Kansas Computerized Assessments

System Requirements | KCA System Requirements

KCA System Requirements

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Hardware

Memory:

  • 64MB of RAM. 128MB recommended.
  • Running the Kansas Computerized Assessments requires an average of 32 MB of memory. Under normal conditions, a system with 64 MB of RAM should suffice to run the application; however, if your computer is simultaneously running several applications, the KCA's performance could be affected.

Display:

  • Monitors should have a resolution of at least 800X600 pixels. Video adapters should have at least 8 MB of memory.
  • For MAC systems we strongly recommend to set the Dock system to the "Right" position and "Automatically Hide" mode; otherwise the Dock system could interfere with the testing environment.

CPU Processor:

  • 300 MHz or higher.

Additional Requirements for Audio Accommodations


Windows:

  • Supported on Windows 98 and above.
  • Your computer must have a sound card with necessary drivers installed and at least 128 MB of RAM.
  • If you are using an older version of Windows, like Windows 98 or ME, you need to download and install the Microsoft SAPI 5.1 Redistributable, in case you don't have it already installed.
  • You need to install the Cepstral David voice for Windows.
  • It is not required to set Cepstral David as the default voice on the computer.
  • For more information about using Audio Accommodation follow the instructions on the Audio Accommodation page.

Mac:

  • Supported on Mac OS X 10.3.9 to 10.5.6.
  • Macs usually have the necessary hardware and software to support audio accommodation; no additional installation is necessary.
  • You need to install the Cepstral David voice for Mac OS X.
  • It is not required to set Cepstral David as the default voice on the computer.
  • For more information about using Audio Accommodation follow the instructions on the Audio Accommodation page.

Operating System:

  • Windows 98, NT, ME, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista
  • Mac OS X
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Internet Connectivity and Security:

  • Allow connections to the Internet using HTTP and HTTPS protocols on port 80 and 443.
  • Allow communication to the following servers:
    • http://kca.cete.us
    • https://kca.cete.us
    • http://kca3.altec.org
    • https://kca3.altec.org
    • http://kca3.cete.us
    • https://kca3.cete.us
    • http://updates.altec.org
    • http://updates.cete.us
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Bandwidth:

  • The bandwidth demands directly depend on the sizes and nature of the items in the test to be taken by your students (number of items, how graphically intensive the items are, etc). As an illustration and for planning purposes let's determine the testing capacity of a school with a T1 connection and assuming an average test size of 60KB:
  • Bandwidth available: T1 - 1.54 Mbps or 1540 Kbps
  • Assuming a practical 30-second timeframe for all students to login concurrently we have:
  • 1540Kbps * 30sec = 46200 Kbits capacity
  • Test size: 60KB or 480 Kbits
  • Testing capacity: 46200Kbits / 480Kbits = 96 users
  • A T1 connection can support at least 64 users. However, assuming a longer than 30-second concurrent login time for your students, you could increase your network testing capacity. Several schools have reported successful testing of up to 150 students simultaneously with a T1 connection.
  • To increase your testing capacity even more, we have developed a Local Caching Server (LCS) technology. A LCS caches the test data in a school or district level server reducing up to 70% the bandwidth requirements.
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Additional Software:

  • The student tutorials require Flash version 7r63 or higher.
  • We recommend the most current version of Flash for best performance. If you need to update your version of Flash, visit the Flash Player Download Center.
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