Online Test Administration – FAQs

How long is the test?

Speaking = 10-15 minutes
Listening = 15 - 20 minutes
Reading = 35 - 45 minutes
Writing = 35 - 45 minutes

All times are actual testing time and do not include housekeeping items such as handing out test tickets, logging in, practice test, etc.

What does the student testing experience look like?
Please refer the practice test to view the student experience.

Is there a script the Test Administrator must read to students?
No. All test directions and test items are presented to the student through the online interface.

Why is the student sometimes not able to click their answer choice nor the next button right away?
When the answer choice and/or the next button is not clickable, this will indicate that the student has not listened to the directions or the entire prompt for the question they are on. This will happen only for the listening domain, as the other domains you can click next before listening to the directions.

For Speaking, why is the student sometimes not able to click the record button?
If the record button is not available, this means that either the student hasn’t finished listening to the prompt or the student already selected the record button and the response has been recorded for a 3^rd time. The student cannot move to the previous item to re-record.

How do I know if it is recording the speaking responses?
The Speaking test has a microphone check before actual live testing takes place. When the student clicks the button to record their voice, they say several words. If the student's response is not being recorded, there will be an error message that appears and the system will kick the student out of the test while providing a microphone failure message. Once the microphone settings are confirmed as working correctly, the student should log back in and repeat the mic check process. Once the microphone is confirmed as working only then will the student be able to continue the Speaking test.

What if the student is unable to type on the keyboard for the writing portion of the assessment?
The TEA allows for “writing sheets” to be utilized in the case where a student doesn't have the keyboarding skills necessary for the online Writing test. Writing sheets may be found in the DRC INSIGHT Portal. Go to My Applications > General Information > Documents > Texas Specific Resources (under Document Type).

Please note, determining a student's keyboarding skills should be based on observation during the student's practice test. Keyboarding skills, or lack thereof, should not be assumed.

Can students skip test items?
The Reading and Writing tests are the two tests which the student can choose which question they want to go to, or can go in any order. It does not require the student to answer the question before moving on to the next question.

The Speaking and Listening domains, students can move forward without answering (they will get a warning pop up), but they are not able to move backwards.

Can a Test Administrator not test and/or stop the test due to insufficient language?
Per the TEA:

Students must be given the opportunity to attempt all assigned subtests per the requirements set forth for the purpose of the identification of English learners.
At no time, can a student be labeled “unable to test due to language” without being allowed to attempt each subtest they are assigned.
For each subtest, trained test administrators must give students as much time as they need, as long as they are working on the test.
If, after a reasonable amount of time, a student appears to not be actively engaged in the subtest they are being presented, a trained test administrator may use his/her professional discretion and may stop the subtest and move the student on to the next subtest.
Stopping the test must be documented and provided to the LPAC for consideration.

If a Test Administrator needs to stop a student test due to insufficient language as conditions provided in the previous question are met, how does the Test Administrator stop the test?

For Reading and Writing, the student (or TA) should exit and submit the test.
For Speaking and Listening, the student (or TA) should pause the test and then the Test Administrator needs to "End Incomplete Tests" otherwise a score will not render for those tests as the system is waiting for the test to end. Guidance is found in the DRC INSIGHT Portal. Go to My Applications > General Information > Documents > Texas Specific Resources (under Document Type).

What happens when a student pauses their test?
When a student pauses their test a 20-minute timer starts and they can resume testing within that time frame. If they don't resume within that time, they are exited from the test and may log back in at a different time re-enter the test from the last question answered.
When a student logs back into a test, the student is presented with the screen that states "Begin The Test."

The "Begin The Test" button is a default screen for all students, no matter the testing status or progress of the student. Therefore, many you may think that the student is starting at the beginning of the test but they need to select the "Begin The Test" button, then the "Continue" button, the subtest hyperlink and the student will then pick up where they left off.

Does the student see a test completion screen when they complete a subtest?
LAS Links does has a review test screen at the end of each domain. Once the student submits the domain, the system will bring them back to the main screen to select the next domain. If it is the last domain, it will take the student back to the login screen where they then need to click exit.

Why is the student still "In Progress" if they have completed their test?
If your student completed the test but the student is still showing as In Progress under Test Management>Manage Test Sessions, most often, this is due to the student not properly exiting and submitting the test. Students can either log back into the test and exit properly/fully or the Test Administrator may end incomplete tests. Guidance on how to End Incomplete tests may be found in the DRC INSIGHT Portal. Go to My Applications > General Information > Documents > Texas Specific Resources (under Document Type).

Are accommodations allowed?
Per the TEA, accommodations are only allowed when/if the accommodation is listed on the student's IEP.

What is the guidance regarding testing Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH) students for the purpose of Emergent Bilingual student identification?
Please refer to the TEA’s guidance at: https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/LPAC%20-%20Deaf-HH%20Guidance%20November%202019.pdf

What options are available to test visually impaired students for the purpose of Emergent Bilingual student identification?
For online testing, the magnifying glass (universal tool) and text to speech (accommodation) are available. DRC also offers large print and braille versions of the assessment. Please reach out to LASTechTX@datarecognitioncorp.com for guidance.