Preparing MacBooks for State Testing
To prepare your device for state testing, please:
- Update your device
- Download the TestNav app via Self Service
- Add the TestNav app to your dock
- Disable Siri
- Charge your device the night before
- Disable Screen Time (if applicable)
- Updating Your Device
- Locating the TestNav App
- Installing TestNav from Self-Service
- Adding TestNav to Your Dock
- Disable Siri
- Charge Your Device
- Disable Screen Time (if applicable)
Updating Your Device
In order for TestNav to run smoothly, the operating system on your device should be updated to the most recent. Currently, the most recent operating system is Ventura 13.2.1.
Here is a video tutorial that shows how to upgrade your operating system. The directions are also written out below.
PLEASE NOTE: The update may take up to 45 minutes. Please make sure your device is plugged into a power source during this update.
Step 1: Plug your device into a power source.
Step 2: Click on the Self Service icon in the dock.
Step 3: Locate the "Upgrade to MacOS 13.2.1 Ventura" installer. Click on the "Upgrade" button.
Your computer will automatically restart once the upgrade is complete.
Locating the TestNav App
Pearson TestNav is the program used for state testing.
To begin, let's make sure you have TestNav on your device.
STEP 1: Look on your dock at the bottom of your screen. If you see the TestNav app in your dock (like in the image below), please click HERE.
STEP 2: If you do not see TestNav in your dock, please look in your Applications folder.
1. Click on the Finder app in your dock.
2: In the left-hand navigation bar, click on "Applications".
3: Scroll down to TestNav.
** PLEASE NOTE: If TestNav isn't in your Applications folder, please following the directions for installing TestNav onto your device from Self-Service.
Installing TestNav from Self-Service
If you do not have TestNav on your device, please follow the instructions on this page.
Here is a video tutorial that shows how to install TestNav using the Self Service app. The directions are also written out below.
Step 1: To install TestNav on your device, begin by clicking on the Self Service icon in the dock.
Step 2: Once Self Service is open, locate the TestNav Installer and press Install.
The install button, once pressed, will change to the following icon:
Wait until the entire circle is blue. This will indicate the installation of TestNav is done.
Adding TestNav to Your Dock
Here is a video tutorial that shows how to add TestNav to the dock. The directions are also written out below.
STEPS
Step 1: Click on the Finder app in your dock.
Step 2: In the left-hand navigation bar, click on "Applications".
Step 3: Scroll down to TestNav.
Step 4: Click and drag the TestNav app to the dock. Make sure that the other apps in the dock shift over to make room.
Disable Siri
In order for TestNav to run smoothly, all applications and windows need to be closed and disabled. Here is a video tutorial that shows how to disable Siri. The directions are also written out below.
Step 1: In the menu bar at the top of the page, click on the Apple icon.
Step 2: Click on System Preferences.
Step 3: Click on the Siri icon.
Step 4: Click the checkbox next to "Enable Siri".
Step 5: Make sure that the checkbox is empty. Siri is now disabled.
Charge Your Device

Charge the battery. Connect your MacBook Air to a power outlet using the district supplied cable and power adapter.
Show battery status in menu bar. Add an icon to your menu bar so you can quickly see information about your battery and open Battery Settings.
In System Settings, click Control Center.
Click Battery on the right, then turn on Show in Menu Bar. You can also choose to show battery percentage in the menu bar.
Check the battery’s charge. Look at the battery status icon at the right of the menu bar to see the battery level or charging status. Or go to System Settings and click Battery in the sidebar.

Customize battery settings. You can set different options for your battery in System Settings.
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Optimized Battery Charging: This feature helps to reduce the wear on your battery and improve its lifespan by learning your daily charging routine. It delays charging the battery past 80% when it predicts that you’ll be plugged in for an extended period of time, and aims to charge the battery before you unplug. In System Settings, click Battery in the sidebar, click
by Battery Health, then turn on Optimized Battery Charging.
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Low power mode: This option reduces energy usage and increases battery life. This is a good option for travel or when you’re away from a power source for an extended period of time. In System Settings, click Battery, then choose from the options in the “Low power mode” dropdown.
Note: To customize other advanced settings, like enabling power nap, automatic graphics switching, and when to wake for network access, click Options in Battery Settings.
To charge the battery on MacBook Air with M2 chip, use the MagSafe 3 port with the USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable connected to the power adapter, or one of the Thunderbolt ports with a USB-C Charge Cable connected to the power adapter. To charge the battery on MacBook Air with M1 chip, use either of the Thunderbolt ports and the USB-C Charge Cable connected to the power adapter.
Note: With the USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable and optional 67W USB-C Power Adapter, you can fast charge the MacBook Air with M2 chip up to 50 percent in 30 minutes.
Battery usage history. Go to System Settings and click Battery to see your battery’s usage over the past 24 hours or the last 10 days.

Conserve battery power. To extend battery life on a given charge, you can reduce the display brightness, close apps, and disconnect peripheral devices you’re not using. In System Settings, click Battery in the sidebar to change your power settings. If your MacBook Air is in sleep when a device is connected to it, the device’s battery may drain.
Disable Screen Time (if applicable)
In preparation for next week's NJSLA exams, the tech office is identifying devices that may need settings adjusted. Your child’s device may have the Screen Time option turned on which we have found may interfere with state testing and questions loading properly in the Test Nav app.
Please turn off Screen Time during the testing windows by completing the following steps:
For MacOS Ventura:
- On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Screen Time in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)
- If you’re using Family Sharing, click the pop-up menu on the right, then choose your child’s name.
- Turn off Screen Time.
For MacOS Monterey:
- On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Screen Time.
- If you’re using Family Sharing, click the pop-up menu in the sidebar, then choose yourself. If you aren’t using Family Sharing, you won’t see a pop-up menu in the sidebar.
- Click "Options" in the lower-left corner of the sidebar.
- Click "Turn Off" in the upper-right corner.