Math and ELA Smarter Balanced
How to Move Through the Test
- You may need to move down the screen to see all the information for a question.
- You may need to move down the screen to see every question.
- Some screens show one question. Other screens show many questions.
- You must answer every question on a screen.
- You can move between screens using the [Back] or [Next] buttons.
- You can also choose a question number from the "Questions" drop-down list.
- Some tests have more than one section.
- At the end of each section, you can review any question in that section.
- You cannot go back to any questions after you finish a section.
Pause Rules
- You can pause your test at any time.
- You will see a message asking, “Are you sure you want to pause the test?”
- If you pause the test, you will be logged out.
- You do not lose answers when the test is paused.
- If the test is paused for more than 20 minutes, you cannot go back or change answers to questions you already answered or marked for review.
- When you log back into your test, the screen will show your next blank question.
- If you do nothing for 30 minutes, the test will pause and you will be logged out.
Overview of Test Screen
Tools
You can use these tools by clicking the buttons at the top of the screen.
| Tools | Description |
|---|---|
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Questions drop-down list
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Click the [Questions] button to move to a different question. If you mark a question for review, there will be a flag next to the question number. |
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Progress Bar
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The “Progress Bar” shows how much of the test you have finished. |
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Back and Next
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Click the [Back] and [Next] buttons to move between screens.
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Save
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The [Save] button lets you save your work when answering a question. Your answers are saved when you move to another question. You do not have to use the [Save] button. |
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Help
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Click the [?] button to open these Online Test Directions. |
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System Settings
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Tests with audio only: Click the [System Settings] button to change the audio volume. |
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Pause
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Click the [Pause] button Check with your teacher before clicking the [Pause] button. |
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Line Reader
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Click the [Line Reader] button to focus on one line of text at a time. Click where you want the Line Reader, then use the up and down arrows to move the Line Reader. |
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Zoom
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Click the [Zoom Out] button to make the words on the screen smaller. Click the [Zoom In] button to make the words on the screen bigger. |
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Calculator
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Math Only: Click the [Calculator] button to open the calculator. You can use the calculator for some questions on grades 6–8 and high school math tests. |
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Notes
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ELA Performance Task Only: Click the [Notes] button to write notes during part 1 of the Performance Task. These notes will show in part 2 of the Performance Task when you click the [Notes] button again. |
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Dictionary
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ELA Performance Task, Part 2 Only: Click the [Dictionary] button to look up a definition or synonym. Type a word in the box then click “Dictionary” or “Thesaurus.” |
Menu
You can use the Menu by clicking the three lines 
.
| Menu | Description |
|---|---|
|
Tutorial
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Click [Tutorial] to see a short video. The video shows how to answer that type of question. |
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Mark for Review
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Click [Mark for Review] on questions you want to look at again later. The box around the question number changes to show a flap in the corner |
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Notepad
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Click [Notepad] to type notes for a question. After you type your notes, click [Save and Close]. A pencil picture |
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Highlighter
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Click [Highlight Selection] to highlight words. There are two ways to highlight. 1: Left-click and drag across words you want to highlight. Then right-click on the words and choose [Highlight Selection]. Then select a highlight color. 2: Left-click and drag across words you want to highlight. Then click the Menu and select [Highlight Selection]. Then select a highlight color. Use [Remove Highlight] to remove some highlighting. Left-click and drag across the highlighting you want to remove. Then choose [Remove Highlight]. Use [Reset Highlighting] to remove all highlighting. Pictures cannot be highlighted. |
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Strikethrough
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Click [Strikethrough] to cross out answer choices for multiple-choice and multiple-select questions. There are two ways to use [Strikethrough]. 1: Right-click an answer choice and choose [Strikethrough]. 2: Open the Menu and choose [Strikethrough]. Click answer choices to cross them out. Click outside the answer area or press the [Esc] key when you are done. |
and a flag picture 
shows next to the question number.
then shows up next to the question number.
Other Tools
You can use these tools on some questions.
| Other Tools | Description |
|---|---|
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Expand
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Some screens have information on the left side and questions on the right side.
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Glossary/Translation
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Some words have a gray line above and below them. Click these words to see a definition, a translation, or both. |
