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 Certiport Authorized Testing Center (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
   • FAQs

   Instructional web pages:

   • How to prepare and administer exams
   • What I can do as an Organization Administrator

2. Test Candidate registration

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

   Note: Each test candidate should only create one account to be used for all Certiport 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 Certiport 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. 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 MyCertiport 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 MyCertiport 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 Certiport 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 MyCertiport 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 Certiport 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

    Certiport currently has two exam delivery systems: Compass for Windows and Compass for Mac. 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

   Compass for Windows: This solution requires Windows Admin rights to install, update, and deliver exams. You can wrap local Admin credentials into the Compass for Windows software and allow a Test Candidate to log in to Windows with a standard user account. See the Compass for Windows user guide for detailed info.

   Compass for Mac: This solution only requires Mac OS Admin rights when installing the software.

2. Use the System Check feature:

   Compass for Windows now has a System Check feature. The software will indicate if there are any issues with your CATC's status, available Proctors, exam payment methods, and Office compatibility. You can also run live Configuration Exams for MOS LITA exam delivery to ensure that Compass is properly "shaking hands" with the locally installed software. See the Compass for Windows user guide for detailed info.

   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 of some known conflicts that could interfere with exam delivery.

   Note: At this time, Compass for Windows only has configuration exams for MOS. These can be launched from the System Check feature or from the "Manage Exams" menu.
   Important: The diagnostics check is just one facet of successful exam delivery. Ensure that all technical requirements and best practices have been followed.

3. Verify Internet communication

   Ensure you have communication with Certiport 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.

4. 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 a compatible version (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 versions are compatible. 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 Adobe program support page.
   
   Autodesk:
   Autodesk LITA exam delivery also requires specific locally installed versions of the corresponding Autodesk software (such as AutoCAD) to be installed. For more information on compatible versions see our Autodesk program support page.
    

5. 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 Certiport 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 Certiport executables and actions related to exam delivery.

6. Additional running software

   For all Certiport 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.

Compass for Windows mass deployment:

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

Note: Compass for Windows also has features such as the LAN Solution and the Import/Export Update Utility for the purposes of distributing updates to a large amount of testing workstations. 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.