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Expanding the CP
Test Directions
Software
Stuffit Expander
Step One: Download the Macintosh course pack from the appropriate course web site or acquire it by bringing me an unused 3.5 HD floppy disk during my office hours. A course pack is a Stuffit archive containing the material for the class, such as the notes, practice tests and practice test software. If you do not already have Stuffit Expander or another program to expand Stuffit files, you will need to download the free Stuffit Expander.
Once you have downloaded the course pack to your computer or have inserted
and opened the floppy disk containing the course pack, you will see something
like what is shown in the image below. Figure 1 is just an example-the
name of the course pack will vary with the course and this screen shot
was taken on a Macintosh running System 8.6.
Figure 1: The Stuffit Archive.
Step Two: You will need to expand the course pack. To do this, you will need a program such as the free Stuffit Expander. Stuffit Expander comes free with most Macintosh computers. If your computer doesn’t have the program, you can download it for free-there is a link on the class web site. Assuming Stuffit Expander is installed, you can expand the course pack by double-clicking it or by dragging it on the program’s icon. When the file has been expanded it will appear as a folder. After you open the folder, you will see something like what is shown in Figure 2. The actual content of a course pack depends on the course, so what you see will probably be somewhat different. The Word files can be opened in MS Word or another word processor. The Practice Test Software contains the practice test software and the practice tests. The instructions for this software are given next.
Figure 2: Course Pack Contents
Step One: Open the Practice Test Software folder. You will see something like what is shown in Figure 5. To start the test, double click on the icon or name MTOLT. Once the program starts running, you will see what is shown in Figure 3 on your screen.
Figure 3: Practice test software.
Step Two: If you want to view the program’s tutorial, click on the “Start Tutorial” button. If you want to take a practice test, click on the “Take Test” button. If you click this button, you will see the dialog shown in Figure 4. The dialog box you see will be a bit different than the one below. If you want to quit the program, click on the “exit” button. While the program states that it is for Online Testing, “online” means “on the computer” and not being on the internet. You do not need to be connected to the internet to take the practice tests. Yes, the name is needlessly confusing.
Figure 4: Opening dialog box for Microtest
III
Step Three: You should see something like what is shown in Figure 5. You should see a list of tests under the words “File Name:” in the left hand side of the dialog box. Click on the test you want to take and then click the “Okay” button. This dialog box can also be used to navigate around your computer to find other practice test files (assuming there are any others on your computer). You will then see what is shown in Figure 6.
Figure 5: Select a Test File...Dialog.
Step Four: You should now see the Name and ID Number dialog box (figure 5). The software uses the name and ID to create and save test results in case multiple people use the same program. Type in your name (or any name) in the Name field. Type in any four digit number (such as 4444 or 1234) into the ID number field. Click the “Okay” button to continue. You will then see something like what is shown in Figure 6.
Figure 6: Name & ID Dialog
Step Five: You should now see the practice test running (Figure 6). You can use the mouse to chose the answer (hitting the “T” key for true, the “F” key for false, the “a” key for “a”, etc. also works). The program will immediately tell you if you are correct or not. To move to the next question click on the blue button with the white arrow pointing right. You can also use the left and right arrow keys to navigate. To stop, click on the “Stop” button. When the test is done you will be given your score and then you can quit the program.
Figure 7: The practice test.
Last modified 4/25/2004