About assessments

An assessment is often a test, quiz, or Path Builder. When you take an assessment, you have to answer the questions without asking for help. You answer assessment questions in the MyLab player, and you can select the player's Help icon for assistance on using the player, taking an assessment, and using JAWS.

You can choose a test to take from the Course Home, the Assignments Due page, or one of your Learning Paths. If there is more than one version of a test, you have to choose the version you want to take. To choose a version, select its name. The number of completed attempts must be less than the number of attempts allowed. For example, if the Attempts column for a test version says "2 of 3," you can take that version of the test again. If it says "3 of 3," you have used up all attempts for that version. If you don't know which version to choose, ask your instructor.

Next you see the Are you ready to start? page. This page gives you information on the test, including whether or not the test has the Save for later option. If not, you have to finish the test in a single session. Selecting Start on the "Are you ready to start?" page either opens the assessment in the player or launches ProctorU.

A ProctorU screen means that your work on the assessment will be automatically and remotely monitored. You'll also be required to complete a checklist of ProctorU requirements before gaining access to the assessment. See About ProctorU Auto and Start an assessment for details.

When you complete an assessment, a test summary shows your results. Depending on your instructor, you might be able to retake an assessment.

Your instructor may require all students to use the Pearson LockDown Browser when taking a test. However, the Pearson LockDown Browser is incompatible with JAWS. If an assessment is presented in the lock-down browser or you are asked to install the lock-down browser, you will need to complete the assessment on a laptop or desktop system.

Types of assessments

Depending on your course and your instructor's preferences, your course might include the following types of assessments:

• A Mastery Quiz, in an ACCUPLACER//MyLab course, is an assessment that proves you have mastered a topic. For example, after you complete the activities in the Adding and Subtracting Fractions topic, you have to take a Mastery Quiz to prove that you've mastered this topic.
• A Path Builder identifies the modules in a Learning Path that you need to study. For example, a Mathematics Path Builder might show that you need to study the Fractions module but not Whole Numbers module.
• An Initial Locator Test measures your current reading level and identifies the readings that are appropriate for your level. You can take this assessment only once. This assessment appears only in the Reading Level Learning Path.
• A Skills Check identifies the topics in a module that you need to study. For example, a Mathematics Skills Check might show that you need to study the Adding and Subtracting Fractions topic, but not the Simplifying Fractions topic.
• A Post-test proves that you have mastered a topic. For example, after you complete the activities in the Adding and Subtracting Fractions topic, you might need to take a Post-test to prove that you've mastered the topic.
• A Mastery Check proves that you have mastered all the modules in a Learning Path. For example, after you complete all the modules in your Math Learning Path, you might need to take a Mastery Check.

See also:

Review an assessment summary | Take locked-down tests and quizzes