This section includes instructions for configuring different devices so they can run the assessments successfully. There are two options available for accessing the e-assessment platform, Direct Access and Alternative Secure Access, which provide different levels of security and may require the teacher invigilating the assessments to be more actively involved in monitoring students.
If the students are not using Direct Access, the device configuration process for each operating system is completed in two steps: the installation of the Safe Exam Browser (SEB) or Kiosk software and the configuration of that software.
Note: It is recommended to use the latest SEB version. The previous SEB version must be uninstalled from all devices. Use the SEB links below to download the latest version.
The security features of these technologies are implemented at the school-board level.
Device Diagnostic Check
A pre-administration hardware check will be available from the student login page of the e-assessment platform to help identify devices which may not run well with the SEB or Kiosk lockdown browsers or Direct Access to the e-assessment platform.
Platforms that are Supported
The e-assessment platform can be used on a variety of devices. Please consult the table below for more information.
| Operating System | Supported Browser List |
|---|---|
| Windows (Microsoft) | Google Chrome—updated version Mozilla Firefox—updated version Microsoft Edge—updated version |
| Mac OSX 10.13.6 High Sierra or higher (Apple, MacBook) | Safari—updated version Google Chrome—updated version Mozilla Firefox—updated version |
| Mac iOS (Apple, iPad) | Safari—updated version |
| Android (tablet) | Google Chrome—updated version |
| Google Chrome (Chromebook) | Google Chrome—updated version |
Note: The minimum recommended screen resolution for the devices to run the assessments is 768 x 1024. This allows any device the size of an iPad Mini or larger to be used.
Different operating systems and devices will require different browser locking software to run the assessments and will require different installation processes. Please refer to the specific device configuration instructions on this page to see the process for the different operating systems and devices.
Direct Access
There are two options available for accessing the e-assessment platform, which provide different levels of security. The Direct Access option requires the teacher invigilating the assessments to be more actively involved in monitoring students.
Through the Direct Access option, students will be able to access the assessments directly by logging in through the EQAO login page. This option does not need to be installed and allows for the use of third-party software.
Students can access the assessments in this way if they are using the following:
- Windows devices, Macs, Chromebooks, Android tablets and iPads (Note: For iPads, the assessments will not be in full screen mode)
- Chrome, Firefox, Edge or Safari
- the Read&Write for Google Chrome extension
- the Read&Write downloadable application
The assessments accessed in this way maintain a level of security comparable to that of the assessments run in the Kiosk application.
When a student navigates away from an assessment screen or minimizes a page while in an assessment, an icon will appear next to the student’s name on the invigilation page of the teacher platform as an alert that the student has navigated away from the assessment. The teacher will investigate and can dismiss the notification if the student has navigated away for a legitimate reason (for example, an online manipulative the student normally uses or an accommodation the student requires). If the student has navigated away from the assessment for a non-legitimate reason, the teacher can use the Report an Issue button to report the issue to be investigated by EQAO.
The Google Chrome extension bar is fully available when the assessments are accessed through the EQAO login page. This allows the student to use the Read&Write for Google Chrome or Google Translate extensions if the student requires these as part of an accommodation. The Google Chrome extension bar is not available for assessments administered through the SEB or Kiosk application. In addition, Google Chrome extensions are not currently available through the other browser lockdown methods. Students who will be using Google Chromebook devices and require these Google extensions will need to access the assessments through the EQAO login page in order to access these accessibility tools.
Instructions for students using direct access
1. Start your browser and open the EQAO website: www.eqao.com, and follow the steps below or log in by clicking the following link: https://eqao.vretta.com/#/en/login-student.
2. Select Login from the top right-hand corner of the web page.
3. From the Login page, select the Login button in the “Students” section.
4. Enter the access code provided by your teacher and your OEN and then click Sign In.
Students will be able to initiate the required browser extension or application following this process, prior to starting the assessments.
Safe Exam Browser Installation Instructions—Apple macOS
The operational assessments can be accessed only through the SEB using a valid configuration file. The SEB is a specialized web browser that restricts students’ access to external tools and resources while they are taking the assessments. The SEB-configuration file regulates access to system functions, other applications and other settings while also pointing the SEB to the assessments and performing a special “handshake” to validate security.
The SEB software can be downloaded for Mac and iPad devices through the following link: https://eqao.vretta.com/seb/SafeExamBrowser-3.1.dmg
Installing the SEB on macOS
1. Navigate to the About This Mac menu in your system menu bar to see whether the device is compatible with the SEB.
2. You will see a window listing the version of your operating system. The operating system must be higher than 10.13.6 to run the SEB for the assessments. In most cases, it is possible to upgrade the operating system at no cost, but it can take more than an hour.
3. Download the Safe Exam Browser Installer from the SEB website at https://eqao.vretta.com/seb/SafeExamBrowser-3.1.dmg.
Note: The assessments are compatible with up to version 3.1 of the SEB.
4. Double-click the .DMG file found in the downloads folder.
5. Drag the Safe Exam Browser icon, and drop it on the Applications folder icon to the right. You will be asked for an administrator username and password for the computer.
6. You can verify the installation by opening the Safe Exam Browser (via Spotlight). The SEB should open in a full screen with a message stating that it needs settings or a link to continue. This indicates that the installation of the program is complete.
Loading the SEB-Configuration File
In order to access the assessments, the system needs to be opened through the Safe Exam Browser using an SEB-configuration file. This file opens to a login screen that then opens directly to the assessments.
Note: The SEB-configuration file can be downloaded directly from the Administration Checklist in your account. If you do not have the SEB-configuration file, please contact your school board IT representative. The SEB file also needs a password to open. This password can also be downloaded directly from the Administration Checklist.
When setting up computers for the assessments, ensure all computers have the SEB opened before students begin. Please note that the software should not be opened directly. The SEB-configuration file in the downloads folder must be double-clicked.
Safe Exam Browser Installation Instructions—iPads
The operational assessments can be accessed only through the SEB using a valid configuration file. The SEB is a specialized web browser that restricts students’ access to external tools and resources while they are taking the assessments. The SEB configuration file regulates access to system functions, other applications and other settings while also pointing the SEB to the assessments and performing a special “handshake” to validate security.
The following instructions describe the process for downloading and accessing the SEB from iPads:
1. Download the Safe Exam Browser App from the Apple App Store. You can use this link to access the App Store listing.
Note: If, after you have downloaded the Safe Exam Browser app, you attempt to open it, you will be brought to a configuration page. You do not need to enter anything on this page. To access the assessment, you will need only to open the SEB-configuration file. See Step 2.
2. Download the SEB-configuration file onto your iPad. From your board IT or school administrator account, you can select the Download SEB Configuration File link and then click Download when presented with the confirmation.
3. Once the file is downloaded, navigate to the Downloads folder on your iPad, find the SEB-configuration file and open the file.
4. After you have opened the file, you will be asked to enter the SEB password. This password is also accessible from your board IT or school administrator account.
5. Entering the password will bring you to a login page.
Note: To exit the SEB, you will need to re-enter the SEB password. To relaunch the SEB, you will need to repeat steps 3 through 5.
Safe Exam Browser Installation Instructions—Windows
The operational assessments can be accessed only through the SEB using a valid configuration file. The SEB is a specialized web browser that restricts students’ access to external tools and resources while they are taking the assessments. The SEB-configuration file regulates access to system functions, other applications and other settings, while also pointing the SEB to the assessments and performing a special “handshake” to validate security.
Version 3.4.0 of the SEB can be downloaded for Windows through the following link: https://sourceforge.net/projects/seb/files/seb/SEB_3.4.0/SEB_3.4.0.480_SetupBundle.exe/download
Installing SEB on Windows
1. Download the Safe Exam Browser Installer from the SEB website at https://sourceforge.net/projects/seb/files/seb/SEB_3.4.0/SEB_3.4.0.480_SetupBundle.exe/download.
Note: The assessments are compatible with up to version 3.4.0 of the SEB.
2. Once the download is complete, run the SafeExamBrowserInstaller.exe file to initiate the installation.
You will be asked to allow the installation to make changes on your device. You must give this permission to proceed.
3. A window with an installation wizard will open. Click Next to proceed. Select “I accept the terms in the license agreement.” Click Install and then Finish.
4. Click Start, and then find Safe Exam Browser to run the program.
5. The following alert may appear: “You have installed Safe Exam Browser (SEB), but it isn’t configured yet.” This indicates that the installation of the program is complete, but the program is not yet configured.
Loading the SEB-Configuration File
In order to access the assessment, the system needs to be opened through the Safe Exam Browser using an SEB-configuration file. This file opens to a login screen, which then opens directly to the assessments.
Note: The SEB-configuration file can be downloaded directly from the Administration Checklist in your account. If you do not have the SEB-configuration file, please contact your school board IT representative. The SEB file also needs a password to open. This password can also be downloaded directly from the Technical Readiness Checklist.
When setting up computers for the assessments, ensure all computers have the SEB opened before students begin. Please note that the software should not be opened directly. The SEB-configuration file in the downloads folder must be double-clicked.
Chrome Kiosk Installation Instructions—Chromebook
The Kiosk application can be used on Chromebook devices to restrict a student’s ability to access external resources or tools outside the assessments. Within the Kiosk application, students cannot access the Internet or take pictures or screenshots. Kiosk mode does not affect the student’s ability to interact with the questions or use the assessment tools.
Note: The Kiosk application requires version 87 or higher of Chrome.
Installing the Kiosk App on a Chromebook
1. On the Chromebook, open the Chrome browser.
2. Go to the Chrome Web Store at https://chrome.google.com/webstore/.
3. In the search box near the top-left corner of the screen, enter “Kiosk” and click Apps. A list of apps similar in name will appear. You can also go directly to https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/kioåsk/afhcomalholahplbjhnmahkoekoijban.
4. Locate the Kiosk app in the list and click it. Once on the app page, click Add to Chrome.
5. Click Add app in the confirmation screen as shown below:
6. The Kiosk app will be added to your Chromebook and will appear on the home screen.
Setting Up the Kiosk App
Note: Before you can set up Kiosk, you will need the Kiosk Policy Document. This document can be downloaded directly from the Administration Checklist, which is accessible from your account on the website platform. If you do not have the Kiosk Policy Document, please contact your school board IT representative.
1. Click Kiosk on the home screen (as displayed in the picture above). The following settings screen will be displayed:
2. Navigate to the bottom of the screen. Click Import Policy and upload the Kiosk Policy Document that you downloaded.
3. Select the “Clear Cache on Save” box; then click Save & Restart.
4. The Kiosk app will launch in a full screen to the URL in the policy document. You are now ready to begin the assessments.
Exiting the Kiosk App
If you want to change the settings in the Kiosk app or exit the Kiosk app when the assessments are complete, follow these steps:
Note: The username and password for Kiosk can be found in the Administration Checklist.
1. Press “ctrl + a” simultaneously on the keyboard.
2. Enter the username and the password you received when downloading the Kiosk Policy Document, and click Go.
3. Once you are back in the settings for Kiosk, press “ESC” on the keyboard.
4. The Chromebook shelf will appear at the bottom of the screen. You can right-click the Kiosk icon and select Close.
5. You have now exited the Kiosk app and are finished.
Relaunching the Kiosk App or Removing It
1. To relaunch the Kiosk app and access the assessment login screen, simply select Kiosk on the home screen.
2. To remove the Kiosk app from the Chromebook, click the extensions icon in the home screen, find the Kiosk app and click Remove.
3. If you need to reinstall the Kiosk app, repeat the steps for installation above.
Direct access for schools using SEB or Kiosk
If a student has an assistive-technology accommodation checked off in the “Accommodations and Special Versions” section of the student information page and requires specific accessibility software that is not compatible with the SEB or the Kiosk application, the student will be able to access the assessments directly by logging in through the EQAO login page. Refer to the Direct Access section for details on how to access the assessement through direct access.
School administrators will need to indicate which students require the specific software (for their assistive-technology accommodations) that is not compatible with either the SEB or the Kiosk application. Only these students will be permitted to access the assessments through the EQAO login page. Students not permitted to use this direct access method will receive an error message if they try to access the assessments in this way; they will only be able to access the assessments through the SEB or the Kiosk application.
System Validations (by Schools)
School administrators will be asked to validate that the lockdown software has been properly installed on the devices.