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When a student responds to a test item, that response is first saved in a saved response file (SRF), and then sent to the Pearson server. This is done to ensure student responses are not lost. The next test item will not be presented to the student until it is confirmed that the response to the current test item has been safely recorded in either an SRF or the Pearson server. The backup files are updated as a student navigates from the item or periodically when answering writing items.
If recorded successfully on the Pearson server, TestNav automatically deletes the response file from the SRF. This generally happens in milliseconds unless the connection to the Pearson server is congested or interrupted. On a busy network, with many testing computers attempting to send student test item responses concurrently, network congestion can occur. These backups prevent delays in testing while safeguarding student responses.
This setup task must be performed before test sessions are created. This task only needs to be done one time per test administration, unless a change is required. If that happens, the initial settings you enter now can be changed at any later date.
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Whether you are using test content caching or not, you should check and configure your response file backup locations. TestNav has a default setting for the primary location where it stores student response files. A primary save location is required. As a best practice, Pearson recommends using both a primary and secondary backup location.The default setting works well for most situations, but you may change it. Choose backup locations that allow student accounts to have complete read and write access. Your options are to place the backup files in a directory on the computer the student is using (TestNav client) to take the test or in a directory on a network file server. If you use a network file server as a backup location, whether primary or secondary:
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Use these steps to edit the default settings for the primary backup location and add a secondary backup location, as desired.
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From Setup > TestNav Configurations, search to find configuration(s) or click the down arrow next to the Search button to reveal and select the option to show all results. Select the configurations(s) you wish to edit.
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Open the task list and select Create / Edit TestNav Configurations. Click Start.
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You can edit default settings for the primary backup location and add a secondary backup location. For information about TestNav, response file backups, and backup locations, refer to Set up and Use TestNav.
When specifying the SFTP path, the port number is optional. The default port number is 22.
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Pearson recommends the following format for the SFTP backup location (port is optional):
sftp://<userid>:<password>@<address>:<port>/path.
Step-by-Step
From Setup,select TestNav Configurations.
Type the configuration name into the search field, and click Search.
Click the checkbox next to the configuration you want to edit.
Click Select Tasks, select Create / Edit TestNav Configurations, and click Start.
Type or select the cache configuration details or update an existing configuration.
For information about the other settings available on this page, see Configure TestNav for
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The following chart outlines the pros and cons of backup locations:
Backup Location Options | Pros | Cons |
Local directory on testing computer (TestNav client) | Uses less internal network bandwidth Test item delivery will not be delayed by waiting for files to be written to the networked drive | Backup file is not accessible from any other computer, so a student cannot easily move from one testing computer to another to complete a test without the need for an administrator to manually move the backup file. |
Directory on network computer | Backup file may be accessed from other computers, which is important if you have a hardware failure on a testing computer | Uses more internal network bandwidth |
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Click Save.
