Preparing MacBooks for State Testing

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 the district is supporting is Ventura 13.6.3.  

To check what system you have installed please click on the Apple Menu in the upper left of your screen and then click "About This Mac" which will show you what version of MacOS you are currently running.  If it shows macOS Ventura (13) or Sonoma (14) then you can skip this "Updating Your Device" section.  If it shows macOS Monterey (12) or lower (11, 10) then proceed to the directions below:

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 13.6.4 Ventura" installer. Click on the "Upgrade" button. (This process can take up to an hour to complete.  We recommend running it before you go to bed with it plugged into power and the screen opened.)

Your computer will automatically restart once the upgrade is complete.

Pearson TestNav is the program used for state testing.

To begin, let's make sure you have TestNav on your device and then test that it opens

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 it to open TestNav and if no errors show, please skip ahead to the "Disable Siri" section of this guide.

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.

4:  Please now open the TestNav app to check for any errors.  If none then continue to the next section. 

** PLEASE NOTE: If TestNav isn't in your Applications folder, please following the directions for installing TestNav onto your device 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.

Once installed please try to open TestNav, if no errors occur please move on to the next step.

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.  Once added, please open the app to check for any errors.  If none, proceed to the next step of this guide.

The Bluebook app is the program used for AP testing.

To begin, let's make sure you have the Bluebook App on your device and then test that it opens

STEP 1: Look on your dock at the bottom of your screen. If you see the Bluebook App in your dock (like in the image below) please click it to open Bluebook and if no errors show, you can skip to the "Disable Siri" section.

STEP 2: If you do not see Bluebook 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" and locate Bluebook:

3:  Please open the Bluebook App.  If it opens with no errors then you can move on to the "Disable Siri" section of this guide. 

STEP 3:  If you do not see Bluebook in your Applications Folder open the Self Service app

1:  To install Bluebook on your device, begin by clicking on the Self Service icon in the dock.

2:  Once Self Service is open, locate the Bluebook Installer and press Install.

3:  Wait until the install completes and then the "Install" button should change to "Open".  Click the Open button to verify Bluebook opens without error.  If no errors occur you may continue to the "Disable Siri" section of this guide.

If you have any issues with these steps, please open a support ticket. 

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: You may see one of 2 screens. If on macOS 12 or earlier, Click on the Siri icon.

If you are on macOS 13 or later click on Siri & Spotlight and then click on the Ask Siri switch.

Step 4: Click the checkbox next to "Enable Siri".

Step 5: Make sure that the checkbox is empty. Siri is now disabled.

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 (13):

1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu  > System Settings, then click Screen Time in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)
2. If you’re using Family Sharing, click the pop-up menu on the right, then choose your child’s name.
3. Turn off Screen Time.

For MacOS Monterey(12):

1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Screen Time. 
2. 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.
3. Click "Options" in the lower-left corner of the sidebar.
4. Click "Turn Off" in the upper-right corner.