CTAS Requirements

CTAS Qualification Criteria

To administer ETS tests via the Internet, a testing center must become an ETS Certified Test Administration Site (CTAS) by registering for training and ETS authorization.

CTAS Facility Requirements

A. General Facility Requirements

  • 15 Internet-connected computers and cache proxy that are no more than three years old and meet current specifications
  • The ability to dedicate resources to testing
  • The ability to restrict other activities in the room during an estimated six-hour test period

B. Computer Requirements

  • Administrative Station: Required for image capture, candidate check-in and other administrative tasks
  • Cache Proxy (or IAS Local Server): Required for storing test delivery information and temporary storage of candidate results
  • Testing Stations: Required for delivering tests (one testing station per candidate)

C. Internet-delivered Tests Supported Operating Systems

  • Windows XP with SP3 (32-bit only)
  • Windows Vista with SP2 (32-bit and 64-bit)
  • Windows 7 with SP1 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Notes:

  • Support for Windows XP will be terminated in April 2014 to coincide with Microsoft’s “End of extended support” policy.
  • Windows 8 currently is not supported for ETS Internet-delivered testing, but support for Windows 8 is expected to be added in late June 2013.
  • Macintosh, iMac, Windows 2000, Windows Server and Linux Operating System are not supported.
  • The operating system should reside on and boot from the computer’s local hard disk. Virtual machines and thin clients are not supported.

D. iBT Supported Web Browser
Microsoft Internet Explorer ver. 6, 7, 8 or 9

E. Local Area Network and Internet Connectivity
All testing computers must:

  • Reside on a Local Area Network (LAN) in the same subnet allowing communications without blocking of any ports
  • Connect to the Internet via a broadband Internet connection such as DSL or better, allowing network communications to the servers residing in ETS.ORG domain via TCP port 80 and 443 with no content filtering of the network traffic

Note: We strongly recommend using a separate device for LAN (switch) and Internet connectivity (router) instead of using an integrated device.

F. Specifications for Administrative and Testing Stations

  • Minimum Processor: Pentium IV 1.8 GHz
  • Minimum Installed Memory: 1 GB
  • Free Disk Space: 150 MB
  • Display Adapter: 1024x768 resolution, with 32-bit color depth / 65,536 colors
  • Display Monitor Aspect Ratio: Must support an aspect ratio of 4:3
  • Display Monitor Screen Size:
    • CRT: 17-inch or higher
    • LCD: 15-inch or higher
  • Sound Card: 44.1 KHz (or better) sample rate

Note: Logitech® C210 and Microsoft® VX800 and Logitech® C170 webcams are approved for image capture at the Administrative Station. KOSS® SB45 headsets are approved for audio recording/playback on the Testing Stations.

G. Specifications for Cache Proxy (or IAS Local Server) Computers
Low-end CP for up to 20 candidates:

  • Minimum Processor: Core2Duo with minimum 2.66GHz
  • Minimum Installed Memory: 2GB
  • Minimum Free Memory: 1 GB
  • Minimum Free Disk Space: 2 GB

Mid-level CP for up to 40 candidates:

  • Minimum Processor: Core 2 Quad (>2.4 GHz)
  • Minimum Installed Memory: 3 GB
  • Minimum Free Memory: 1 GB
  • Minimum Free Disk Space: 2 GB

H. Test Center Configuration Tips
The test center technicians must review the technical configuration tips. This will help them in configuring the test center network and desktop environment for Internet-delivered tests.

CTAS Facility Administrator

  • verifying test registrations
  • seating students at individual computers
  • ensuring ETS testing software is working properly on each PC

Compensation

The test center receives compensation that is based on the number of computer workstations provided for each testing session.

How to Begin the CTAS Certification Process

To become a Certified Test Administration Site, please fill out an application.