Preparing MacBooks for State Testing
To prepare your device for state testing, please:
- Update your device (only if not on MacOS 13 or later)
- Download the TestNav app via Self Service and open it (if not already installed)
- Add the TestNav app to your dock (if not already shown)
- Disable Siri
- Charge your device the night before
- Disable Screen Time (if applicable)
If you have any issues with the below steps, please open a support ticket.
- Updating Your Device (Only If not Already on MacOS 13 or later)
- Locating the TestNav App
- Installing TestNav from Self-Service (If not already installed)
- Adding TestNav to Your Dock (If not already there)
- (For PHS AP/PSAT testing only) Locating and opening the Bluebook App
- Disable Siri
- Charge Your Device
- Disable Screen Time (if applicable)
Updating Your Device (Only If not Already on MacOS 13 or later)
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 Sonoma 14.7.
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 14.7 Sonoma" 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.
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 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.
Installing TestNav from Self-Service (If not already installed)
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.
Adding TestNav to Your Dock (If not already there)
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.
(For PHS AP/PSAT testing only) Locating and opening the Bluebook App
The Bluebook app is the program used for AP/PSAT testing.
To begin, let's make sure you have the Bluebook App on your device and then test that it opens and is the most current version (currently 1.13.3 10/15/24).
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 and check the version matches the below image.
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.
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: 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.
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 (13):
- 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(12):
- 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.