use the table below to estimate the time you need to prepare for a successful computerbased exam session.
Important note:
Test material download times can be affected by various computer activities happening outside
of the Connect Plus system, such as use of internet or network resources by other people at the
test venue, software updates (such as Windows update, anti-virus software updates etc.). The
estimates below are based on the following assumptions:
Internet Bandwidth listed is the actual speed of the connection
75% of internet connection capacity is available for Connect Plus
75% of network capacity is available for Connect Plus
All computers are on a 100mbps wired network
Computers are not CPU, Memory or disk constrained during downloads
You must complete the test download process at least two hours before the test start time
therefore you are strongly recommended to leave your computers switched on overnight before
the test day.
Estimated time for downloading test materials to TSA computers from Connect Plus
Server
Internet Bandwidth (Kbit/s)
Test
Material
file size
512
1024
2048
4096
Elapsed
time
If running a single
session over two
days (e.g. CB FCE
morning session).
30 MB
10m
5m
3m
2m
If running multiple
sessions on a
single day over two
days (e.g. CB FCE
morning and
afternoon session).
60 MB
20m
10m
6m
4m
If running multiple
sessions over two
days (e.g. CB FCE
morning and
afternoon first day,
CB PET morning,
afternoon and
evening session the
next day).
150 MB
50m
25m
15m
10m
Estimated time for downloading test materials to CW computers from TSA computer
The estimates below assume that the centre has minimum 100 mbps network connectivity and
running the test on wired network.
Important note:
If you are intending to run Connect Plus on wireless networks, you must leave at
least twice the elapsed time displayed in the table below as the test distribution over
a wireless network will be considerably slower than wired networks.
Connect Plus does not support networks with less than 100mbps network
connectivity
Number of CW computers
Test
Material
file size
30
50
100
200
Elapsed
time
If running a single
session over two
days (e.g. CB FCE
morning session).
30 MB
2m
3m
6m
12m
If running multiple
sessions on a
single day over two
days (e.g. CB FCE
morning and
afternoon session).
60 MB
4m
6m
12m
24m
If running multiple
sessions over two
days (e.g. CB FCE
morning and
afternoon first day,
CB PET morning,
afternoon and
evening session the
next day).
150 MB
10m
15m
30m
60m
Estimated time for uploading candidate responses from TSA computers to Connect Plus
Server
Internet Bandwidth (Kbit/s)
512
1024
2048
4096
Number of CW
computers
Response file
size (MB)
Elapsed
time
30
10m
5m
3m
2m
50
18m
9m
4m
3m
100
36m
18m
8m
5m
200
1h12m
36m
16m
9m
Managing and running tests at a permanent test venue

The flowchart below illustrates the tasks that you need to carry out to manage and run tests, and a typical timeline. The steps shown in this flowchart are
described in detail in the following chapters in this guide.
Managing and running tests at a temporary venue (for example a rented computer lab)
The flowchart below illustrates the tasks that you need to carry out to manage and run tests, and a typical timeline an external venue. The steps shown in this
flowchart are described in detail in the following chapters in this guide.
Preparing and running familiarisation tests

When you have registered and logged on to the Test Centre Administration website for
the first time, you will find that a familiarisation test has been allocated to your schedule;
this enables centre staff users (Test Centre Administrators and Test Sitting
Administrators) to familiarise themselves with Connect Plus by going through the testing
process using dummy candidates.
See Appendix A: How to run a familiarisation test.
2
Registering your centre with Connect
Plus
Before you can run tests, the person responsible for Connect Plus at your centre needs
to register with Connect Plus and create the initial Test Centre Administrator user.
Once you have registered with Cambridge English Language Assessment on Connect
Plus, you can register with CIE and/or OCR if you need to. For further details, please see
the FAQs section.
Registering with Cambridge English

Language Assessment
To register with Connect Plus, make sure you have to hand your centre number and
the Connect Plus Registration Code, which is available from the Centre
Administration > Manage Connect section on Cambridge English Online, then
proceed as follows:
1. Go to the Test Centre Registration website at
https://centre.connectplus.rm.com/register/ESOL, type the Centre ID (your
centre number) and the Registration Code, and click Continue.
2. The Your user details window displays so you can set up the initial Test Centre
Administrator user:
3. Enter the appropriate details. All fields on this page are mandatory (as shown by the
asterisks).
Important! The email address that you enter will become the username that you
use to log on to the Test Centre Administration website.
The password is case-sensitive, so make sure that CAPS LOCK is off and that it
contains both upper- and lower-case letters, at least one numeric character and
should be between 8 and 50 characters long.
4. Click Create Account. A confirmation page displays.
5. The initial test centre user will shortly receive an email asking them to confirm their
email address by following a link to the Test Centre Administration website and
logging in, using the information created during registration.
To log in, click Log in now. The login page will direct you to your email so you can
follow the confirmation link.
On first login, you will be asked to accept the Connect Plus licence agreement. The
initial user is automatically given Test Centre Administrator rights.
3
Connect Plus home page
On successful login, the Home page displays. This page provides an overview of your test
sittings and the status of your computers, with appropriate links and prompts for action.
Here is an example:
1. Click the dropdown button to change your password.

2. Click on the arrow to check computer statuses and carry out appropriate actions.
3. Click here to schedule a familiarisation test.
4. Your future test sittings will appear here. Click on a test sitting to view.
5. Your past test sittings that still need action will appear here. Click on a test sitting to view.
6. This shows the tests within each sitting and gives information about the earliest and latest start
times.
7. This shows the test sittings youre running today and if any actions are required.
8. Use the tabs to administer test sittings, tests, configure computers, and to manage users, roles
and Awarding Bodies.
9. Use the breadcrumb trail to navigate to different pages.
4
Setting up users
Creating a user account
You can create as many users as you like. To create a new user account:
1. Log in to the Test Centre Administrator website and click the Users & Roles tab. The
Users & Roles page displays, for example:
2. Click New User. The Create New User window displays.
3. Type the appropriate user details in the fields. Note that all fields on this page are
mandatory (identified by an asterisk).
4. Ensure that you type the password exactly the same in both fields, and that it meets
the password rules as displayed on the screen.
5. Enter a contact telephone number for the person, for use by Cambridge English
Language Assessment and your support provider.
6. Tick the box if you want this person to receive email alerts. There must always be at
least one user at each Test Centre nominated to receive alerts. Email alerts are sent
if, for instance, we can see that you are not adequately prepared for a test sitting.
7. Click OK. The Users & Roles tab is refreshed with the new users details displayed.
Note: In order to maintain security, we strongly advise that new users change
their password after logging into Connect Plus for the first time.
Allocating user roles

Now allocate a role to the new user. There are two roles, Test Centre Administrator and
Test Sitting Administrator. To add or remove roles from user accounts:
1. Log in to the Test Centre Administrator website and click the Users & Roles tab,
then tick the box belonging to the relevant user.
Note that Test Centre Administrators automatically get Test Sitting Administrator
rights.
Use the tickboxes in the Receive Alerts column to control who will receive email
alerts. There must always be at least one user nominated to receive alerts.
2. Click Update Roles.

3. Click OK to confirm.
4. Click OK to close the Update User Role window.
Editing a user account

To edit a user account:
1. Log on to the Test Centre Administrator website and click the Users & Roles tab. A
list of existing users displays.
2. To help locate a specific user, use the filters at the top of the page.
3. When you have found the user you want to edit, tick the box to the left of their details.
You can only edit one user account at a time.
4. Click Edit User. The Edit User window displays.
5. Change the appropriate user details in the fields. All fields are mandatory (as shown
by the asterisks).
6. Click OK. You return to the Users & Roles tab with the changed user details
displayed.
Deleting a user account

To delete a user account:
1. Log on to the Test Centre Administrator website and click the Users & Roles tab,
use the filters to find the users you want to delete, then tick the box to the left of their
details. You can only delete one user account at a time.
2. Click Delete User. The Delete User window displays.
3. Click OK. You return to the Users & Roles tab with the user details no longer
displayed.
Changing your own password

Any user can change their own password.
1. Click the drop-down menu alongside your user name in the top navigation bar.
2. Select Change Password. The Change Password window displays.
3. Enter your current password and your new password twice for confirmation. Ensure
that your new password meets the rules displayed on the screen. In particular, make
sure that you enter upper and lower case letters correctly. You can include special
symbols such as * and & if you wish.
4. Click Submit.
Note: If you forget your password, you need to ask a Test Centre Administrator
to reset it, as described in Resetting a users password below.
Resetting a users password

When a user forgets their password, a Test Centre Administrator must reset it for them.
You do not need to know the users password to be able to reset it.
To reset a users password:
1. Log in to the Test Centre Administrator website and click the Users & Roles tab,
then tick the box to the left of the appropriate users details. You can only reset one
users password at a time.
2. Click Reset Password. The Reset Password window displays.
3. Ensure that you type the password exactly the same in both fields, and that it meets
the password rules as displayed on the screen.
4. Click Reset Password. You return to the Users & Roles tab.
5. Make sure you give the user their new password.
Unlocking accounts
A user account becomes locked when the user tries to log on to the Test Centre or Test
Sitting Administration website but does this incorrectly five times in a row. The user
cannot log in until their user account is unlocked by a Test Centre Administrator.
Note: If you are the only user at the Test Centre, you will need to contact us, or
wait eight hours for your account to be unlocked automatically.
To unlock a user account:

1. Log on to the Test Centre Administrator website and click the Users & Roles tab,
then click the box to the left of the appropriate users details. If a users account is
locked, (locked) appears after their username. You can unlock a number of user
accounts at the same time.
2. Click Unlock Account.
3. Click OK to confirm.
4. Click OK to close the confirmation window.
Training users
All centre staff users need to be familiar with and confident in using Connect Plus. The
different types of staff users have different training needs, but as a start you need to
consider the following:
Test Centre Administrators
Ideally, each Test Centre Administrator should be able to carry out all the tasks
described in this guide, as summarised in the Overview on page 4.
Typically, a Test Centre Administrator will be the Centre Exams Manager at your
centre.
Test Sitting Administrators
Each Test Sitting Administrator should be able to carry out all the tasks described in
the Computer-Based Testing Exam Day Booklet.
The easiest way to familiarise a Test Sitting Administrator with opening test sittings
and running tests is to set up a series of familiarisation tests they can work through.
For details, see Appendix A: How to run a familiarisation test.
5
Test sittings
Creating test sittings

All candidates for an exam day will automatically go into the same test sitting. We
recommend that you create extra test sittings to split your exams, (e.g. KET AM1, KET
PM1 and PET PM1) and then split the candidates in more than one room into separate
sittings.
Please use the information below to give you guidance on the number of test sittings you
may need to create at your centre. Please contact ESOL Helpdesk if you need further
information or clarification.
Number of tests
sessions (e.g. CB
PET AM1 and PM1)
Number of
computer rooms
at the test venue
What do I need to do?
One test session
One room
Use the original test sitting created by the

system.
One test session
Two rooms
Create a test sitting for each test room. E.g.

CB PET AM1 Room 1
CB PET AM1 Room 2
Move candidates from the original test sitting
to the new test sittings
Ensure you have two Test Sitting
Administrator accounts
Use separate Test Sitting Administrator
account in each room
Two test sessions
One room
Create a test sitting for each test session.

E.g.
CB FCE AM1 Room 1
CB FCE PM1 Room 1
You can administer the test with one Test
Sitting Account
Two test sessions
Two rooms
Create a test sitting for each test session

and each room. E.g.
CB KET AM1 Room 1
CB KET AM1 Room 2
CB KET PM1 Room 1

CB KET PM2 Room 2
Create two Test sitting administrator account
(if you dont have already) and use one in
each room
Test Centre Administrators can prepare test sittings after candidates are confirmed on
Cambridge English Online.
To create a test sitting:
1. Log in to the Test Centre Administrator website and click the Test Sittings tab. The
list of sittings displays.
2. Click Create New Test Sitting. The Create Test Sitting window is displayed.
3. Type the Sitting Name (e.g. the name of the room). Note that this field is mandatory
(and is identified by an asterisk).
4. Select the Sitting Date by clicking the calendar icon and choosing the relevant exam
date.
Note: Make sure you choose the correct date (i.e. the day of the exam) as you
cannot change the date for a test sitting once its set up; you will need to delete
the test sitting and create a new one.
5. Click OK. The Test Sittings tab is refreshed with the new Test Sitting details
displayed.
Having created your Test Sitting, you now need to allocate candidates to the Test Sitting.
Allocating candidates to a test sitting

You can only allocate candidates to a test sitting before they have logged on to the test.
To do this:
1. Log on to the Test Centre Administrator website and click the Tests tab to open the
list of tests for your centre.
2. Click on the name of the relevant test. The test details display, showing the list of
candidates.
3. Click on the candidates you want to allocate.
4. Click Move Candidates. The Change Candidate Sitting window is displayed.
5. Select a sitting into which you want to move the candidates.
6. Click OK. The test details refresh with the changed sitting details displayed.
7. Repeat steps 2-6 for each component to make sure the same candidates are in the
same test sitting.
Renaming a test sitting

To rename a test sitting
1. Log in to the Test Centre Administrator website and click the Test Sittings tab.
2. Tick the box to the left of the test sitting you want to rename. Note you can only do
this to one test sitting at a time.
3. Click Rename Sitting. The Rename Sitting window is displayed.
4. Type the new Sitting Name. Note that this field is mandatory (and is identified by
an asterisk), and that you cannot change the Sitting Date.
5. Click OK. The Test Sittings tab is refreshed with the new test sitting details displayed.
Removing a test sitting

Note that you cannot remove a test sitting if there are test candidates allocated to it, or if
it is the only test sitting for that day.
To remove a test sitting:
1. Log on to the Test Centre Administrator website and click the Test Sittings tab.
2. Tick the box to the left of the test sitting that you want to remove. Note that you can
do this to more than one test sitting at the same time.
3. Click Remove Sitting.
4. Click OK to confirm the removal.
Preparing a test sitting

Before a test sitting is run, a Test Centre Administrator must confirm that the required
computers are ready and print the candidate login details.
1. Log on to the Test Centre Administrator website and either click the name of the test
sitting you want to check on the Home page or click the Test Sittings tab to show a
list of all test sittings, as shown in this example:
To find a specific test sitting, you can use the filters.

Possible statuses for test sittings are:
Action Required (If the status is Action Required, you can click on the status to
see a summary of the test details and any actions required.)
Ready
No Action Required
No Tests
Note: No Tests will appear if you have added a new test sitting but have not yet
allocated any candidates into the sitting.
1. Click the name of the test sitting you want to check.

The test sitting details display, for example:
Set Up Computers
The Ready figures tell you how many Test Sitting Administrator and Candidate computers
at your centre have the latest software installed and have been in recent contact.
Note: Run the software on your computers at least a day before the exam to make
sure you download the latest software and the test materials.
These figures do not tell you how many computers you need for the test sitting; as may
you have split them across test sittings, or you may plan to re-use the same computers
for different tests during the day.
2. Click on Manage Computers (see above) to check that the computers you are using
are healthy. If they are not, please see the Technical Guide.
You can also access this screen by clicking on the Computers tab from the home page.
To find a specific computer, you can use the filters.
3. Navigate back to the Test Sitting screen below.
4. Tick the box to confirm that that the computers you are using for this sitting are
healthy.
5. When you tick the confirmation box,
section.
will appear in the Set Up Computers
Print Candidate Logon Details

This tells you the total number of candidates across all tests in the sitting.
Note: Each candidate will have a login for each component within this test sitting.
During the period from seven days before a test up until the test date, you can click
Print Logon Details (see above) to print login details for all candidates for all tests in
a particular sitting.
will appear until you have printed login details for all candidates, at which point
appear. Repeat this process until you have printed the login details for all your
candidates.
will
Tests in this sitting

A list of all tests in the sitting displays (see below). You can click on a test name to
open the test details.
Note: Once you have green ticks in both the Set Up Computers and Print Candidate
Logon Details sections on this screen, you are ready to run the test sitting.
Overseeing test sittings

Test Centre Administrators can oversee test sittings from any computer with an internet
connection. Click on Go to Test Sitting.
Note: Do not click on any active buttons as this will interfere with live tests.
6
Running test sittings
Both Test Centre Administrators and Test Sitting Administrators can run test sittings using
the following:
If you are using a computer on which the Connect Plus Test Sitting Administrator
software is installed, you can access Connect Plus either via the Start menu or via an
icon on your computers desktop:
Using a supported browser of your choice, go to the Test Sitting Administrator

website:
https://sitting.connectplus.rm.com/
Please see the Computer-Based Testing Exam Day Booklet for instructions on how to run
computer-based exams.
Appendix A
How to run a familiarisation test
Introduction
You must follow all the steps in this appendix in order to familiarise yourself with the
system and test administration tasks.
To help you understand the whole system, when following the steps in this appendix, you
will take the role of a Test Centre Administrator (the person responsible for preparing a
computer-based test at a centre), a Test Sitting Administrator (the person responsible for
starting a test, monitoring and ending it) and a candidate. Please do not use this
familiarisation test on real candidates.
What do I need?
To work through the steps you will need the following:
Minimum of two computers running Windows XP/Vista/Windows 7
Both computers must be on the same network and have access to the Internet
Admin rights to install software onto these computers;
Access to a printer.
These instructions assume that your centre is registered as a computer-based testing
centre with Cambridge English Language Assessment on Connect Plus and that you
have a username and password with Test Centre Administrator rights. Test Sitting
Administrator rights are automatically given to the first person registered on Connect
Plus.
Summary of the steps in this appendix

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Logging into Connect Plus

Setting up a Test Sitting Administration computer
Setting up a Candidate computer
Setting up the familiarisation test
Preparing for the familiarisation test
Starting the familiarisation test
Sitting the familiarisation test as a candidate
Closing down the familiarisation test
Connect Plus Set-up Recommendations

Before you set up your computers and install Connect Plus, please look at the scenarios below
to help you decide which set-up option best fits your testing venue.
Please note that all the steps in this guide are for installing and administering a Connect Plus
familiarisation test session based on Scenario 1 below. If you are planning to use multiple
rooms for the live exams (Scenario 2), you should create a separate test sitting for each room,
using the Test Sitting function, when scheduling the familiarisation test. For further details,
please refer to the Connect Plus Test Administrator guide.
Test Venue
Description
Recommended installation
Scenario 1
Test venue with a single
room and fewer than 100
candidate computers
Scenario 2
Test venue with two or more
rooms and fewer than 100
candidate computers in total
Important note: If your Centre has more than 100 candidate computers, the above
scenarios still apply but you need to increase the number of Test Sitting Administrator
computers in each room. Please see below table for guidance
Number of Candidate Workstations
Number of Test Sitting Administration computers
100
2 (including 1 spare)
200
250
1. Logging in
Go to the Connect Plus Test
Centre website
(https://centre.connectplus.rm.com)
on your Test Sitting Administrator
computer and log in using your
Connect Plus username and
password, which you created when
you registered your centre with
Connect Plus.
You will now see the home page of

the Test Centre website.
2. Setting up a Test Sitting Administrator computer

The Test Sitting Administration
software is used to control and
monitor a test. It allows you to start a
test, pause a test and monitor the
candidates taking the test.
The Current Computer Status section
of the home page indicates the
number of computers on which
Connect Plus test software has been
detected.
Click Current Computer Status
to go to the Computers tab,
which shows all the computers
that have Connect Plus installed.
Click Download the latest
version to go to the Software
download page.
On the Software download page,

click on the link to download the
latest version of Test Sitting
Administration software for your
computer.
If you are unsure whether you need to
download the Windows (64 bit), see
the instructions at the end of this
Appendix or ask the person who set
up your computers and network.
Save the file to a location of your
choice.
Important: Do not change

the name of the file.
The download may take a while,

depending on the speed of the
computer you are using, your network
and your internet connection.
Hint: If your internet connection is slow and not

stable, you can download the Test Sitting
Administrator installer from the Network Packages
section. This is an msi installer and much smaller in
size. However you must note that these installers can
only be used if your computers already have .Net
Framework 3.5 and Non-IE Flash Player installed.
Windows: When the download has finished, run the file and follow the on-screen instructions. If you receive
a communication error message at any stage, we suggest you ask your network administrator for help and/or
refer to Connect Plus Technical Guide.
Note: If your Centre uses a proxy server, you may need to enter your Windows username
and password.
Note: It is not possible to install both the Candidate Software and Test Administration
Software on the same computer.
The installation and registration

process is now complete.
Click Exit to quit the software at this
point.
Click on the Computers tab at the top

of the Connect Plus Test
Administrator home page. Wait until
you can see the computer(s) on which
you have just installed Connect Plus
listed on the screen.
3. Setting up a Candidate computer

The Candidate software is used by candidates to sit tests. When setting up a real test, you will
need to set up enough computers for all your candidates.
Carry out the following steps on the computers selected to be used for Connect Plus candidate
software.
Log into the Connect Plus Test
Centre website
(https://centre.connectplus.rm.com),
as shown in step 1 above and click
on the Computers tab.
Click Download the latest version
and download the appropriate
version of the Candidate software
for your computer.
If you are unsure whether you need to
download the Windows (64 bit), see the
instructions at the end of this Appendix
or ask the person who set up your
computers and network.
Install the downloaded file on the

computer by following the on-screen
instructions.
When the Candidate software has
been successfully installed and
registered, return to the computers
desktop and double click on the
Connect Plus Candidate
Workstation icon and wait until the
Candidate Login page appears.
You may see a start up message
displayed briefly before the
candidate login page appears.
Click Close to quit the software at
this point.
Important note: You are required to run Familiarisation tests to simulate the real
exam. For the simulation to be accurate, you should install Connect Plus on all the
Candidate computers you are planning to use in a live computer-based exam.
4. Setting up a familiarisation test

To run a familiarisation test, log in to the
Connect Plus Test Centre website
(https://centre.connectplus.rm.com) and
click on the Non-Timetabled Tests link.
This will take you to the Tests tab.
Click on Schedule to schedule a

familiarisation test.
Select the date and the earliest and

latest start times between which you
want to start running the familiarisation
test.
In this example the test has been set to start
after 12.00 and end 23.00. You can also set
what information you want to be displayed to
Test Sitting Administrators when they run
tests and also in the Information column on
the test details screen.
Click Save to proceed.
You will be taken to the Tests tab. The

familiarisation test you have just created will
appear on a new line. The familiarisation
test will also show the date for which it is
scheduled and the status will be set to
Scheduled.
Click on the familiarisation test you want
to run.
You will see a number of fictional candidate

entries in the list of candidates. Click Add if
you wish to add any additional candidates,
or Edit if you wish to change the names of
the candidates.
Please note that you can only add or edit
candidates for familiarisation tests. For live
exams, the candidates details are linked to
the entries you make on Cambridge English
Online.
Click on the Back to the Home page
link on the top left hand side corner of
the screen to return to the Test Centre
Home Page.
5. Preparing for the test

On the Test Centre Home Page you will now
see that the familiarisation test you have
scheduled appears in the Todays Test
Sittings section at the top of the page, on
the relevant day.
Note: The familiarisation test

should simulate a real
computer-based exam. If you
are planning to use multiple
rooms, you should create a
separate test sitting for each
room, using the Test Sitting
function. For further details,
please see Section 5.
Click on the familiarisation test sitting to start

preparing for the test.
The Test Sitting preparation screen tells you
what you need to do to get ready to run a
test. This means:

1. confirming that you have enough
computers set up
2. printing candidate logon details.
You will also see how many candidates have
been entered for the familiarisation test and
how many computers are available to run the
familiarisation test.
To confirm that you have sufficient
computers prepared to run the familiarisation
test, click on the check box [on the left hand
side of the screen] and the red exclamation
mark will turn into a green tick.
Click on Print Logon Details. This will print
login details for all the candidates you have
entered for the familiarisation test. Once
printed, the red exclamation mark will also
turn into a green tick.
Your familiarisation test preparation is now

complete and both red exclamation marks
have turned into green ticks. This means that
you are now ready to run the familiarisation
test.
You can now log out from this website.
6. Starting the test

On the Test Administrator computer,
click on the Connect Plus icon to start
the Test Sitting Administration software.
The software will run a series of start up
checks to ensure that all the necessary
information required to run the The
familiarisation test is available.
Once prompted, enter your Connect Plus
Test Centre login details (or your Test Sitting
Administrator login details, if applicable).
If you have any other Test Sittings set up,

you will need to select which Test Sitting you
wish to open.
Click on the familiarisation test sitting
name to proceed.
If you dont have any other test sittings setup, you will be taken to the Test Sitting
screen which is used to monitor the progress
of the test.
Click on Open Test to allow candidates

to start logging in.
Once all candidates are logged in, click

on Start Test.
7. Sitting the test as a candidate

If the Login screen is not already displayed
on the candidate computer, click on the
Connect Plus icon to start the Candidate
software.
The software will run a series of start up
checks to ensure that all the necessary
information required to run the familiarisation
test is available.
CandidateTEnter the Candidate Number

and Password provided in the Candidate
Login Details printouts and click SUBMIT.
.
You will then be taken to the candidate

details confirmation screen which will display
the name of the test you are sitting, the date
on which you are sitting the test, as well as
the candidate information.
If all the information is correct, click on
Continue.
The familiarisation test will now start and you

will be able to sit the familiarisation test.
Important note: You should repeat step 7 on as many candidate computers as possible
to simulate a live Computer-based test session and to ensure that your computer network
is working correctly.
8. Closing down the test sitting

All candidates tests will end automatically
when the set test time has run out. However,
the duration of a test can vary depending on:
the time set for the test;
whether candidates start the test on
time;
whether candidates have been granted
additional time;
whether the Test Administrator has
paused and resumed the test.
As this is a familiarisation test to help you
familiarise yourself with Connect Plus, you
can end the test early, without answering all
the exam questions or having to wait until
the time runs out.
On the Test Sitting Administration
computer, click on End Test.
You will see the test for candidates has been
ended shortly afterwards.
Note: When running a live test, do not use the End Test button unless absolutely required to
do so, as it will end the test for all candidates, including candidates who have not logged in
yet.
After the test has ended, click on the Test
Sitting Close Down tab. There, you will be
able to check:
1. candidate responses have been
collected
2. responses have been uploaded to us
3. the candidate absence list.
During a familiarisation test, both progress
bars should turn to green and the counts
should indicate that all the expected
responses have been collected and
uploaded. This may take some time
depending on the number of computers
used.
Below the upload progress bars you will see
the absentees screen. For a familiarisation
test, there is no need to note absences.
However, during a live exam, you would be
able add any attendance notes to explain
each absence, if you wish.
Click on Close Down Test Sitting to
complete the familiarisation test.
You can now close both the Candidate and
Test Sitting Administration software.
What to do next
You have completed your Connect Plus familiarisation test. By following these instructions, you
have successfully completed the process of setting up the Test Administrator computer, as well
as all required candidate computers. You have learned how to schedule tests using Connect
Plus and how to enable your candidates to participate in any computer-based test.
Also, as all of your computers have now been correctly configured to run Connect Plus, they are
ready to be used for live computer-based exams.
For further information and technical support, please see the Test Centre Technical Guide and
the other chapters in this Test Centre Administration Guide, which are available from the Help
section on the Connect Plus Test Centre website.
In the unlikely case that you are experiencing any problems that you cannot solve using the
available support materials, please contact the Helpdesk:
Customer support website: support.cambridgeenglish.org
Email: ESOLHelpdesk@CambridgeESOL.org
Tel: +44 (0)1223 553997 (for urgent queries)
Connect Plus familiarisation test answers

1) B
2) B
3) D
4 7) 1-4-3-2
8) A
9) A
10) A
11) A
12) A
Appendix B
FAQs
What do I do if Ive forgotten my password?
If you are a Test Centre Administrator or Test Sitting Administrator and you forget your password,
another Test Centre Administrator can reset it for you (give you a new password). For details,
Resetting a users password on page 20. Once you have regained access, you can change your own
password, as described in Changing your own password on page 19.
Can my Test Centre run tests published by CIE and OCR?

When you register with Connect Plus, this enables you to run tests published by Cambridge English
Language Assessment. Thereafter, you can register with Connect Plus for CIE or OCR, if you are
already approved as a centre for them.
Registering with Connect Plus for CIE and OCR
Once you have registered with Connect Plus for Cambridge English Language Assessment, a Test
Administrator can log on to the Test Centre Administration website and register with Connect Plus for
CIE or OCR.
1. Log in to the Test Centre Administrator website and click the Awarding Body tab. This lists all the
Awarding Bodies that your centre is currently registered with.
2. To register with an additional Awarding Body, click Register with additional awarding bodies.
3. Select an Awarding Body from the drop-down list, enter your centre number and the Registration
Code supplied by the Awarding Body, then click Register.
Can I set up as many administrators as I like?

Yes, you can create as many Test Centre Administrators and Test Sitting Administrators as you like.
All Test Centre Administrators will have the same rights, as will all Test Sitting Administrators. Test
Centre Administrators have greater privileges than Test Sitting Administrators. For more details, see
Setting up users on page 17.
How do I run a familiarisation test?

These are tests provided by Cambridge English Language Assessment for use in staff familiarisation.
Familiarisation tests are provided as Non-Timetabled tests so that you can schedule to run these tests
as often and whenever desired. For details, see Appendix A: How to run a familiarisation test.
Do I have to create test sittings?

A default test sitting is created automatically, and all tests for the day are automatically added to this
sitting. However, if you have candidates taking the test in different rooms or locations, you will need to
split these tests across a number of sittings.
Please see Chapter 5 for further information on test sittings and worked examples.
What if I choose the wrong date when creating a test sitting?

You will need to remove any candidates allocated to it, delete the test sitting and create a new one.
For more details, see Test sittings in Chapter 5.
Test centre administration - 43
How do I reprint candidate login details?

1. Log in to the Test Centre Administrator website and click the Tests tab to open the list of tests for
your centre.
2. Click on the name of the test for which you want to print candidate login details. The test details
display, showing the list of candidates.
3. Select the candidate(s) whose login details you want to print by clicking on their row of details to
highlight them.
4. Click the candidate(s) to select them. You can select more than one candidate at a time.
5. Click Print Candidate Logon Details. The print dialog box displays and you can select the
printer to use then click OK.
How can I select more than one item in any list?

1. To select several items together, click on the first item, press and hold down the SHIFT key and
click on the last item
2. To select alternating items together, click on the first item, press and hold down the CTRL key
and click on each item one by one
Glossary
Candidate software
The part of Connect Plus that can be
installed on a candidate computer. It
enables candidates to take tests in the
absence of an Internet connection.
Familiarisation test
A test that is used to ensure the Connect
Plus system is working. You can also use it
for training purposes to introduce centre
staff to Connect Plus.
Registered Test Centre
A Test Centre that has successfully
completed the registration with Cambridge
English Language Assessment.
Registration code
The code issued to a Test Centre by
Cambridge English Language Assessment
that must be provided when the Test
Centre registers with them.
Scheduled test
A test to be run on a date and time
determined by Cambridge English
Language Assessment. These appear on
the home page under Todays Test
Sittings or Forthcoming Test Sittings.
Test
A test is an individual component, for
example Reading & Writing or Listening.
Test key
Each test has a key which controls access
to the test content. Cambridge English
Language Assessment specifies how long
before the earliest start time for the test the
key will be automatically downloaded to
you. When candidates log in, the key is
used to check their credentials and unlock
test content.
Test Sitting
A test sitting is a grouping of candidates
taking tests on the same day. The
candidates may all be taking the same test
or different tests. The Test Sitting
Administrator can see and monitor all these
tests and candidates from a single screen.
By default all tests and all candidates are
added to a single sitting on each day, but
you can if you wish set up and run a
number of separate sittings.
Test Sitting Administrator
Test Sitting Administrators can start and
monitor tests at a Test Centre, but they
cannot carry out any other administration
activities.
Test Sitting Administrator software
The part of Connect Plus that can be
installed on a Test Sitting Administration
computer. It enables Test Sitting
Administrators to administer tests in the
absence of an Internet connection
Test Centre Administrator

Test Centre Administrators can carry out all
Connect Plus activities at a Test Centre,
including managing tests, candidates,
users, test sittings and computers. The
Test Centre Administrator role is usually
given to Centre Exams Managers.

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Test centre administration guide - 1

Test centre administration guide - 2

6 Running test sittings ............................................................................................. 29

Test centre administration guide - 3

About Connect Plus

How does Connect Plus work?

Test centre administration guide - 4

Your responsibilities as a centre

Connect Plus user roles

One or more Test Centre Administrators must be nominated to receive email

Accessing Connect Plus

Test Sitting Administrator access

Using a supported browser of your choice, go to the Test Sitting Administrator

Test centre administration guide - 6

Time requirements for downloading and

CW computer will start

Uploading candidate responses:

While the test is running

As soon as the test ends.

3. TSA computer uploads

TSA computer automatically

Test centre administration guide - 7

Test centre administration guide - 8

Test centre administration guide - 9

Managing and running tests at a permanent test venue

Test centre administration guide - 10

Test centre administration guide - 11

Preparing and running familiarisation tests

Test centre administration guide - 12

Registering with Cambridge English

Test centre administration guide - 13

4. Click Create Account. A confirmation page displays.

Test centre administration guide - 14

Test centre administration guide - 15

1. Click the dropdown button to change your password.

Test centre administration guide - 16

2. Click New User. The Create New User window displays.

Test centre administration guide - 17

Allocating user roles

2. Click Update Roles.

Editing a user account

Test centre administration guide - 18

Deleting a user account

Changing your own password

2. Select Change Password. The Change Password window displays.

Test centre administration guide - 19

Resetting a users password

To unlock a user account:

Test centre administration guide - 20

Creating test sittings

What do I need to do?

One test session

Use the original test sitting created by the

One test session

Create a test sitting for each test room. E.g.

Two test sessions

Create a test sitting for each test session.

Two test sessions

Create a test sitting for each test session

CB KET PM1 Room 1

Test centre administration guide - 22

Allocating candidates to a test sitting