If you are testing students in a remote location (at their homes) please see Policies for Fully Automated Testing (FAT). 

Accommodations

504/SPED Students

An automatic test-time extension in the amount of 120 minutes (for a full testing duration of 240 minutes) is added by request as part of student registration by the test site administrator.

It is the responsibility of the school and test site administrator to provide adequate time and space to allow for extended test time for 504/SPED.

The universal accessibility feature and accommodations are listed below:

• An extended-time accommodation of 120 additional minutes is added to the standard testing session for a total of 240 minutes. The test session may not be split up into multiple test sessions, or given over a multi-day period.
• A read-aloud accommodation may be provided by an aide or test proctor who will read the entire test aloud to the test taker (the accommodation of extended time may also be required). Note: Items on the assessment are randomized so more than one reader may be required if several students are using the read-aloud accommodation during the same testing session. This is arranged at the test site by the test site administrator or test proctor.
• A test-item enlargement, universal accessibility feature is permitted, however, the test site administrator will need to check for computer compatibility. This is arranged at the test site by the test site administrator or test proctor and is typically handled by manual enlargement features provided by the computer and display.

CTECS defers to school and state policy when identifying 504/SPED. However, in order for 504/SPED to receive the accommodations, they must be identified on the student registration form submitted prior to the testing session. The use of any of the above accommodations must be based on the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). The test site administrator should ensure test proctors know which accommodations each student will be using and how to administer them. Further, the universal accessibility feature and accommodations should not be introduced to the student for the first time during the administration of the Apprenticeship Assessments©.

Limited English ​Proficiency (LEP)

An automatic test-time extension in the amount of 120 minutes (for a full testing duration of 240 minutes) is added by request as part of student registration by the test site administrator.

See Student Registration. It is the responsibility of the school and test site administrator to provide adequate time and space to allow for extended test time for LEP.

The universal accessibility feature and accommodations are listed below:

• An extended-time accommodation of 120 additional minutes is added to the standard testing session for a total of 240 minutes. The test session may not be split up into multiple test sessions, or given over a multi-day period.
• A read-aloud accommodation may be provided by an aide or test proctor who will read the entire test aloud to the test taker (the accommodation of extended time may also be required). Note: Items on the assessment are randomized so more than one reader may be required if several students are using the read-aloud accommodation during the same testing session. This is arranged at the test site by the test site administrator or test proctor.
• A test-item enlargement, universal accessibility feature is permitted, however, the test site administrator will need to check for computer compatibility. This is arranged at the test site by the test site administrator or test proctor and is typically handled by manual enlargement features provided by the computer and display.

CTECS defers to school and state policy when identifying LEP. However, in order for SPED to receive the accommodations, they must be identified on the student registration form submitted prior to the testing session. The use of any of the above accommodations must be based on the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). The test site administrator should ensure test proctors know which accommodations each student will be using and how to administer them. Further, the universal accessibility feature and accommodations should not be introduced to the student for the first time during the administration of the CTECS Apprenticeship Assessments©.

Test Interruptions

Assessments must be completed in one, 120-minute session, unless a school emergency interrupts the testing period. If there is a test interruption and a student needs to complete the test on another day, the student must log in and finish the test within TWO (2) school days of the initial start date. Notify CTECS about the interruption on the day it occurs so that time can be added to the affected assessments. See the list below for examples of school and personal emergencies that may qualify as an interruption.

• Fire alarms
• Power outage
• Safety evacuation
• Sudden illness of student

Retakes

Not permitted at this time

Materials Allowed for Apprenticeship Testing

Students may use the following references during the tests as listed below:

All

• Blank sheet of scrap paper (1 sheet, disposed at conclusion of test)
• A handheld, 10-function, scientific calculator (e.g., TS30X IIS)

Electrical

• Ferm’s Fast Finder, NEC
• Tom Henry’s Key Word Index
• Ugly’s Electrical References
• Ugly’s Electrical Safety & NFPA 70E
• National Electrical Code (NEC) Book

HVAC

• IFGC (International Fuel Gas Code)
• NEC (National Electrical Code)
• IMC (International Mechanics Code)
• Ugly’s Electrical References
• Ugly’s HVAC References
• HVAC Formula Reference Sheet (also available on the Idaho CTE website)

Plumbing

• UPC (Uniform Plumbing Code)
• ISPC (Idaho State Plumbing Code)
• ANSI A117.1
• Idaho Plumbing Statutes and Rules

FAQ

General Questions

1. What is the cut score or standard for mastery?

See About the Tests

2. May teachers proctor their own students?

No

3. Must test proctors sign a Test Site Administrator Registration and Agreement form?

No, only the test site administrators sign TSA agreement forms. A test site administrator should identify and use one or more proctors. See the Proctor Guide.

4. Can teachers take the exam?

No. This could jeopardize test security. You agree to these terms when signing the Test Site Administrator Registration and Agreement form.

5. Is there a practice test (pre-test) for this exam?

Not at this time.

6. Will the student receive a certificate for passing this exam?

This is under construction. Check back with CTECS.

7. Do you offer refunds or credits for this assessment?

Refunds and credits are not necessary since billing is only for used test tickets.

8. Do you offer paper/pencil tests? 

No.

9. Are there resources available to aid in studying for this exam?

Curriculum is the responsibility of the instructors.

10. What testing accommodations are allowed for 504/SPED or limited English proficiency (LEP) students?  

An automatic test-time extension in the amount of 120 minutes (for a full testing duration of 240 minutes) is added by request as part of student registration by the test site administrator.

Enrollment Questions

11. May a student take the assessment more than one time?

No

12. How can I ensure that I receive e-mail messages regarding E-SESS login information and student enrollment?

After you submit the Test Site Administrator webform and receive your ESESS login (the testing system), an automatic email message is sent. Make sure that you can receive email from [email protected] (our online test provider). Add this address to the “safe sender/never block list” in your email program or ask the IT staff to make sure that messages from this sender are not blocked. For technical difficulties during the test, call CTECS immediately (our office hours are typically M-F, 8am-4:30pm Eastern)

Administering the Test 

13. Must students click the “Save Answer” button then the “Next” button when taking the assessment?

Answers are automatically saved every three to five clicked answers, so once the answer is selected, students can click the Next button to view the next question. Students may take the test in “Review” mode, which provides a scrollable list of questions rather than advancing window by window, one question at a time.

14. May students begin the test, stop, then finish the test later? 

No, testing time cannot be chunked unless a school emergency interrupts the testing period. See qualifying events.

15. May students use calculators when taking the exam?

Yes, they may use the calculator provided on the assessment screen. They may choose to use a handheld, 10-function, scientific calculator as well. See About the Tests for more.

16. How does the text-to-speech (audio) feature work?

There is no audio available at this time.HVAC Formula Reference Sheet