Step 1: Log In and Find the Test
Start by logging in to ChalkTalk.
Once you're in ChalkTalk, find the orange sidebar on the left and click the Tests tab.
Click the Test 1 button, then select the test sitting you wish to complete first.
After clicking on the test, you can see the test duration by referring to the Duration column on the student roster.
Important Note: It's best to plan your test sittings around your class period. For example, if a testing session takes 30 minutes to complete and you have a 45-minute class period, you shouldn't start another testing session until the next time the class meets.
Step 2: Unlock the Test
After selecting the test, you will see a roster of students for your class.
Click the blue Unlock Test button in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.
When you unlock the test, you'll be prompted to confirm you want to unlock it and set an Auto Lock window. Make sure you set this window for longer than the test duration. You'll also have the option to auto-submit the exam once the unlock window ends.
For example, let's say the exam duration is 30 minutes and you set the unlock window to 24 hours. A student starts the exam 10 minutes before the 24-hour window expires.
If Auto-submit is ON (checked), their exam will be force-submitted after 10 minutes, even though they had 20 minutes left.
If Auto-submit is OFF (unchecked), the exam will pause after 10 minutes, and their progress will be saved. If you unlock the exam again later, they can resume with 20 minutes remaining.
Students who completed and submitted the exam before the unlock window expires aren't affected.
Once the test is unlocked, checkboxes will appear next to each student's name.
You can also adjust the number of students you see on the screen by changing the Rows per page count.
Step 3: Grant Extended Time (if needed)
You can give students extended time for the test, which is often necessary for IEP or 504 accommodations.
Example for Extend Time
A student is diligently working on the test but is a slow reader or has a 504 plan for extra time. They reach the end of the allotted time with only five questions left to answer. You would click Extend Time to allow them to finish their valid work without restarting. Their progress is saved, and they simply get more minutes to complete the remaining questions.
Find the student(s) who require extended time and click the checkbox next to their name(s).
In the upper right corner of the roster, click the dropdown menu and select Extend Time.
A blue button with the words Extend Time will appear. Enter the additional time you want to grant in minutes.
Remember that this time is added to the original duration of the test. For example, if the test is 60 minutes and you enter 30, the student's total time will be 90 minutes.
Step 4: Reset a Student's Progress (when necessary)
Progress should only be reset in special circumstances.
Example for Reset Progress
A student begins a test but is called to the office for an early dismissal after answering only one question. The student can't finish the test in the same sitting. In this case, you may want to Reset Progress so that when they return, they can take the test from the very beginning with a blank slate, ensuring their score is based on a single, complete sitting.
Click the checkbox next to the student's name.
In the upper right corner of the roster, click the dropdown and select Reset Progress (the same area where you found Extend Time).
Once you do this, the Reset Progress button will turn blue.
Click the button and the student's progress will be reset, and they can start the test fresh.
Important Note: If a student's test has already been submitted (either by the student or due to the time expiring), you can still unlock the test for them. You can then grant them extended time or reset their progress as needed. Extending their time will change their status to Paused, while resetting their progress will change their status to Not Started in the Status column of the roster.