On-screen tests

We offer on-screen testing for the externally assessed unit of Digital Employability Entry 3 and Level 1 qualifications. The unit and the test are common to both qualifications. This page explains how to prepare for and run these on-screen tests, including running practice tests.

To offer OCR on-screen tests, you need to become approved and then set up to use the on-screen test system, Surpass: 

1. To become an approved centre, complete the vocational qualification approval form.
2. To confirm you can use the on-screen test system, check your computers meet the minimum specifications for running Surpass. 
3. We’ll set up your centre in Surpass and you’ll receive a link to activate your account. 
4. To log in and get started, you’ll need to set up your account.

Once your centre is approved and set up in Surpass you’ll need to create your candidates within the on-screen test system. You do not need to make any other entries. For more information on this, view this video. Make sure you associate your candidates with their test subjects.

The software required to deliver the on-screen tests is known as SecureClient and this must be installed on all test computers.

To confirm you can use SecureClient, check your computers meet the minimum specifications required. You can download SecureClient and view troubleshooting advice in the Secure Delivery tab.

To sit a test, each candidate must be scheduled in Surpass:

• We will schedule the live tests for candidates you make unit test entries for.
• You can schedule practice tests using the schedule test wizard. 

For every schedule created, one or more records are added to the Schedule screen. For live tests, these will be locked 5 days before the start date. For practice tests, they will be locked 24 hours before the start date. Once locked, a keycode is created for each scheduled candidate. You can view keycodes in the Invigilate screen. The candidates need to enter their keycodes to start their test and a PIN may optionally be used as well.

Before any test sitting the room should be set up and the equipment prepared taking the relevant JCQ Instructions for conducting examinations into account. 

The JCQ notice to candidates can be read out or be shared with the candidates.

You can download tests in advance if the Internet connection is slow, unreliable or you want the tests to be sat offline. 

During the test sitting, the invigilator can monitor the candidate’s progress from the Invigilate screen in Surpass from where it is possible to: 

• Set or remove a PIN
• Modify the test duration (up to 25% extra) for candidates requiring reasonable adjustments
  
• Print an invigilation pack and keycode slips
  
• View the status (Ready, Downloaded, In Progress, Finished) of tests and ensure no tests are left in Awaiting Upload status
  
• Pause and resume tests in an emergency. 

Practice tests allow you to become familiar with the assessments and give candidates an idea of the type of questions they may face in a live test. The practice tests can be delivered in two ways:

• Scheduled within Surpass – The practice tests can be scheduled and then sat in SecureClient in the same way as a live test. For unit 1C, candidates can see their result and review their responses. For unit 2C, candidates can review their responses which can be marked by a teacher to generate a result. After this, the teacher can view the result reports to see how well a candidate has performed in each area.
• Anonymously in the Surpass Viewer from the links below – The practice tests have feedback enabled. For unit 1C, candidates can see their result and review their responses. For unit 2C, candidates can review their responses.
  

Note that you will need to download and install Surpass Viewer to run these practice tests anonymously.

Please be aware that you will need to install Surpass Viewer to use these tests. Please download the viewer here

Try our practice tests for on-screen Digital Employability:

For Digital Employability tests, candidates use SecureClient to sit the test. In most cases, this restricts access to other applications on the computer. 

The candidate navigates through the test entering their responses, accessing any linked source material and uploading worked files as required by the test. The time remaining is displayed at the top of the screen and warnings pop up at five and 15 minutes remaining. 

The candidate can finish the test before the time expires and the completed test is uploaded if an Internet connection is present. 

Once complete the tests show with a Finished status on the Invigilate tab.

The results of all live and unit 1C practice tests taken are available to view in the Results screen in Surpass. The results of the unit 2C practice tests taken are only available to view in the Results screen if they are marked by a teacher.

Several reports including unofficial result slips for all tests and detailed learner feedback can be generated in the Results screen. 

All achievements and candidate marks (which are not available within Surpass) can be viewed in Interchange.